How not to upset your potential makeup artist/hairstylist...

It usually takes an awful lot to upset or anger an experienced wedding makeup artist or hairstylist to the point they are happy not to receive your business. To ensure that this does not happen to you please check out my top tips.

Understand what your budget can afford by doing some research

There are hundreds of extremely talented makeup artists out there and thanks to the internet they are only a click away. Use search engines, speak to friends and check out wedding blogs and forums for peoples recommendations to find out who is in your area, once you have found a couple that you like it is important to take the time to look at their websites. Before you make initial contact by asking for a detailed quote it is important that you understand what services and value they offer so you can narrow down your search based on what your budget can afford and the value they offer. If you still cannot decide once you have a few quotes ask any questions that you feel you still need answering, this will hopefully give you an idea of who you are most drawn to.

DON'T ask them why they are more expensive than the makeup artist on facebook who is constantly posting selfies and doesn't have any pictures to show her work. If you have done your research you shouls already know the answer to this question so it is likely that this will be seen as highly offensive and asking questions that are not very well thought out will not end well.

If you don't get the discount you asked for, don't take it personally

Some makeup artists will offer discounts but don't expect everyone to do the same. Generally, the more popular the makeup artist is the less likely you are to get a discount as they know that if you don't book with them they will have no trouble filling the booking with someone else. That said, there is absolutely no harm in asking - just don't be offended if they say no. You are the one that decides whether to book with them or not so if your budget will not stretch that far, either figure out a way to make it work or book with someone else who will give you the best that you can afford.

Let's face it, you don't get angry at the expensive car dealership down the road because you can't afford that Bentley when other people are driving around in them and it is a similar situation with wedding vendors. You may not be able to afford the most expensive makeup artist but you shouldn't settle for anything less than the best that you can afford.

Whatever you do, please don't threaten us

Unfortunately it happens a lot more often than you would think. You open your emails to be greeted with "Well, the woman up the road said she can do me and my mum for £50 including a trial. I'd really like you to do it but I don't understand why you are so much more expensive, can you do it for the same price? I've already spent loads on everything else so I'd really appreciate it" or "If you give me a 20% discount I will tell all my friends about you so they will hire you for their weddings too, if not I'll go with someone else and you won't get as much work."

I can't speak for everyone else but personally the only thing these emails achieve is winding me up. It's fairly simple, if you want to recommend me for doing a great job to anyone you know that is getting married, you will. If you want to go somewhere else because they are cheaper then you should. If you have gone over your initial budget and now can't afford everything you want it is not our fault, you just need to reassess what is more important to you and re-budget. Please remember that we are running a business and not a charity.

1. Photo credit: Mysi(new stream: www.flickr.com/photos/mysianne) / Foter / CC BY-ND

Is my Wedding Make-up Artist ripping me off?

Short Answer: No!

This article could be finished right here but I think it is only fair that you all get a full explanation to back up that answer. So here goes...

If you're planning you're wedding already, you have probably noticed that whenever the word wedding is attached to something you are buying the price goes up. It's frustrating and you're thinking, "why is it more expensive, if it was for my birthday I would get it for a lot less?". Well, the fact is, it is not for your birthday - it's for your wedding. It's supposed to be the best day of your life so you want to ensure you get an amazing personalised service, have a fantastic day with nothing to worry about and you want to look and feel like a princess.

Wedding budget's vary massively, personally I only spent about £5,000 on my own wedding but then I did my own makeup and including myself and my husband we had 12 people in total attending, but I also have friends who have spent over £20,000 on their big day. The most important thing about your budget is to consider what is important to you so you get the result you want and deserve. If you're budget is £7,000, no matter how hard you try you will never have a wedding that looks like you spent £70,000 so it is important that you spent the money on what matter's most to YOU!

