cost of hair and make up?

[charliesgirl]

How much should be spent on hair and make up? I really wanted a professional, I really wanted to look my best but I think I'm getting ripped off. I paid $95 for a trial, $100 to hold the date and I owe another $200 on the day. She said it would be $200 but then after I already drove out there and had the $95 trial she told me she has a $300 minimum. (she will be travelling to my location) But each additional person would have been $70. So I suppose I've already paid for one more person to get their hair and make up done with another $30 credit. Sorry if that was confusing...

Is there a way I can check her out? I've googled her and I come up with her websit which looked very professional but I want to know if I can research her. Also, are there any associations or societies make up artists or hair stylists should belong to? Damn I should have asked these questions before I threw all that money at her.

[BridalMUA]

Hi Charliesgirl,
The cost for hair and makeup services varies greatly for a number of reasons:

1) The area you live in. Larger cities have higher prices for just about anything
2) The amount of experience the artist has (or claims to have)
3) The complexity of the look, if special items were needed (extensions, hair pieces, hair accessories, etc) that the artist paid for beforehand.

Many times artists will charge more for a preview because it generally takes twice as long as the day of because both of you are figuring out the look you will want and are constantly tweaking it. That said, she should have given you a set price during your initial conversation. If her minimum is $300, she should have made that clear to you in the beginning.
The best way to research a potential artist is to:
1) Ask for references. If the artist is unwilling to provide at least two, that should be a warning sign.
2) Ask around on this forum and others if anyone has used this person and their thoughts. I did a bride this past summer who had "the preview from hell" and went on three separate forums telling everyone NOT to use this artist, and she came to me. She was great, and we worked on finding a look she loved.

There are groups and unions hair and makeup artists can belong to, but this is generally for artists who work in the television and movie industry. Sadly, there are many artists or companies that have sub-par artists, but if they advertise in many places, how are you to know they aren't good?

The important question is: Did you love your look after the preview? If you didn't, you should:

1) Demand a second preview at no cost, or
2) Ask for a refund, minus the $95 for the preview.

I wish you the best of luck, and if you have any more questions you know where to come

[momcrouse]

We are paying someone to do our hair, but at the bridal show we just went to, there was a Mary Kay lady and she said she could come to the wedding and do our makeup - any of us who wanted. She was not pushy and didn't make us to buy her product. - Don't know if that will change - but we will see.

The best part about the whole thing - Mary Kay consultants are not allowed to accept money for their services.

Anyone else had this experience??

[BridalMUA]

The only problem I could forsee with that is that other than their eyeshadows...Mary Kay products aren't "professional quality" and they may read funny on the photographs, especially if any of the concealers or foundations have SPF in them. But if all turns out well, then what a stroke of luck for the bridal party!