wedding hair/makeup - are these prices reasonable? - YouLookFab Forum

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wedding hair/makeup - are these prices reasonable?

Diana

Veteran

Just wondering if someone who's had wedding hair/makeup done lately could give me a reality check about prices. This would be in the southern CA area, so I am aware prices will probably be higher than in other parts of the country.

Anyway, here are the prices that one stylist has quoted. I have no idea what is reasonable, so I'd appreciate any guidance! Nothing to compare to at the moment, as one other stylist I tried is already booked for that date and the second never responded to my query. This one seems very competent and professional.

Price for the Bride :
$350.00.00 Makeup (including eyelashes)and Hair.
$25.00 Airbrush foundation/Body Makeup
$50.00 Artist stays through photography until the reception for touch ups, hair changes etc.
$250.00 Makeup only (including eyelashes).
$200.00 Hair only.
Hair Extensions @ $15.00 each strip.

Price of each additional Bridal Party Member
This includes the Mother of the Bride or Groom, Grandmothers, Aunts, Maid of Honor, and Bridesmaids.
$160.00 Makeup (including eyelashes)and Hair.
$90.00 Makeup(including eyelashes).
$90.00 Hair.
$25.00 per person Airbrush Foundation/Body Makeup.
$15.00 Lashes a la carte

The trial/consultation would be $40/hr, probably about 2 hours.

Aside from the tip, there would be no additional charges for transportation, etc.

I'd probably be doing just hair/makeup, no airbrush or anything like that.

Also, do you think it's a good idea to have the stylist stay for touchups after the ceremony?

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18 replies

Latest reply was from Krista

marianna

Veteran

I don't know because I had an ultra-budget wedding with no bridal party, but I think I paid about $200 for both hair and makeup. I believe hair was $90 and make-up around $110.

I went to the salon to have everything done, so I didn't have anyone at the venue for touch-ups or anything. I wouldn't have needed it anyway, honestly.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

The fees for this type of service vary hugely from city to city. If you can find a few that include their prices on their website or a forum for local brides, that might be a good resource.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I had my hair and makeup done in Beverly Hills, and I think my hair was around $100, and makeup was only $33. Would have been an extra $10 for lashes, but I didn't want them. Like Marianna, I went to the salon to get it done before the wedding.

Diana

Veteran

Thanks, ladies. I should mention that this would be for them to come to the hotel and do it there, so I'd expect to pay a little more.

Nobody seems to like to put their prices on their website! But I have requested a quote from a different place and am waiting to hear back (although this second place states right up that their prices are higher than most, so we shall see.)

Krista

Veteran

The prices seem a little high to me and I would suggest asking around for recommendations on makeup artists. It's always good to compare!

The one thing I absolutely would not pass on is the opportunity to have a trial session, especially for makeup and particularly if you are someone who doesn't wear makeup or a lot of makeup on a regular basis. Wedding makeup is done a little heavier so it shows up in photos and it's good to be prepared! I wear full makeup every day and even I was a little surprised by my trial makeup. It also gives you an opportunity to talk about how comfortable you are with different colors, etc. Also, don't pass up the fake eyelashes! It adds to the overall look.

I also see no need to have them stay throughout the ceremony. My ceremony was just less than 15 minutes and photography was about an hour or so after that. The most you will need is a lipstick touch-up (buy the same shade for yourself that they put on your lips) and a powder touch up for your face - all of which can be done by you or a bridesmaid!

MsMary

Veteran

That seems a little high to me, even for So Cal. I don't know that I'd pay for the touch-ups. Maybe you can negotiate to have her toss that in at no charge?

bj1111

Veteran

that is steep.

consider going to your regular stylist and asking her/him if s/he is willing to spend 4 hours the day of the wedding to make up about 6 women for a set fee. she won't have to split it with the salon if you arrange it privately. i would count on $130/person or $250/hour. you can tip on top of that if you wish.

try other friends' stylists (with a trial 'do or a consultation). really, i think the industry has jumped the shark. but i think that expectations of how one looks in the pix forever are also a bit unreasonable and the complicated hair sausage rolls are a bit overdone. you will look beautiful no matter what.

Diana

Veteran

My first hunch was that the prices seemed a bit high too! On the other hand, I did spend WAY less than I had budgeted for my dress, plus there are no alterations, so I could probably justify this... I also only have 2 bridesmaids so that wouldn't be too much of an expense. I think it sounds like I don't need touch-ups... they also give you the lipstick and a touch-up kit anyway so I could fix it myself.

Still waiting to hear back from the other stylists.

I would use my own hairdresser in a heartbeat although I'd have to find someone else for makeup... but the problem is that she is 3000 miles away from the wedding in Boston! I also don't know anyone in the area anymore (except my parents, but my mom knows nothing about salons, having never gone to one) so I'm kind of flying blind here. There don't actually appear to be that many stylists who specifically do "wedding hair" including on-site styling... a lot of listings I am seeing are for people in LA and further, which would necessitate travel fees... I think that would probably negate the price differential.

