paying for make-up trial?

redwoodoriginal

Hi Ladies,

I was curious if it was standard to pay for a trial session with your make-up artist? I just got the pricing from a potential make-up artist and was floored to see that she is charging $75 for a trial session. Is this the norm? I just assumed the trial was free and i'd tip her. 

What have been your experiences?

Thanks!

Maggie0829

Yes, it is the standard to pay for a trial.  Remember you are booking an appointment with your stylist so of course she is going to charge you for it.  As for the cost, well that depends on your area and your salon and your stylist.

But yeah, paying for a trial is 100% normal.  This is her job so she isn't going to do this stuff for free.

redwoodoriginal

@Maggie - Thanks, I guess it does make sense, I just had heard differently from other brides, so I was surprised. If it is considered the norm, then it's all good!

manateehugger

Trials are definitely not free. You're using up their resources and their time that they could be using on a paying client, so of course you need to compensate them. 

Otherwise everyone could waltz around constantly requesting free trials from makeup artists for any random event! A few stylists I talked to had the trial cost discounted, but it still wasn't free.
 

redwoodoriginal

Yeah, it makes sense now that you guys say that. 

I just had heard from friends that their trials were free and they tipped them because they had already agreed to get their makeup done for the wedding by them. Hence, my confusion since I've never done professional makeup sessions before.

TeddiD34

These differ from artist to artist. Mine includes Wedding Day make up, free lashes and a trial for $50, and she's very good too. It may be a regional thing as well.

Becca0929

My trial is $60. I got super annoyed about it, but I had never thought about paying twice for something. She said I could pay $30 and she would take it off after she was done...but I'm just going to pay the full price and make the fiance take me out somewhere nice afterwards

MsNise812

My trial is $80. It covers hair and makeup so it's no biggie. I rather pay that and get an idea of how I will be looking the day of the wedding

misshart00

I think the only time where it would be "free" is if you bought some sort of package for the wedding day that included a trial. Kind of like when a photographer throws in an engagement session.

mysticl

xoadri said:

Yeah, it makes sense now that you guys say that. 

I just had heard from friends that their trials were free and they tipped them because they had already agreed to get their makeup done for the wedding by them. Hence, my confusion since I've never done professional makeup sessions before.

The price of the trial might have been built into the package so while they did not pay at the time of the trial they did end up paying for it.  

JennyColada

My trial for H+MU is $150!

brideofginger

Hair alone is $75/style for me. I had to talk my stylist into not doing a trial run... I don't think I can fathom $150 on hair alone.

redwoodoriginal

@mystic.. good point! Thanks for the info ladies

ashley8918

I think most charge. Mine (if I decide to go with her - still undecided because I am considering airbrush) does trails for free for the bride & $20 for anyone else.

kbiagio

Mine is 45 for Makeup & 75 for hair! Hopefully i'll get taken out to dinner cause i'll look all fancy!

starlite21l

I live in DC and mine is $200 so these all sound like a steal to me!!

rsbloom

Mine is in LA and was included in the price ($225) and for any BM or moms($85) who wanted a trial it was $40 for just hair, or $55 hair and makeup.  Both moms are having hair trials, because they haven't used my stylist before and have difficult hair.