For example, when did you ever hear someone say, I'm so glad I went for the cheap photographer, the photo's are amazing? If you pay a photographer £200 for your wedding photography, chances are they are not going to spend the same amount of time and deliver the exact same results that a photographer you would pay  £1,000 for would  (which is about the average/possibly below average for a full day's coverage where I live). There's got to be a compromise somewhere - whether that is the amount of time they spend photographing the wedding or the quality of the images you receive

Now I do not know many brides who don't want to look their absolute best on their wedding day and your make-up artist and hair stylist play a massive role in how you will look on your big day. They are also vendors that don't usually charge any more than what you would pay for any other individual service they offer just because it is a wedding - the only difference is that you pay for an additional pre wedding trial to ensure that you are happy with the results before your big day. 

When you are choosing your make-up artist you will however find many people that are offering a service at extremely low prices, be wary as this usually means they do not have insurance or relevant training or using cheap products that may not last throughout the entire wedding day - ensure you do a little research and also ask to see images from previous brides, or even ask if you can be put in contact with their previous clients to speak to them directly about how good the service was.

If you have seen a make-up artist and are set on using them for your bridal make-up, contact them in the initial planning stages and ask them to do a personalised quote for you so you are aware of what you would need to budget for. Don't make the mistake of waiting until you have booked everything and have very little money left within your budget, expecting them to lower their price. This happens extremely often and usually the bride ends up either doing her own make-up or using a make-up artist she is not completely happy with. 

Remember Quality over Quantity...

The quality of make-up artists varies greatly and this is reflected within the pricing. You have people who are in the beginning stages of their career and are still learning, more experienced artists and those who are the very best in the industry. Basically, you get what you pay for - if you want the best in the industry, expect to pay a lot more than what you would pay for someone at the very beginning of their career with little experience.

Would you expect to walk into a wedding dress boutique and buy a dress designed by Vera Wang for £100 just because you wanted it and you had spent the rest of your budget elsewhere? It is important to remember that these people are running a business and providing a service to you because that is their job and just like everyone else in the industry they also have overheads, including:

   

• Relevant training and updates to remain current and aware of new trends

• Insurance

• Advertising and website costs

• The professional quality products and tools used, make-up and brushes, etc

• The amount of time you spend doing quotes, invoicing, attending to enquiries, researching suitable products for people with allergies or special requests, packing your kit, on the road to your venue, finding parking, paying for parking and tolls where applicable (this is where travel &/or parking/toll fees will be invoiced), setting up, hanging around for touch ups, or the extra time spent waiting for your client to finish tying up loose ends on phone calls etc that delays the amount of time they are in your seat

I completely understand that not everyone will see the art in make-up artistry  and you may think that it all looks the same, but trust me, the quality of work can vary dramatically!

If you are not too bothered about the make-up side of your wedding but don't want the hassle of having to do it yourself then you are definitely better off going for a lower experienced/budget MUA but if you want to look your best and are very particular then a more experienced make-up artist would be for you as they will have a better under understanding of how to accentuate your best features and they will also know how to get the perfect balance between looking amazing in person and in the photographs. Just remember that quality come with a price, they are not trying to rip you off, they are just offering a higher end service.

I hope this article has made sense and I have also added a rough guide below to give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for make-up services in the UK

• Students/Newly Qualified: £75-£90pp including pre wedding trial (this is an absolute base rate, and I would seriously question the credibility, product and hygiene of any artist charging less than this!)

• Experienced artists: £100-£140pp including pre wedding trial

• Industry Professionals: £150- £200+pp (although in some cases the price can be upward of £1000pp for some celebrity make-up artists)

It is also common for make-up artists who are travelling large distances (usually over 10-20 miles) from their location to charge additional mileage, which will vary between each individual business. (The government suggestion is 45-50p per mile)

**These prices are loosely based on the average make-up artists pricing per person within the UK, and is to be used as a guide ONLY. As stated above, please note that all makeup artists have different rates, inclusions and terms and conditions. Please consult your personal makeup artist directly for any further advice, prices or quotes etc. Average costs will also vary greatly depending on the County the make-up artist is based i.e. a small rural town mua may not have the same average cost as a major city mua.

Haley x.