I do feel like I would be an "easy" case, so I am probably getting WAY overcharged for anything... You know, since I want a pretty simple, natural look (probably a low, loose bun in back and something loose and maybe curly on the top/sides), nothing too over the top or anything. On the other hand, if they can get my hair to hold a curl or wave... maybe that would be close to miraculous.

Argh, this is stressing me out. I hate dealing with strangers, especially when it involves a lot of personal contact. I have to admit that one reason I am keen on this particular lady is that she a) responded to me via email (rather than phone, since I HATE talking on the phone) and b) always responds really quickly. But is great customer service worth all that extra $$$?

velvetychocolate

Veteran

It seems a tiny bit high, but at the same time, when you factor in hair plus professional makeup application, plus traveling to you to do it all - it doesn't seem so bad. I wouldn't bother with having the stylist hang around for touch ups and so on. The one tip I can remember is to be sure to buy the lipstick the makeup artist uses on you - because you'll want lipstick touch-ups.

I paid around $200 back in 2004 for hair and makeup (at a salon) - didn't require touch ups. My stepdaughter paid around $250 for hair/makeup at her local salon (small town Colorado) back in 2009 - so it's now four years after that, and you get someone to come to your hotel - so while it all seems kind of pricey...you might be getting a pretty good deal on the package, imo. The makeup should be good enough that you don't really need touch ups.

If you like the trial, I would go for the $350 hair/makeup package if I were you.

Diana

Veteran

Ah, VC, you reminded me of one other point... the trial (which I WILL do for sure) will be 2-3 days before the wedding. That's the next time that I am going to be in CA unfortunately. So while I will definitely do a trial, I need to choose and commit to someone without having done the trial first. There will be no switching to another artist 48 hours before the event!

MsMary

Veteran

Honestly, Diana, I did my own makeup for (both of) my wedding(s), and I felt happier and more comfortable because I felt like I looked like myself. Do you have a makeup routine you're happy with? Then just do that, maybe with a heavier hand than usual. Or for $250 you could buy all the new makeup you needed! Go to Nordie's every day between now and the wedding and have a different cosmetics lady do your makeup, and when you get a look you want, buy the products and you're good to go!

Just a thought!

Diana

Veteran

Mary, I never wear makeup aside from mascara and lippy once in a while. I think I wear eye shadow once a year or so, and I don't even own any foundation or blush. I never do my hair either. So I'm really clueless, and doing either myself would be a very, very bad idea.

Diana

Veteran

Update: I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with this one. Yes, it's a bit pricey but seems comparable with other on-location stylists in the area that I've managed to find pricing information for on the web. I think prices I saw ranged from $250 to $525 (!). And that's not counting travel fees - this one is local so she wouldn't charge for travel.

Plus she seems competent and friendly, and I'm not going over budget. I am ready to stop stressing over this anyway.

rae

(website)

Veteran

If it's stressing you out, then I think it's a great idea to stick with this stylist and stop looking. You're under budget... no need to find The Best Deal Ever on every single part of the wedding, right? The whole point of a budget is that you don't stress over a huge tab, so it makes no sense to stress over a smaller tab. Have fun!

Kalli

That's a ripoff. It does depends on the city, you didn't mention the city in which you will be getting married?

It helps to make friends at the makeup counter - aka go to nordies and have your makeup done there and sometimes you can get one of those girls/boys on their day off (usually they are starting out and will do it for less).

My sister hired someone and provided the makeup herself so it was a lot less.

Sylvie

Veteran

Let me give you the quotes I got in the PA area in 2009.

I was originally planning on getting my makeup done for each of my 4 events - Thursday night, Friday night, Sat morning and Sat evening. I didn't have bridesmaids, so it would only be me.

One person said she typically charged $100/session but offered $35/each for the Thursday/Friday and then $175 for Saturday with a free trial. I didn't use her because I didn't like her makeup.

Another person was not free on Sat/Sun but would charge $95/session for Thursday/Friday if I came to her and $250/session if she had to come to me. $50 for a trial.

The person I went with quoted me $100/trial and $175/session. I used her for the Saturday events and did my own makeup/had a friend do it for Thursday/Friday. I went to MAC/took classes on how to apply makeup beforehand.

For hair, the person charged me $75 for an updo and $50 for a half up/how down hairstyle and she traveled to me.

My hair and makeup were ridiculously expensive but it was worth it to me because I wasn't worried about having a "less beautiful than normal" day.

Diana

Veteran

So far I'm very happy having decided to go with this lady! She has been incredibly receptive about my allergy issues, sending me ingredient lists and stuff, as well as accommodating my extremely narrow time window for the trial.

I do have homework though! I need to go to the Mac store and get a sample of the face and body foundation to make sure I won't have a reaction to it... Does anyone use this makeup and have reviews on it?

Krista

Veteran

Diana,
MAC has several types of foundations, so you can just go to the counter, explain your allergies and the reason you need the makeup. They will definitely be able to help you choose exactly what you are looking for and will allow you to try different kinds. I've had nothing but positive experiences at the MAC counter. I used to wear one of their foundations and really liked it, but it's phased out now - plus, I can't even remember what type it was.

Glad that you found someone!