Hiring reputable vendors can make all the difference on your wedding day.
If you’re newly engaged (or plan to be soon), it’s never too early to start making a list of specific vendors you would like to include in your big day. Many vendors, such as venues, florists, hairstylists, and makeup artists book up months to years in advance, making last-minute bookings nearly impossible to get.
For many women, their biggest “glam” they will have is on their wedding day. From the dress to shoes; makeup to hair, the bride is the center of attention for the entire day. And rightfully so. Everyone deserves to feel beautiful on their wedding day and the key to this is in selecting the right professionals to make it happen. Obviously, if you’re here, you’re interested in makeup artists & hairstylists, so that’s what we will stick with!
So what should you be looking for when you are ready to book a makeup artist and/or hairstylist?
Professionalism and Communication
We’ve got news for you, if they don’t communicate effectively and professionally, then the services you receive likely will not be effective and professional. Professionals conduct themselves as such and there are a few red flags to look for:
Unable to show proof of proper licensing and/or insurance
Every hairstylist and makeup artist should have these. That’s not to say there aren’t many out there who don't. But it is very important that your stylist/artist is trained and insured in case anything were to go wrong.
Reuse brushes, tools, and applicators on multiple party members
Let’s face it, all eyes are on sanitation these days. We are in a never-ending pandemic that has everyone overly aware of germs. But this type of scrutiny should be in place all of the time when dealing with personal care products. A sanitized set of brushes, tools, and applicators should be available for each party member. That goes for mascara and lips, too. A mascara wand or lip applicator should never come directly from the tube. Artists should be using disposable applicators.
They haven’t done many (or any) weddings yet
If you’re open to a complete newbie - great - but remember what you signed up for. There is a time and place for newer artists, and often that is mentoring under an established artist until they have really perfected their craft.
No real-life examples
See above red flag. If they can’t show you any examples of their work on real brides, they probably haven’t done many weddings.
Poor Reviews
If an artist has poor reviews, whether they’re on their website, Google, or social media, take those into account. We all know there are some negative people who are going to be unhappy no matter the situation, but multiple bad reviews could indicate that it isn’t the clients who are difficult.
No Contract
If they don’t have a contract, you’re not protected. A professional (in nearly any capacity) should have a contract stating the services they will provide, the terms under which they will provide them, and the price that you will pay for said services. This is just part of doing business and it protects both the artist and the client.
Questions to Ask
If you’ve made it through all the red flags in your search for a makeup artist or hairstylist, here are a few other questions to consider before you book:
Can they achieve the look you want?
If you’re unsure, be sure to ask in advance. Share a photo or two. Also, consider booking a trial further out than the typical 1-2 months before your wedding day. This will allow you time to find a new stylist or artist if need be.
Can they accommodate your large or small bridal party?
If you have 10 bridesmaids and they only have one artist, you may be getting ready at 1:00 AM the morning before your big day. And no one wants to do that. Make sure your stylist and artist can adequately service all of your party BEFORE you book.
Do they offer more than one service?
Check one extra thing off your plate by booking a vendor (like us!) that offers both hair & makeup. You only have to deal with one vendor, one contract, and one price.
Do they travel to you?
While planning, it may seem feasible to travel to a stylist’s location to get your hair or makeup done…and sometimes it is. But we can assure you, during the rush of your wedding day, having to go one more place is the LAST thing you want to do. Try finding a team that will come to your location to perform the services to help make your big day run as smoothly as possible.
Do they jive with your personality?
This is a big one. A really big one. If you don’t “mesh” with your stylist, chances are you won’t be as happy with their service. We’re not saying you have to become their best friend, but a general liking of who they are and what they do goes a long way - for both of you!
Do they fit within your budget?
And this may be the BIGGEST one. If you know they’re not in your budget, don’t expect them to get there. Professional artists are priced at what they need to be able to cover all of their expenses plus their time and travel. Before you get too far down the road of communicating with the beauty professional, have an honest look at your budget and determine if you can afford on-location hair and makeup services.
While this list isn’t all-encompassing, we do hope it helps you be better prepared to select professional makeup artists and hairstylists for your big day!
About Naturally You Makeup Artistry:
Naturally You Makeup Artistry is a collective team of independent hairstylists and makeup artists serving the Kansas City area, Northwest Missouri, and Northeast Kansas for weddings and events. With more than 16 years of experience in the bridal and beauty industry, owner Melissa Chesnut has earned The Knot’s “Best of Weddings” from 2018-2022, including the coveted Hall of Fame award, and was also named in the Top Three Makeup Artists in Kansas City by Wed KC. Most recently, Naturally You was also nominated for Hairstylist of the Year, Company of the Year, and Makeup Artist of the Year in the Kansas City Wedding Vendor Choice Awards by Wed KC. (results pending).