What are important questions to ask potential hair and makeup artists?

I would have a little check list - 

Look at the Easy Wedding photo gallery and select an artist that you like based on the the makeup/hair style images - ensuring this artist has lots of images (this will ensure experience)

Look at the artists reviews 

Look at the experience of the artist 

Then reach out asking - 

Are you available for my wedding day?

If I trial you personally will you be the artist doing my makeup on the day?

Due to unforeseeable circumstance/covid etc  if you are unable to do my makeup on the day have you a backup team? (so important)

Is my wedding day deposit transferrable due to unforeseeable cirmstances & if one of my wedding party is unwell last minute do i have to pay for the person not having the service?

      (these are tricky questions, though need  to be asked)

I hope this helps - you will then have a clear picture of which artist may appeal to you and you connect with.  Kerry 

Great question!

Not everyone has been in a bridal party before. 

Most importantly I'd say view their work- do they have a website or Instagram?

Roughly how long will they require, do they come to you, how many artists are needed for your booking and costs. 

Cwhat are their booking requirements eg how to secure the date, minimums, etc. 

Also, any other questions you may have, they should be willing to answer, but also be sure to look at and read through their website as often you'll find some of your answers there. 

Can they recommend other suppliers-if needed (this shows their relationships within the wedding industry). 

I have written an entire blog answering this exact question. :D   

Here is my blog on 8 Important questions to ask your potential makeup artist.  It also gives in depth reasons why you need to ask them. 

https://makeoversaust.com.au/hair-and-makeup-artists/8-important-questions-ask-potential-makeup-artist

xoxo

The best advice regarding looking for a hairstylist and makeup artist for your wedding is to start with bridal styling images. Start up a Pinterest board with your styling ideas. Speak to your vendors you've booked (receptions have seen it all and will know really reputable suppliers), ask your photographer if they can recommend anyone (they also see it all !) Reputation and experienced artists are crucial for a wedding day; as we've seen it all!  TIming on the wedding day is imperative so don't just go by images, look at the artists reviews. A photo of their work may look good  but It may have taken her 3 hours to execute that look that would take an experienced professional 45 minutes for example.  As hair and makeup is the first service on the wedding day, it can be a wonderfully exciting part of the day or completely stressful if they are running overtime. This impacts the entire day!

Artist friendliness.... another importantant factor. You've got to feel like you can speak your mind about the stying at the trial. Its cruicial to feel comfortable with your stylist or makeup artist because how you look on your wedding day is incredibly important! You have to be perfect! end of story! 

Don't leave booking in a stylist too late. Many of the popular wedding specialists get booked very far in advance if the wedding falls on a weekend. Midweek weddings (except Friday) are less of a concern but certainly if your wedding is a Saturday; start looking a a 12 month ahead leadtime to hold the date. Nothing worse than spending a few months shortening lists and then find you've made a decision but they are no longer available.  I hope these suggestions help! warm regards Kerrie, Director Magical Makeovers.

There are a few basic pieces of information makeup artists require before quoting brides which will be helpful straight off the bat... like what time of day the wedding is, what time you need to be ready by, how many people are getting ready and the location of preparation. If you have any allergies (eg. Latex, vitamin A, etc) .

but there are a few questions you should also ask your makeup/hair stylist...

If your main concern is budget: Ask what the price per head is, how much they charge for travel, if lashes and hair fillers are included. How much the booking fee is and if it's redeemable, and lastly if a

trial is included.

If you have a large group, are celebrating an early wedding, special skin requirements (like covering tattoos) or are on location (somewhere remote or seaside without amenities)  it's important to ask for a realistic time line for each person and how many artists will be required for the day. Don't forget that artists come from different locations and will add separate travel to the quotation. 

People with sensitive skin are recommended to ask what products the stylists use and it's helpful if you know what ingredients you are allergic to. Most professionals use reputable brands that are suitable for sensitive skin and photography (to avoid bounce back and the dreaded "white face").

I would recommend asking your hair and makeup artist the following questions:

How long will you require for services to be completed on the day?

Will you be bringing any additional artists to assist you and will this incur additional costs? (This is helpful if you are on a strict timeline and want to reduce hours of preparation).

What products do you use? (Only if this is important to you - some brides like to ensure they are matched with artists who chose cruelty free products for example)

How long have you been working as a bridal hair and makeup artist? (This is an important one to ask, as weddings are very different to special occasion bookings - artists should be well equipped in how to schedule timing of the day, able to work cohesively with other vendors, supply a range of products that suit a vast range of skin/hair tones/types, create looks that are designed to last).

What are your contingency plans in the case that you are no longer available (this could be due to Covid or other reasons) - will you assist in finding a replacement artist of the same calibre?