Shirley Wu Reviews?

SanaMK · Jan 25th, 2009, 07:33 PM

Hey guys, for my wedding in september my in laws have suggested using shirley wu. Does anyone had any experience with her. I hear she charges about 500 bucks for a bridal thing. I'm not sure if what i want is worth it, coz i'm really a very light makeup wearer and don't intend to get a hair updo just curl the ends and leave it down. I was thinking just basic foundation and some eyeshadow, liner and mascara, would she still charge the same amount for limited makeup?

would appreciate any help

somegroovychick · Jan 25th, 2009, 09:11 PM

check the Weddings forum- there is a whole discussion on makeup artists in the gta and toronto in there.

naqsa · Jan 25th, 2009, 09:20 PM

Shirley Wu charges $300-350. My cousin went to her a few months ago. The make-up is not OTT but then again, everyone has their own preference. She's very sweet!

She doesn't apply a lot of foundation...so you'll be OK in that regard. I wish I could show you pictures but my cousin wouldn't like that :-(

skymoona · Jan 26th, 2009, 09:31 AM

she rocks! very natural make-up. Will make u look gorgeous!

Pareezay · Jan 26th, 2009, 09:50 AM

There's a guppan here Mystical Rain who got her makeup done by Shirley Wu on both days and looked absolutely gorgeous. She also said that Shirley was really great to work with.

Sweet_LiL_Hunnie · Jan 26th, 2009, 12:11 PM

you may not want to leave your hair down because your dupatta will be a bit more difficult to set and my best friend regrets doing a simple bun for her wedding day because the crown of her head did need more volume. something about when a bridal dupatta has a lot of volume just looks a bit more regal.

sweetNsour · Jan 26th, 2009, 12:20 PM

I heard a lot of positive reviews about her, as well as saw some gorgeous brides, plus she seems like a very nice person to talk to.

I have got her booked for my wedding day inshaAllah!

Chamak · Jan 27th, 2009, 07:17 PM

Shirley does a good job with makeup, is very personable and reliable, however I still don't understand why someone must pay $300+ for 1/2 hr-45 mins of makeup/putting on jewellery/hair (the last of which consists putting it in a bun because we all wear dupattas on our weddings). Prices for such service are skyrocketing and I'm sorry, but I feel that the costs can be lowered. I heard from an acquaintance who used Shirley for her daughters shadi that she paid $400 and the bride was ready in 1/2 hr. In this day and age, how can even middle class families who work so hard to pay for all the other shadi expenses afford these costs? Sorry, my 2 cents.

naqsa · Jan 27th, 2009, 07:52 PM

Chamak...the price is set by demand and supply. The demand for good bridal make-up is high whereas the supply (good make-up artists) is low. On top of that, MANY people do believe that make-up can make or break your whole look...so as long as people are willing to pay the $$$...unfortunately there is nothing that can be done.

As far as her spending 30 minutes goes...if I'm happy with the make-up then I shouldn't be concerned about how much money she made in that time. I took my cousin to a dentist for a root canal...the bill was $1500 and he did it in 45 minutes. What can one do? People who can offer a service that is perhaps unique or highly skilled...they make the dough!

somegroovychick · Jan 28th, 2009, 07:34 AM

bridal makeup doesn't take 1/2 an hour! what, did she just throw it on and leave?
i've heard good and bad things about shirley- both my friends who booked her looked stunning, but shirley got to one of them so late she had 15 minutes left for her bridal shoot! apparently overbooking is a concern.

meenz · Jan 28th, 2009, 09:57 AM

WOW !! 1/2 hour ???? I got my makeup for 3 days from Sabreena (Surma By Sabreena) Lovely lovely girl/lady (not much older than I am!!) She spent approx 2-3 hours each day - 3 hours on the reception day. She thoroughly cleansed my face, took her time and is such a perfectionist - I LOVED it !!! Even though I had a dupatta over my head for all 3 days, she still went all out and did these amazing hairstyles (it was all included - nothing extra). For all three days she gave me lipstick/lip gloss for touch ups which I thought was very sweet.

^pyari^sii^bachi^ · Jan 28th, 2009, 11:58 AM

I got my makeup done from shirley on mehndi, shadi, and valima. and I have nothing negative to say at all! she's super nice....very reliable. on the valima day, I couldn't make it to her place so she came all the way from markham to mississauga on a last minute call. and everyone loved the makeup. I highly recommend her.

sweetNsour · Jan 28th, 2009, 12:13 PM

^ u did look superrrrr gorgeous m'A! :-)

Chamak · Jan 28th, 2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meenz

WOW !! 1/2 hour ???? I got my makeup for 3 days from Sabreena (Surma By Sabreena) Lovely lovely girl/lady (not much older than I am!!) She spent approx 2-3 hours each day - 3 hours on the reception day. She thoroughly cleansed my face, took her time and is such a perfectionist - I LOVED it !!! Even though I had a dupatta over my head for all 3 days, she still went all out and did these amazing hairstyles (it was all included - nothing extra). For all three days she gave me lipstick/lip gloss for touch ups which I thought was very sweet.

Wow now that is thorough!!! She cleaned your face???? Plus spent 2-3 hours on you? I'm sure you feel like you got your moneys worth!

meenz · Jan 28th, 2009, 01:14 PM

^ Oh I definitely felt I got my money's worth. I recv'd soo many compliments from guests and I've recommended her to everyone. She actually suggested me to go to close relative or friends house (for the makeup) so that I could get away from the craziness in my house (had over 40 guests over) to relax and have some time to myself. And I'm so glad I did !! It totally calmed me down and made me relax.. I think I might have dozed off a bit while she was doing my hair

somegroovychick · Jan 28th, 2009, 01:24 PM

yeah thats what i mean... it takes a lot longer to get your makeup done than 1/2 an hour. zebi did the same for me too.

naqsa · Jan 28th, 2009, 06:13 PM

PSB - do you know what Shirley charges for engagement or mehndi make-up?

Oh and when I booked my friend's appointment, I TOLD Shirley that we want YOU to do the make-up and hair from beginning to end and she was like, that's how it is. I said I've heard that you use an assistant and she said, that in cases where I do use my asisstant, I let the bride know in advance.

I don't know...people may have had mixed experiences with her. I did find her to be pleasant, open to ideas, and QUICK.

^pyari^sii^bachi^ · Jan 28th, 2009, 09:25 PM

bridal make up for all three days is 350 $ ..unless you are going for party make up on mehndi and engagement..which is $175. She charged me 350 for the mehndi as well...my mother almost had a heart attack and thought it was a waste of money but i went for it anyway, and so glad i did! . Oh, and the 350 and 175 includes the hair, dupatta setting, and all that other stuff....when she's done with you..everything will be in place and you won't have to worry about a thing! make sure the dupatta on your head is pinned nicely though cause on the valima...i had a problem with it staying in my head where i wanted it :/ other then that, she was really good! I had heard the same thing aboout her sending her assistance over but as I got to know to her..I know for a fact that she comes herself unless she has otherwise specifically told you that her assistant is coming instead of her.....and i think people mean her bhabhi..because she does brides aswell. When shirley is completely booked she refers people to her bhabi.