I’ve been working and living in the city for several years,
so no wonder booking a high-profile makeup artist from Manila sounded rational
for me back then. Blooming, blushing, and natural - those are my three basic makeup requirements. I want it very simple, but elegant. I want my makeup to last long but without the appearance
and feel of cake on my face.
Initially, I wanted to get Hazel Gonzales of HG Studio and
Makeup. However, my mom, the primera contra bida (number 1 antagonist) slash
konsensya (conscience/voice of reason) of my life, said it’s not a good idea to
get someone from Manila when my wedding is in Bulacan, given the terrible traffic
situation we have these days.
True enough, this
happened to a friend who booked her HMUA from Manila for her Bulacan wedding. She arrived a
couple of hours late. Yes, she had time to do everybody’s makeup, but the whole
photo session schedule was messed up. Talk about how mothers in fact know best,
huh.
Fortunately, my cousin was also getting married a week
before us. We were exchanging contact
numbers and email addresses of suppliers, which made everything a tad easier. He
asked me who was doing my makeup and recommended Ate Mae Capulong of Makeup by
MaeCaps, who also happens to be his classmate back in high school. I was a bit
hesitant at first, but still went on and booked a trial session.
Trial Makeup Session
Supposedly, you can use your trial session for your prenuptial
pictures. That would be more cost-effective, since you’ll only pay once and get
to use it on purpose. Other makeup artists even give it away for free as part
of the whole wedding makeup package. For Makeup by MaeCaps (airbrush makeup
plus hairstyling) it costs 1,500 Php. This was her 2014 rate.
I had mine in August (three months before my wedding, but
you should definitely have yours earlier) when we haven’t even thought about
where and when to have our prenup yet. I wanted to see first how it would turn
out, if I’d like it or not before I book anyone and call for professional photographers,
of course.
My then fiancé (now husband) and I went to Ate Mae’s place
and immediately got down to business. Con, the resident hairstylist of
Makeup by MaeCaps, began prepping my hair, while Ate Mae did my makeup. Ate Mae took the photo above to show us how the makeup registers on the camera. I loved the result.
Personality wise, they were very warm, jolly, and easy to get along with. We instantly clicked and I knew right there and then that I’m booking them for my wedding. You see, the makeup artist will play a very important role in your wedding. She’ll be right there on the side lines and will spring into action if she sees you’re turning into a Shrek with all the sweat and stress of your wedding. You must get someone you’re comfortable with, not just someone who means business. This was a good call, because Ate Mae proved to be more than just a makeup artist during the big day. More on this later.
Personality wise, they were very warm, jolly, and easy to get along with. We instantly clicked and I knew right there and then that I’m booking them for my wedding. You see, the makeup artist will play a very important role in your wedding. She’ll be right there on the side lines and will spring into action if she sees you’re turning into a Shrek with all the sweat and stress of your wedding. You must get someone you’re comfortable with, not just someone who means business. This was a good call, because Ate Mae proved to be more than just a makeup artist during the big day. More on this later.
3 Looks, One Prenup Shoot
Ours was a six months engagement and we were only doing the wedding
preps on weekends since my fiancé and I are both based in Makati. Needless to
say, we were cramming by November with a lot of loose ends to fix. We already had our
good friend, Billy, take our improvised prenup shots earlier, so although it is
free, we originally didn’t want to avail of the prenup shoot included in our
photo video package, because we didn’t want the unnecessary expenses anymore
and we’re already super stressed with the whole prep plus we’re also swamped with
work in the office.
But folks from Wedding Sitters, our on-the-day coordinators,
encouraged us to have it. They said it was “sayang” and could just have it
around town if we were worried about the cost. Acknowledging their point, we reserved
a weekend with our photographers and Makeup by MaeCaps.
As usual, I was treated to the same flawless look. Under the
sweltering heat of our afternoon photo shoot, my makeup was infallible. There was
almost little to no need for retouch. Ate Mae sent Con to accompany me for
touch ups and she was the sweetest and most reliable.
My fiance also sat in Ate Mae's makeup chair, just a little airbrushing so our skin would still match in photos.
THE Day
A toothache I was nursing for the past 6 months decided to
act up just mere days before my wedding. I went to see my dentist and had a
minor tooth surgery, and one of my cheeks (guess which one) was still a wee bit swollen
on the morning of my wedding. I was very down and depressed because of this and
was seriously considering not pushing through with the whole thing the night
before.
But thank God for sending Ate Mae that
morning. When I was on the verge of breaking into tears, she talked to me in
private and told me things that were enough to bring back my confidence and quit
worrying about how I looked. She assured me how beautiful I was and that my cheek was already OK as a matter of fact, I was just the one making
a whole fuss about it. She acted like a real ate (big sister) to me. I needed
that no-BS talk that time. It sent me back to my senses in a snap.
After our little pep talk, I found myself smiling for the cameras and
forgetting about my insecurities. I focused on how overflowing my happiness was
during our wedding and how I didn’t want to spoil that wonderful feeling just
because I was too bent on worrying. Lo and behold, the best pictures I’ve ever
had in my entire life.
More than the stunning, elegant, and no-budge high-definition
makeup, I think Makeup by MaeCaps also succeeded in bringing out the most beautiful
version of me during our wedding day. Personally, I have nothing but praises and
thanks for this woman and I highly recommend her expertise. Getting married? Give her a call now.