MUA Nightmare
FYI it’s a long story:
About a year ago I inquired with this makeup artist about getting my makeup done for my engagement photoshoot. She did an amazing job and I knew I wanted her to do my makeup from that point forward. So a couple days later I inquired about her services for my wedding day. I told her that it would be 12 girls and I told her the city of the getting ready location because I didn’t have an exact address yet. I also stated I would need to be ready by 12PM. She tells me she can do it and she would bring another makeup artist along to help. Before signing the contract I inquired about her minimum because I understand that the service must be worth it for them to put in time and effort. She tells me her minimum is 5+bride, which I accept because I know I have surpassed that. So I agree and sign the contract and pay the deposit. I guess I should’ve started seeing red flags because when she created the time slots she gave herself 7 girls and the other artist 5 girls. I didn’t think anything of it because I figured they’re a team they’ll work it out. She also had us starting at 5:30 in the morning which was insane because I don’t think anyone wants to have their makeup done that early! As time went by I inquired about pushing the start time back…she never really adjusted the schedule and said I’ll be fine and not to worry. I again inquired about her and the other makeup artist’s minimum, she said 5+bride and the other makeup artist was 5. Then she starts discussing the distance and says she needs to book a hotel room so she’s well rested, and that I needed to cover this, again I didn’t mind but this was never mentioned prior to signing the contract. She sends me the updated contract with mileage and the room added, I didn’t sign it because I knew there was going to be a potential change with the number of girls which she would probably not need a room for. I do end up having a bridesmaid drop out so I text her immediately about 3-4 months prior stating this and I made a tentative schedule for her to review. She doesn’t review it and tells me we can discuss at the trial. She starts telling me I have to pay for the studio rental and gives me the total of $315. We agree on a date and time. The trial rolls around and I drove through 1.5 hours of traffic, I was running late so I text her to let her know, she calls me and tells me that she didn’t have me down and she was sorry etc. I took a day off work because I wanted to see both my hair and makeup done together. She asks to reschedule so we reschedule to two days later. With the time I had I started reviewing our emails/texts and found out the trial cost $200. Time passes and she never confirms the location or anything in general, I had to text her the morning of to ask if we were still on. She said yes and that the rental was on her. So I let her do the trial and when she’s done she asks to be paid, I let her know it’s $200 and she said she went up on her prices and I said I had an email and she agreed but demanded a tip. I paid her, then I brought up the bridesmaid dropping off and if we could review the schedule. She looks at the schedule and says she’ll talk to the other MUA to see if she still wants to come because she would be down to 4 girls. I again don’t think anything of it, and assumed she would confirm with me first before doing anything. A couple days go by and I had to reach out to her to get an update! I was polite and she just sends me the updated schedule in the most confusing manner with conflicting start times. So I ask her if it’s possible to move a girl from her schedule (if 7) and move it to the other MUA’s schedule (of 4). Mind you I’m still meeting her minimum. She texts me stating “let me explain so you know what’s going on on my end” and continues to tell me how she has bills and a daughter and that me taking a girl from her schedule is her losing money etc. I responded in a professional tone stating that I’m the bride and I should have my requests granted regardless of financial issues. She says she’ll talk to the other MUA and see, then tells me that they need two separate hotel rooms and the mileage from the city to the suburbs was 90 both ways (it was <40) but whatever I knew I would address it later. So I don’t respond to the text and she calls me explaining that this is a business and that the other MUA is an independent contractor and she has no control over her etc. and ends it with she can’t take an extra girl. So I said that’s fine and that I’m not paying for an extra room and I correct her on the mileage. She says she’ll update it and so I text her after the phone call confirming this MUA can’t take an extra girl. She tells me no. So I say fine, I have a bridesmaid dropping off your list and this should not be an issue because I met the minimum. She basically loses it saying she’s been nothing but transparent and blah blah blah. I explained that unfortunately I can’t control them and if they don’t want the service then I shouldn’t force them. She then tells me it’s fine but I would still get charged for the two girls dropping off. She claimed the contract was created based on the number of girls and not necessarily meeting the minimum. At this point I’m looking for a different MUA but I feel like she definitely owes me my deposit back because I didn’t mind paying mileage and travel rates but a hotel was ridiculous. She was being money hungry and making me accommodate her mess. FYI: this MUA is based on Chicago.