Alternatives to makeup artist

What about just a salon in the area? Although many people have people come to them just as many people go to a salon. Salons in my area range, but the ones I found had updos around $50 and makeup ranged as well but the best I found was $35 for airbrush. I would open up your search for salons in the area. Also, If you are unable to cover your bridesmaids, then don't make them get it done. Let them know that you will be making an appointment for yourself and you will schedule appointments at the same time if anyone is interested in getting their hair/makeup done, otherwise they can do it on their own. This will present it that if they are choosing to have it done then they will be cover the cost.

Why don't you just pay for your own makeup and let your bridesmaids do their own or choose to contract the services of the MUA if they want to.

I was a bridesmaid this summer and the bride set up appts for us at a department store make up counter. We did a trial run with the make up lady, and we had an appt with her specifically so there were no surprises as far as professionalism/technique or anything. We had to go to the dept store the morning of, so logistically it wasn't ideal but it worked out fine. And it was free, so that was nice too.

ETA: We went to the Clinique counter at Belk, and there was no purchase requirement. But I'm sure if varies by brand/store. I would definitely recommend calling around to local salons and make-up departments, doesn't hurt to ask.

MAC requires purchases of at least 2 items when having your makeup done. I think Clinique also requires that you purchase. Maybe put in a few calls to local salons and ask if they will do a package deal for you and your BM?

You can maybe cut the cost back if you don't have the MUA travel to your venue. I didn't prefer it that way, but it did add to the cost. If you left yourself enough time for transportation, then you could squeak by with not paying as much for the make up staff to come to you at the venue.

I found my make up artist on Craig's List. She was very reasonable ($65 for me and $45 for the maids) and came to the hotel where we were getting ready. You could look there.

You can get your make up done at Belk's or somewhere? I didnt know that... I am on a tight budget & am not requiring anything of my girls, however if I can swing it I would like to pay for their hair & makeup to get done, (less stress on them that day) However I did NOT know you could do that, so do you just go in & talk to them or ???

I honestly was thinking about having our trials done @ a beauty school for fun & maybe using them if we were happy with the results.

That's awesome info. Thanks everyone! I thought of the Aveda school but my mom went once before a party and when she got there the makeup lady didn't show so I'm nervous about that... But I didn't even know Belks was a thing!!! Thanks I'll look into all!

@BreeCheez, yep! Anyplace that has a makeup counter usually offers makeovers. We were able to schedule an appointment in advance. At the Belk we went to, there was no requirement to purchase product, but I suppose it could vary by location. I would just call all the department stores in your area to compare.

I'm not paying for my girls to have their hair and makeup done. They know I'm not made of money and one of them is a hair stylist and dabbles in makeup. She'll be helping the other girls get ready if they need it.

Are one of your BM good at make up?? If so I would ask her to do your girls make up. One of my BM's is not a MUA, but she is amazing at make up and knows what I want. So she will be doing mine. She also will be doing some of the other BM, I also have another BM that is great at make up as well. She will be helping doing the BM make up too.

My cousin is a hair stylist so she will be doing my hair for free, and she will be bring another girl along with her to do the BM hair, which I will probably pay for.

Why don't you see if you can get a Mary Kay consultant to do it?

I've never worked with a MK consultant before... How does that even work? I thought they sold products...

I am not requiring pro hair or makeup for my girls, but I am having a hair stylist and makeup artist available on site for them (and for me) if they choose. They will be paying for it themselves. I thought they wouldn't want the expense - and they were aware I wouldn't be able to assist them with the cost - but I have 6 ladies and 5 of them took me up on it. Ask your ladies what they would prefer. I wouldn't want to risk going anywhere the day of - you never know what might happen with traffic, etc. A lot of the artists here include travel fees in their rates - or at least the ones I contacted did.

@Baker'sBride & @andrea-

MK consultants reel you in to say they will do your make up for you, but then what they end up doing is making you do your makeup yourself by showing you how to do it, and then try and get you to buy the product, I was a MK consultant for several years...just got sick and tired of how scammy it really is. At David's Bridal they stand at the exit after you purchase your dress and ask you to sign up to win a free facial...what they don't tell you is that it's not relaxing, they don't do it for you, and in fact teach you to do it, and ask you to spend almost $200 to reuse that stuff for your wedding day...or you will ask them to come out and help for your wedding but you have to purchase all of the product used that day...END RANT, sorry ladies, still reeling from my experience working for MK

My makeup artist is reasonably priced, super clean and professional. I def recommend her only because she has even done facial for me and it was great www.Lipstolashesmua.com

Me and my maids we all did our own makeup. If you're not comfortable with that I would check out thumbtack.

Thats pretty cool. I think I might try it. While I dont think it is going to be in the budjet to afford my whole BP & myself. I have no requirements on MU or Hair, so it's really their choice or what they are comfortable with. I may make saure I get my own hair & makeupdone , since I usually have my own mother do it for me, however 2 of my BP are my baby sisters & she would then have 4 heads ot hair to do (including her own ) & 4 makeups.. that's a lot on her.

I did find a beauty school in Savannah, I've only ever went to one for fun in the past, but it is pretty cheap $25 for an updo & I think like $15 for makeup. You run the same risk as a beauty counter I guess but I may go for trials there s& see what happens.

My sister and I are bridesmaids in our other sisters wedding and we are going to do our own makeup. There are some amazing beauty gurus on youtube that do step by step tutorials. I purchased the naked 2 pallet because I will be doing my own makeup for my sisters wedding and my own wedding. Afterwards I'll use it for my everyday work makeup.