Cost of Bridal Makeup

Bridal makeup has a lot more time and detail put into it.

I researched several artists in my area, weighed price and quality of work. I was fortunate enough to LOVE my trial with the first women I chose to have a face to face meeting with.

It's supply and demand. The professional is offering their service (read: time and expertise) at a pre-determined price. That price has been set by the demand of the market (consumers/brides).

If you don't think someone's time and skill are worth it, don't pay it.

I think it's definitely because it has wedding attached to it. If you have your makeup professionally done and you tell them it's for a photo shoot then they should make sure it's done properly. You can show them how you want it to make it bridal. I've had my makeup done for a couple weddings I attended, holiday parties and my engagement pics and the only thing I'll be doing differently for the wedding is a softer look. See if you can shop around. Going to have it done instead of having them come to you will also cut down on costs. I have a couple friends who had it done at the Mac store and looked great. They charge $50 plus $18 for the lashes.

I think it can depend on area. Our location is wedding country, so the prices are steep for almost everything, including MUAs. Most of them require a mandatory makeup trial before the wedding day, which runs $75. The actual wedding makeup runs about $75 as well. Total = $150. I opted out and doing DIY. Makeup is a hobby of mine, so I didn't feel the need to spend.

If I weren't, I would've explored beauty counters such as MAC, Ulta, Sephora, even the counters at Nordstrom and Macys. They're not on-site but it can be more cost effective. Weigh the costs and what you're looking for your makeup. Do you need someone to do it on-site? Do you have time to get it done off-site before the ceremony? Are you paying for makeup for your BMs, mom, etc. as well? If you're just looking to get your makeup done for yourself and you can get it done before the ceremony, I'd definitely try a beauty counter.

Wanted to add: JCPenney counters and Bare Minerals are good options as well.

I am in CA and cost is about

200 for makeup only. I have seen prices up to 1k. I will not be paying for than 60 for makeup and 100 for hair. That is just my budget. Also blessed to have people in the industry that are hooking it up lol

Add "bridal" or "wedding" to anything and the price is sure to rise. I am paying $150 for airbrush and my BM are $80 each.

I think she normally charges $100 each. shes giving us a "deal" on the BM because I have 6 and then my mom and FMIL. Plus I will have to pay a travel charge,

I just couldn't justify paying $150 for someone to spend upwards of an hour to dress up my face. I asked a close friend, whose makeup is always flawless, if she would do my wedding makeup. I'm thrilled she agreed to it. I think it will make getting ready time more special.

I researched all professional places within driving distance of my wedding. And all are similarly outrageously priced once you say "bridal". This does include a trial of both hair and MUA though. There were 2 separate places that insisted on trying to tack on extra "bridal" services that couldn't be any more than normal service with a jacked up price. Such as "bridal waxing" and "bridal facial" waxing is waxing and I don't care how much time and effort is put into either of services-they are still just waxing and facials. Nothing about them says "bridal" except the word "bridal".

The artist spends a lot more time on you as the bride on your wedding day. The application is also different because you are going to wear makeup much longer, and it needs to be "photo" ready.

For those of you complaining about spending that much money on a MUA - wait until you start pricing out DJ's. A DJ's services for a wedding are considerably higher than a DJ for a birthday party. Just like a MUA, more work is involved.

Kyle - consider lots of the horror stories when it comes to working with friendors. I have two friends who are MUAs and I did not use them. Be careful using a friend's services on your wedding day. Hope it works out for you.

Bridal makeup takes more time and is tailored for photos. It's designed to bring out the best features of the bride. It's not meant for an "everyday" look. Most bridal applications can take up to an hour to do. As well, there tends to be a lot more product used, primers, setting sprays, lashes, etc. You are paying for premium time and product.

I'm doing it myself.

Be careful when working with friends. Bridal make up needs to be a bit heavier so that it will show better in photos. It's completely different than your everyday makeup. I'm very good at doing my own makeup and I have quite the collection of it at home and could do almost any look myself. That being said, I don't want the stress of doing my own on my wedding day and I am not confident enough to be able to make sure that it will show in pictures.

I'm from the Chicago area and am paying $200 for airbrush makeup on site the day of the wedding and that includes my trial.