Anyone Ever Used Merle Norman Cosmetics?

[MidwesternGal]

I am in a wedding in August, and the bride made us reservations at the local Merle Norman cosmetics studio. She said it's optional, since it's $25 (which can be applied towards the cosmetics). I'm trying to decide if I want to do it or not. . . . I'm a makeup junkie and like top-of-the line things and consider myself "above average" in my knowledge of how to apply, what to use, etc. I enjoy doing my own makeup, but love to have other people do it too--it's fun to see what the pros put on me as well. That's how I get a lot of my ideas and tricks.

However, I have always thought of Merle Norman as an "old ladies" cosmetics company, and for that reason, am leary of using them. The studios I've seen have been old-fashioned and kinda out-dated.

Has anyone had any experiences using them? Any pics to share?

THANKS in Advance!!!

[jeepgirl]

Just bumping up this thread and wondering this same thing! My wedding is just over two weeks away. I live in a smaller town, so no "MAC" makeup artists around, but we do have a BRAND NEW Merle Norman cosmetics store. They do bridal makeup for $50, which includes both a trial and "the day of" makeup.

Has ANYONE had any experience with them???

TIA!

[PG-rated]

I bought my wedding makeup at Merle Norman because my mom did hers there and made a double appointment. I found some of the makeup to be great (I really liked the eye and lip primers, the lip gloss and the makeup remover) and everything else to be just average. I got a trial application as part of my appointment and decided I could do just as well as the consultant, so I didn't book her for my wedding day.

Does $50 include the cost of makeup? If so, I'd say that's a good deal. I think I got the trial free with purchase (and we bought about $100 worth of makeup), but the day-of would've been extra.

[SweetRed]

I used Merle Norman makeup for my wedding day, although I just bought it and applied it myself. My brother's wedding was a couple of months before, so I used that as a trial run (first pic) and then did it again for my wedding day (second pic). I love a few items enough where I keep buying them to this day, but not my entire makeup kit.

Hopefully you don't think this looks too "old lady":

Close-up Bridesmaid Pic (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/kbon73/100_0615.jpg)

Close-up Bridal Pic (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/kbon73/ProPicsWedding/BridalPortrait2.jpg)

But yeah, I had the same opinion going in. I just decided to take a chance.

[jeepgirl]

I bought my wedding makeup at Merle Norman because my mom did hers there and made a double appointment. I found some of the makeup to be great (I really liked the eye and lip primers, the lip gloss and the makeup remover) and everything else to be just average. I got a trial application as part of my appointment and decided I could do just as well as the consultant, so I didn't book her for my wedding day.

Does $50 include the cost of makeup? If so, I'd say that's a good deal. I think I got the trial free with purchase (and we bought about $100 worth of makeup), but the day-of would've been extra.

The $50 just applies to having my makeup done for me - twice - once for the trial, once on the day of the wedding. I think if I want to buy any of the products, that would be extra.

I used Merle Norman makeup for my wedding day, although I just bought it and applied it myself. My brother's wedding was a couple of months before, so I used that as a trial run (first pic) and then did it again for my wedding day (second pic). I love a few items enough where I keep buying them to this day, but not my entire makeup kit.

Hopefully you don't think this looks too "old lady":

Close-up Bridesmaid Pic (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/kbon73/100_0615.jpg)

Close-up Bridal Pic (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/kbon73/ProPicsWedding/BridalPortrait2.jpg)

But yeah, I had the same opinion going in. I just decided to take a chance.


I think your makeup looks nice! :) I love your red hair with the green dress!!!

[MidwesternGal]

Hey hey, I'm the OP of this thread!!

I ended up doing my own makeup, mostly using Bobbi Brown stuff. I really liked how mine looked versus the other girls who got theirs done. I think my look was more "sophisticated." The bride and 1 BM looked very pretty and natural. . . another BM looked kinda odd, the colors were a bit strange. . . and the final BM was kinda ticked because her "signature" is black liner, top and bottom, and the woman would.not.do.it and she felt like she didn't look like "herself."

SweetRed--You and your BM looked GREAT!!!

My guess is that Merle Norman is just like any other make-up place--it really depends on the person doing your makeup.

If you have the money to spare, or are not very handy with makeup and makeup tools, then why not? Go for it!