Seriously? That much to have your makeup done?! **My first mini vent**

I completely get the budget thing! Trust me, I was a bride in September! I have to defend the makeup artists in the industry though...it is a service that requires talent and not just anyone can do it. It has taken me years and lots of money to get where I am today. The classes alone are $1000s and airbrush makeup and supplies are not cheap. Sure you can go to a counter at the mall to save a few bucks but you are only a bride once - you deserve and should look your absolute best. I give back every year to brides that cannot truly cannot afford to have their hair and makeup done - it is my way of saying Thank you!

Skip the raspberries in the champagne and that will cover your makeup and hair! Just a thought....remember...all eyes are on you

With the heat & humidity here in Fla., I can always tell the brides who didn't use a pro and those who did.

I just wish I could get my hair & make-up done for each wedding, but averaging more than 2 weddings a week would really get expensive!

I know you "get what you pay for" — Which is why I want something nice. I'm an artist too (graphic designer) and I understand quality and the costs involved. BUT with that said, I'm just surprised at the little fees they all add on. My other vendors are traveling too but they don't charge for that. Just comparing the price of makeup to my DJ costs who will be with me all day, is prepping before hand, met with me for initial meeting (aka. trial — without a fee!) and helped me research and hunt down a bunch of songs — Just seems nuts that in maybe an hour or so I'd be spending almost half of what my DJ costs!?

I am using the macke up counter at the mall. I had a trial a few weeks ago and was pleased with the result. I just can't afford to do it any other way.

For me its a matter of either the mall or doing it myself and I don't need that stress!

I agree...I was so stunned when I got a quote on prices! I was going to pay for my bridesmaids as well, but not with the prices they charge! It's going to cost me $100 for my hair and $80 for my makeup. Then I have a trial appointment 4 weeks before and it costs $55 for the makeup and $70 for the hair! Not to mention the 15% tip...how ridiculous! But I just don't trust myself doing my own makeup that day....and DEFINITELY not my own hair. I would go to a professional if I were you...these pics last foreverrrr!

I would go to the mall-- I used to work for Lancome and we did consultations for free. During the summer especially, we would have a bridal party scheduled two to three weekends every month. Of course, we would prefer to make a sale and we strongly recommend a purchase but it wasn't mandatory. They can also do a trial in advance. If you have an experienced consultant who has done weddings, you should be fine. Just stop by one of the counters and ask if the service is available I'd rather spend $50 on the products than just the service.

I agree with jlam I used to work for Clinique and we had brides all the time. The great thing is when you go to a counter they can teach you to apply your makeup yourself. Just do a trial run at MAC, Lancome, Clinique etc. and if you don't like them then don't go back. But just fyi you are under no obligation to buy anything if you don't like it. And as long as I worked for Clinique we never charged a fee at all. Just make an appointment first to guarantee your spot. I love MAC makeup and I go there quite often to learn how to use their new products/eyeshadows etc and have never been charged there either. Try that out before you fork out an insane amount of money on airbrushing, it's free and if it doesn't work out then you won't feel as bad about your 200 makeup pro fee.

The only thing is... you can probably expect attitude from the consultant if you don't buy anything at all because they are on commission and they don't make a whole lot of money. A good consultant wouldn't be rude..but you know how vendors can get ;-) At a minimum I'd buy 2 items just to feel like I've put something into it and didn't get a freebie. A lot of times consultants have gratis to give away for special occasions as well They give it to customers at their own discretion.

$190 just for my hair and make up. Plus I'm paying for my MOH and my mum. Money well spent if they can make me look good though

My venue has a mini bridal expo the first Wednesday of every month. I went yesterday and ran into a Mary-K lady. She does makeup for free . . . you just have to be a "customer". I'm cool with that. Their makeup isn't tested on animals. I figure most of the girls will at least buy a lip gloss off of her. She also offered to do test runs a couple of times for me and my girls. Did I mention it's free if you buy makeup from them? Look into it girl!