This is based on the original blog of Australian Make-up Artist Nikita Pere. I thought it would be a good idea to translate the appropriate information aimed specifically at the UK but as the idea and some of the content is not mine I felt it was appropriate to give a link to the original blog:
(http://nikitaperemakeup.com/is-the-makeup-artist-for-my-wedding-ripping-me-off/)

Have amazing skin on your wedding day

I remember the build up to my wedding like it was yesterday and one of the things I was worried about was my skin. I am quite prone to breakouts and as I got married abroad where it was hot I did not want to wear loads of make-up (I didn't have access to airbrushing then). Here are a few tips that I used to ensure that my skin looked it's best on my big day.

#1. Ensure you drink plenty of water

I'm sure this is something you have heard many times before but it really does work. Drinking water not only keeps your skin hydrated and looking refreshed, it also flushes out all the toxins that you don't want. If like me you struggle to drink the recommended 8 glasses a day try drinking a big glass or two just after you wake up and you will see a huge difference in your skin and you will get an increase in your energy levels. It will also hydrate your organs and aid digestion so it will improve your health as well.

#2. Step away from the fizzy drinks

Try swapping fizzy drinks for green tea, black tea or coffee (don't over do the coffee though as it can cause problems with your nervous and digestive systems). It can be a little hectic when you are planning your wedding and it is extremely tempting to just grab a can of fizzy pop when you are on the go but as convenient as it is, it can wreak havoc on your skin due to the unhealthy chemicals it contains. By cutting it out you will not only be helping your skin, you will also end up trimming your waistline too.

#3. Keep your skin protected

Even when it is not hot the sun gives off UV rays so by opting for a BB cream, foundation or moisturiser that contains SPF 15 or 30 you will be protecting your skin and keeping it looking healthy.

#4. Exercise 3 times a week

If like me you are not into spending hours at the gym don't worry, even just going for a 30 minute walk 3 times a week will help. If you want to tone up and look great in your dress you could also try yogo or using some light weights to tone your arms and back if you are wearing a strapless dress.

#5. Eat healthy

There is no need to go mad and you can still allow yourself the occasional treat but try to ensure that you are eating fresh fruit and vegetables as part of your daily diet. Lean protein like chicken or fish and almonds will also do wonders for your complexion.

#6. Find a skin care routine that you can stick to.

Everyone's skin is different so there is no specific prescription for a great skin care routine but there are certain ingredients that can target specific skin issues. If your skin is dry, try a good moisturiser and apply liberally. If you suffer from oily skin or breakouts try to find a product which contains Salicylic acid.If wrinkles are your main concern then try a product containing retinol.If your skin requires a lot of exfoliation then a solution containing lactic acid if for you.

#7. And to save the most important until last... Relax!

Stress is the number one cause of skin issues so remember not to stress yourself out. Take some time out from all the chaos and have some time for yourself. Whether you are just taking time out to listen to some music, getting your nails done or meditating as long as you are happy and relaxed you will look and feel great on your wedding day.

I would love to hear any tips that you have, so please drop me a comment :)


Photo Attributions

Photo credit: thefost / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) 
Photo credit: marc horne / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) 
Photo credit: TheBoth / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
Photo credit: NewYorkDermatologyGroup /Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Photo credit: j0sh (www.pixael.com) / Foter /Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

What should I wear while getting ready on my wedding day?

You have just woken up on the morning of your wedding and you are getting ready for the make-up artist to arrive to get you ready for your big day, what will you wear? Believe it or not, the clothing you choose is very important and there are a few factors that will play a part in the decision you make.

You will want to be dressed comfortably and whatever you decide to wear should be easy to put on and take off without messing up your make-up and hair. If you have a photographer taking photographs of you getting ready, remember to stay covered up and most of all choose something that makes you feel pretty as you should feel amazing from the moment you get out of bed in the morning right through to the moment you collapse into bed with your husband.

Shirts, robes and baggy t-shirts are a great option and I have worked with many brides that have decided to have the bride and bridal party coordinated in personalised robes or t-shirts which are wonderful as beautiful keepsakes.

Here are a few ideas from Pure Treats, it is one of my favourite bridal sites packed full of personalised treats and ideas for your wedding day. They even have personalised teddy bears for your flower girls and other personalised gifts for your groom and grooms men.

 

I would love to hear from those who are married or planning on getting married to find out what you decided to wear on the morning of your wedding.

