Free Hair Consultation??

All hair and makeup trials I've looked into are for a fee. I think $50 is pretty standard. But don't take my word for it.

No, it is not customary for the hair trial to be free, even if you book future services with them at the same time. No pro I know does any kind of trail (hair or make-up) for free and around here $50 is an average price for a hair trial...it may have been unexpected on top of the money you paid for the coloring styling/services but the $50 price for a trial isn't out of line.

The stylist I found offers the bride a free concult and trial. But she was the first i found like that I searched for ever

I was sort of shocked by that too. Mine will probably be about $60 for the trial and $100 for the day of. **sigh** Although in their defense...you actually do more during the trial cause you are playing around and trying different things. But yeah I was a little taken back by the cost of that.

I've been or am being charged for all my hair trials and that money doesn't got into my total for the wedding day if I book them... I understand that I'm taking their time where they could earn money from another client and I don't mind paying for a trial. But, it kinda bothers me that i have to pay $90 for a hair and make up trial and then more for my actual wedding day? I haven't really found anyone who will credit at least partially (which is all I'm asking for) what i paid for the trial toward my wedding day total... I guess that is just the price of beauty... and I just want to be beautiful! haha...

Lizzie - just be sure that your trial includes complete styling. A lot of times stylists will phrase it as a consult - which means they will talk to you about it and may do partial styling but if you want more then one eye done like a full face of make-up or your hair completely done (not just "played" with) then they may charge you - I ran across a couple up here like that.

I've had others that will tell you it's free if you book with them, but that just means they are including a fee for it in their "package" price, if you don't book you may find them asking you for money at the end of the trial. So, just be sure everything is clearly spelled out so you aren't surprise when you get there...one mans consult is another mans trial (LOL!) KWIM?

For makeup I have spent $170 for two trials. Part of the expense is the airbrush makeup. for hair my trial was $30 but they wanted $165 for the day of which I am not paying. I'm annoyed that vendors want to charge all of that for a half hour of work to curl my hair and do nothing else. Curl and hairspray $165? I don't think so.

It is customary for hairstylists/makeup artists to charge a trial fee even if you've already booked them for the day of. It's basically for the time/product. Just make sure that the finished look is exactly what you wanted.

I think it depends. My MUA usually charges for a consultation/trial but if you book her that day, and put down a deposit, the trial becomes free and the deposit is towards your whole make-up package for that day.

I've seen the same for hair as well, but it depends. Some charge way too much for a trial.

Thankfully, my FH's family friend is a great hairstylist and yesterday she offered to do my hair & BM's for free, as part of our wedding gift =0)

All the hairstylists I've seen in my area are way too "Up-scale" for my liking.

I'm a hair stylist and when I have done consultations and trial I charge. Not the full amount but I still charge for my time and products use.

Yea that's what im saying why wouldn't you charge!!! that's your time and products... what constitutes people to think they should receive all that for FREE???