BRIDAL MAKEUP & HAIR- FIVE TIPS TO CONSIDER WHEN BOOKING
Pexels Andrea Picquadio
Hello Brides!
Having fun planning details for your big day? Next on the list is MAKEUP & HAIR!!! If you want to know what to expect when looking for and booking a hair and makeup team, check out the quick list below.
How To Find The Pros
Shop around for someone reputable and of course someone you will be comfortable with. In a survey I sent out, I received many answers about what brides look for in a professional and most brides said the same things.
Here is a list of things to consider:
Do they fit in my budget?
Did a friend refer this person?
What do the reviews say?
Do they have a gallery?
What type of services are offered?
Personally, I think every bride should get a trial, so I offer a trial with all my packages but some artists choose an a la carte menu. During your search, ask all the questions you have to ensure you know what you’re signing up for. Some websites have an FAQ page you should check out.
Suggestion: This is BIG! Do not search for the cheapest makeup artist/hairstylist. Think about the market you are in. If you live near a major city, the market price is higher. If the artist is experienced, the price may be higher depending on level and time of the experience. You are paying for quality, experience, professionalism, and overall peace of mind.
Cheaper services may indicate the person is a new artist, self taught, or just desperate for any business. The difference between those two and the professional is that the professional was trained on diverse face types, products, and also taught how to disinfect products and tools and alot more. A professional does continual education to always learn because trends change. Your artist should be up to date on everything beauty and ready to give suggestions. It is a plus to have other services offered such as hair or skincare, so you can have the same person in your journey.
What Red Flags To Look For
Trust your gut instinct. As a professional makeup artist, I have heard stories from brides about their bad experiences. I chose to add the following tips to encourage awareness.
NO CONTRACT It benefits both of you. Signing a contract will protect you in case there are last minute occurrences. Remember, you do not want to be no showed on your important day. Most contracts will require a non refundable down payment to hold your date.
UNNECESSARY EXTRA FEES We all want what is fair. The artist wants to be paid for time, travel, and service and the client wants and deserves a service he/she asked for. It is normal to be charged a service price, processing fee, travel, delay time, and service upgrades; but any extra fees that don’t make sense should be questioned.
NOT ASKING YOU ABOUT YOURSELF If you have any allergies, scars, sensitivities, or preferences the artist should ask you before touching your face.
GETTING AN UNREALISTIC PRICE CUT This is not including your BFF who wants to give you the hook up, this is a “desperately want your business” deal so give it a thought before you book. Study your market and know what to expect for your area. Professionals maintain pro level products in their kit, and offering services for a very cheap rate doesn’t pay for good quality products and tools.
LACK OF COMMUNICATION If your experience in scheduling and contacting the pro has given you any doubts, think again before going through with booking.
NON HYGIENIC PRACTICES Professionals should maintain cleanliness. It is taught in school. This means no double dipping in cream products, not cleaning brushes in between each client, and using mascara or lip gloss without disposable applicators, or in the case of hair styling, not using combs and tools right after dropping them on the floor. Only clean items should be used on the client.
BAD REVIEWS We are aware that some people complain for the smallest things. Check the comments and reasoning for the poor review before passing by the artist. However, if the reviews have legitimate concerns, then move on to the next person on your list.
How Far In Advance Is The Trial Booked
Some vendors raise their prices yearly with the changing markets. The ideal time frame for most busy artists is to book at least 4-6 months in advance. This gives you plenty of time to consider what makeup and hair look you want and obtaining items such as accessories or extensions, etc. The trial can be scheduled about a month or two before your set date.
How To Prepare For The Trial
I send out an email with a prep guide prior to services so there are no questions. Here are few important things to know.
Concerning hair styling, make sure if you wash your hair prior to the trial you also remember to wash it before the wedding day. Styles can change in appearance based on hair condition. If you want extensions or specific accessories bring them with you for the trial to get an idea of what the overall look will be like.
When it comes to makeup, notify the artist of any allergies or skin sensitivities you have. Arrive with a clean, moisturized face. If you regularly get facials or other treatments such as hair removal, be sure to space out the appointments in case of any skin reactions. Remember leading to the wedding day, good sleep and hydration will help your skin look healthy.
What Happens During The Consultation
This is the fun part! The trial and consultation can take up to 2 hours. The H/MUA will go over your vision for the day. I usually ask my brides to show me pictures of how her daily makeup looks so that I can understand her comfort level, pictures of the dress, and other inspiration. If you are torn between a couple looks no worries- I’ve done two different looks on half of the face. If you have a preferred item like a lip gloss, bring it along!