Photo Credits: 1. C. Campbell via Compfight cc
2, 3 & 4. Courtesy of Pure Treats

Avoid the 3 common mistakes when choosing a make-up artist for your wedding day

There are many things to think about when planning your wedding day and with so much going on it is easy to make mistakes. Here are the 3 common mistakes that should be avoided when booking a make-up artist for you big day.

1. Don't try and save money by skipping the pre wedding trial

You know what suits you, what you look like and know exactly what you want so will have no problems explaining what you want to the make-up artist on your wedding day so why not skip the trial and save a few extra pennies?

It's a natural look that you want so it should be pretty simple to do yourself so the make-up artist will have no problems. You have hired a professional so they will know instinctively what look you want on your wedding day so surely it makes no sense to hire them ahead of time for a trial to ensure you're both on the same page, right?

If this is what you are thinking you will most likely live to regret the decision not to have a trial. Make-up trials are important as it not only gives you the opportunity to ensure you are happy with the look before your wedding day, it also ensures a relaxed environment on the morning of your wedding as you already know what the end result will be. How you look on your wedding day will be with you in your wedding photos for the rest of your life so don't leave anything to chance.

2. Book your make-up artist in advance to ensure you get your first choice.

Plan ahead, book early and get the make-up artist that you really want.

It is a real shame that some brides leave booking their make-up artist until it's too late and rather than getting one they are happy with, they have to settle for someone who is available but not the one they want. If you like someone's work then assume that others will like it too and they will also be trying to book to secure their wedding date.

3. Don't book on price alone

If you choose to book a make-up artist based on price alone you are essentially playing a game of Russian roulette.

There will always be make-up artists who will work for little or no money because they are new, inexperienced or desperate for any type of work. The safe option is to choose a mid range make-up artist as they are not too cheap and not too expensive. They provide a good service and they have some experience so you will get a good result. Finally, you have the high end make-up artists who charge more due to the amount of experience they have.

The main thing to remember is that in reality if an artist is charging more, they will be worth it but that won't always be the case so you need to base your decision on how much you like their work rather than price alone.

I hope this was information was helpful and would love to hear about your experiences when looking for and booking a make-up artist for your wedding day.

Bridal Make-up Artists - When should you book?

Planning a wedding can take serious organisation and preparation and everyone that you speak to will have a different idea as to when you should book their services. I can't speak for any other vendors but in this blog I will be answering the age old question of when you should be looking at booking your artist and why you can never boo too early.

In my experience, most couples prefer to get married between the months of March to September and some weekends during this time can be more popular than others, especially bank holiday weekends. Saturdays are the most popular day of the week for weddings but Friday's and Sunday's are also becoming increasingly popular, which means that any successful vendor in the wedding industry will be extremely busy during the wedding season.

I often get enquiries from brides who start looking for a make-up artist and/or hairstylist fairly close to the date of their wedding and they can become anxious when they realise that I am already booked and I'm sure I speak for others when I say how heart breaking it can be to turn someone away when you can hear the panic in their voice.

This is why you can never book too far in advance, typically I can receive bookings 18 months in advance on occasions so if you have your heart set on a specific artist it is better to book early to ensure you can secure the date.

Here are a few tips when you have decided on the perfect make-up artist for you:

• You should book your make-up artist at least 6 – 9 months before your wedding date.
• Brides getting married on a bank holiday should book their make-up artist at least 12 months in advance as these are the dates that are most in demand.
• Most make-up artists will require payment of a deposit to secure the wedding date for you, DO NOT book your trial only and assume that the date will automatically be held for you.
• Ensure you understand all the terms and conditions of your wedding make-up artist before booking with them.
• Successful make-up artists will receive numerous inquiries on a daily basis from photographers, businesses, other vendors and brides so it is advisable to contact them with clear and concise details.
• Some make-up artists will limit wedding trials to certain days so it is important to ask about availability for you trial early on so you can plan accordingly. The reason for limiting the appointment days is because successful make-up artists tend to work in several different areas of the beauty business and may also be providing make-up for proms, special occasions, make-up lessons, commercial/advertising and print work

For those getting married in 2015 – 2016, start planning now to avoid disappointment.