Hiring an amateur to do makeup for my wedding day?

I'd make sure your hair stylist will work with someone else, some contracts state they won't. What does "simple makeup" mean? And is it $150-$200 for her to work on all 6-7 people?

Probably only 4-6 people will get their makeup done. I think some people might just need help with their eye makeup and when I get it done at the makeup counter it usually takes 15 minutes or less.

It's worth a shot, but if you're offering $150-$200 for them to work on 6-7 people, I wouldn't expect a yes. That's a lot of time and product. Unless you know one of them personally, I don't think they'd be interested in "helping out".

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I doubt someone who works at a makeup counter makes more than $150-$200 for 2 hours work. And by help out I mean help us apply our own makeup not use theirs.

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I didn't say that they did? Makeup for 6-7 people would take longer than 2 hours. Even if you just want them to "help" with eye makeup, I'd consider two hours (plus travel time) on a Saturday as a waste of time. But like I said, worth a shot.

Hmm well I will try it out and let you know. The hotel we are getting ready at it only a few blocks from the Nordstrom anyhow so it wouldn't be much out of their way.

And I was thinking to ask people in the wedding party to also tip on top of that.

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Our stylist had options for some girls to just do lips, just do eyes, etc. and it was cheaper that way. I guess it's worth asking if you found an artist you like.

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I agree with you. With the travel time, gas money, taking the time off work to ensure they weren't scheduled at the makeup counter that day, time (even if each girl took 15 minutes, there would be breaks or some girls take longer, etc. so it would probably end up being 2+ hours unless all the girls had their hair 100% done by the time she got there and were 100% ready to go for makeup).

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That was my thought process! If I were in that position, I would see it as more of an inconvenience than an opportunity.

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I think the cheapest I've seen is going to a sephora or ulta ($50 for makeup) or beauty school. But I guess if someone wasn't doing anything that day & had to travel, they may do it!

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Wow you must make a lot of money.

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Um...? What gives you that impression?

Can’t you just do it yourself and have your bridesmaids to theirs themselves too if you want them all to use their own products and not wear too much anyway?

Ulta's mac counter or the mac store will do one hour of full face makeup, you just have to buy $60 worth of makeup. I did it and bought the lashes they used on me, a lipstick and a concealer and was right at he $60 mark before tip. Just don't mention its for a wedding because they charge a bridal price. As far as the makeup counters, are you buying from them when they do your makeup? If its a free service I wouldn't think showing up with 4-5 girls to do simple makeup would be ok for her job. They are there to sell and most likely work off commission on products sold. The price your quoted from other MUA is fairly priced and comparable to the average cost to be honest. Maybe ask family friend to do your makeup if you know of anyone that is good at it. The cost for hair may be the same price too. Try local hair salons to se what they charge for hair and makeup. See if they can give you a deal for having some many people use them.

The biggest issue I would see is their schedules. If they work in retail, they may typically work on your wedding day. And they may do make-up professionally outside of working in retail. It's definitely worth asking though, you never know unless you try?! Maybe see what they might charge before offering a price. I'd also check on Facebook Marketplace! Local people advertise their services there and you might be able to find someone good that way.

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Thank you! Yeah, that's what I'm most worried about! But I had my makeup done for my 30th birthday at a makeup counter and it looked amazing. I only had to spend $50 on products. I think that's a good idea maybe just ask if they are interested and let them offer a price.

I have seen some major “no no”’s
when it comes to non-professional makeup artist. 1. FLASH BACK in your photos, flashback is under your eyes and happens when they use a setting powder that hits the camera light really weird (normally happens with flash photos). My friend decided to go cheap on makeup and hired a girl to do it, ALL of her wedding pictures are basically ruined cause of the flashback in almost everyone

I HIGHLY recommend to NOT use a starting makeup artist for your wedding day. I have experienced this first hand with many brides I style hair for that end up crying or taking off the makeup. Unless you personally know the artist and full on trust them, go with someone with experience and knowledge.

You can offer, but $150-$200 doesn't seem like a lot of money for travel and doing makeup on 6-7 people (even if she's using products you or your maids own and is only helping with eye makeup). When I was a teenager I probably would have thought this was easy money, but as an adult with a full time job this wouldn't be worth my time.

Additionally you need to consider what it means to hire an amateur to do any part of your wedding. No insurance, no reputation to uphold, no consequences for her if she bails, etc. Asking friends to help out with certain wedding things in place of professionals is one thing (and there are still a lot of aspects I wouldn't hire a friend for), but "hiring" an amateur who you don't have a relationship with is more risk than I'd want to take on my wedding day, especially for anything that is of high priority.