Well, i don't know where you are located.. that may play a part in it as well. i think some artist charge more if they are in an area where there are less brides willing to spend money on make-up.. so if you are in a rural area vs urban or at least surburbia, that may be part of it. it totally sucks, but sadly, its true. i'm paying $90 for the trial session (which i will utilize for the engagement dinner) and then $120 for the big day.. not a bad price at all considering i'm going with air brush make-up.

I guess I just don't get the professional makeup/hair thing. I've done my own hair and makeup EVERYDAY of my life. I've been in hundreds of pictures where I've done my own hair and makeup. That's the same I want to look on my wedding day....like I've looked for years...LIKE ME!

I am getting my makeup done by a pro. My hair my best friend is doing. She always does her own hair for events it she looks like she is ready for the red carpet. The quotes you got are about right. I got quotes in the same range.

Have you tried Mary Kay? My best friend and BM is a Mary Kay consultant. Try finding a consultant in your area. Have a Mary Kay party and then each person can get a makeup compact personalized with their correct colors. Alot of the consultant will charge very little for the application because you purchased the makeup. Also you may earn free stuff at the party! Just a thought for you.

$40 for my makeup and $20 for my 4 bridesmaids... $120 total!!! She did a trial run for free and it was amazing It's not airbrush, but I don't mind one bit (I don't even know what the differences are and don't care too...)

I really have found that shopping around and being up front with vendors about your budget is the best way to go. If they cannot do the service in your budget than you can move on and find the right one. Granted, you will have to do more searching this way, but chances are their is the right person willing to do the service for the right price.

This is my 2 cents as a makeup artist, http://www.stylisho.com/?p=672

in the end its your decision. I have brides calling me crying becuase their cheap wannabe makeup artist flaked on them a week before or days before.

I pay a lot for my product and continuing my education through seminars, classes etc..

I qoute my prices and that is it, either they hire me or they don't. Don't take me wrong, I understand the whole budget thing and I respect it but if I can't afford something then I just dont get it. I don't bad mouth anyone just becauase I can't afford them or it.

Very well put Trish!

Can anyone tell me who they used for makeup and hair in the Dallas area?

I'm a professional makeup artist. I charge $80 for the bride and $65 for BM and $50 for MOB and $65 for a trial. It always concerns me when I hear that this sounds expensive. I chose to be a makeup artist because I love making people look amazing. I chose my school carefully and received a diploma in extensive makeup design. I choose my products carefully so that they look great and last. But that school and these products aren't cheap. My eyeliner alone costs $31 and by the time I sharpen and apply 6 or 7 times in one day that is gone pretty quick. That being said my eyeliner is one of the cheapest products in my kit. Then you add in cost of travel and products to sanitize ect. Then of course I can't make a living if i am only charging enough to cover the cost of my products so I have to add more for my time.

I often get asked to do the trial for free, and I think that's maybe because it is the word trial that confuses people. I think it relates to the "try me" signs at makeup counters for free. The difference is huge. I didn't manufacture the makeup it isn't free to me. During this "trial" i spend up to 2 hours sometimes more using much more products trying different looks until you decide exactly how you want to look for your day. In reality I should charge more but I keep it at this price because it is during this time that I prove to you why you should spend your hard earned money on me. When you leave my chair after a trial there will be no doubt in your mind and no uneasy feeling of paying too much money; and if you don't feel that way than I have failed as professional and I don't deserve your business on you wedding day. I know that if you have never had your makeup truly done by a professional then you would have no way of comparing or knowing why it costs so much or how you feel when it's done right. There will always be a way to do things cheaper but results are very rarely equivalent and that goes for anything in life. I wish I could do every women's makeup for free, because that is what I love to do, but that just isn't possible. I hope this is a little helpful in understanding why the cost of a pro artist is what it is. I don't ever want people to think professional artists don't put proper thought into our pricing.