Congrats! You are engaged! Now you are planning your wedding; you may have chosen your dress, and now what? It’s time to reserve your contracts. How much is bridal hair and makeup for your wedding? As you search, you may run into a bit of sticker shock. Bridal hair and makeup can cost anywhere from $200-$1,500. There are many factors to the cost, such as experience, travel, the desired makeup look, location, etc.
If you include a bridal party or family members and friends, the cost will be more. Some artists may offer packages. As you shop around, please consider all the factors and discuss all the options with your bridal hair and makeup artist. A good artist who has been in business for a long time should be able to explain how all the factors may affect your pricing. Happy shopping!
How Much is Bridal Makeup and What Should You Expect
How much bridal hair and makeup can cost will differ depending on factors. For example, the location of the wedding. Pricing and packages in Hollywood, California, will be much more expensive compared to Portland, Oregon. Location can play a part in travel fees. If a bride is getting married in a rural area, the makeup artist may have to travel to the bride’s venue location.
If you are considering a sunset or sunrise wedding, there may be a fee for the time of day you need the artist. For example, I charge an extra $100 fee if the bride needs me at her location before 7:00 AM. If the makeup artist is traveling from out of town and needs to stay the night in a hotel in preparation for an early start, then the bride will be charged a hotel and meal fee on top of the travel fee. I charge about $1.00 per mile. If I needed to stay in a hotel, then I would charge the bride for the hotel cost and two meals (dinner the night before and breakfast the morning of).
Bridal parties can be all shapes and sizes. In 2024, no bridal party or small bridal parties were trending. Most bridal hair stylists and makeup artists will charge per person. Please, as the bride, do not expect the makeup artist to give you a discount if they are requested to do more work. More work does equal a bigger cost to the artist and the bride. The makeup artist will need more time and will be using much more makeup products, doing five people instead of just the bride.
Some artists may or may not include a team member or additional artist to assist the bridal party. If I feel a bridal party would benefit from having another artist to help on the morning of the wedding, then I will charge the bride an “additional vendor fee” of $ 250 per additional artist.
The bridal makeup cost may be dependent on the makeup look the bride desires. Each artist will have a different price list for each look they provide. A “natural” makeup look may cost less than a “full glam” makeup look. Here are some examples of my work and how much I charged the bride:
Sightglass Photography
Bridal Hair & Makeup (two days plus travel): $ 1,800
Emily Skye Photography
Bridal Hair & Makeup (with travel): $ 900
Coreene Collins Makeup Artist
Bridal Hair & Makeup: $ 725
Bridal Service Cost: Is the price right? Or is it?
Bridal hair and bridal makeup have different costs. Makeup naturally is more expensive to purchase than hair products. Bridal Makeup may cost more than a Bridal hair service, or the price may be the same depending on the artist. I charge more if the bride is asking for a single service compared to asking for both.
If the bride is hiring two different artists who are not under the same company, then the pricing for each service will vary. The price will also change if the service takes more time. If a bride has hair down to her rear and she wants a large updo or lots of curls that will last until the sunrise of the next day. Then her bridal hair service will cost more.
Coreene Collins Makeup Artist
Why is this? Because more time equals more products used, which will require more money. If a bride is asking for an Ultra Glam makeup look, then there will be a cost of $100 more for that service. Again, if a service takes more time, then there will be an additional cost. If a bride asks for both a bridal hair and makeup service, then they receive a discount of $50-$75 since I am providing both services and do not have to work alongside a strange artist who I have never worked with before.
Brides, please communicate your budget to your future hair/makeup artists and always check their price list before you contact them.
Hiring an Artist: What to Consider
When hiring a bridal hair and makeup artist, there are many details to consider. Before you do your research, ask yourself. What do you want? As you continue to talk to many artists and do more research, your wants and needs might change. What you desire may also change the price of your bridal hair and makeup services.
Bridal trials, also known as bridal previews, are a necessity! I cannot stress that enough. Would you buy your wedding dress online without trying it on? No way! When should you reserve an artist and only see her on your wedding day? A bridal trial can either be included or an extra cost. I do not include the bridal trial in my package. Why? Because it is considered a separate service.
What type of makeup look do you want? Glamorous? Natural? Airbrushed? The look and the type of makeup you want may affect the overall cost of the bridal makeup service. For hair, do you want hair extensions? They will run anywhere from $150-$1,000 depending on the type you want.
I include false lashes in my bridal package, but some inexpensive artists may have them as an "add-on.". Other outside costs are travel and gratuity. You must pay your artist for their travel. If your work required you to travel hours away for a job, you would want to be compensated, right? Gratuity can be a tricky subject in today’s “tip culture." I do not include gratuity. I am old school and believe that if your artist has done more than asked of them, then they need to be tipped. Some artists, especially for large parties, will include gratuity in their contract.
Coreene Collins Makeup Artist
If the bride changes her look after the ceremony but right before the reception, then that will add to the bride’s total. For example, I have a bride who wore her hair up for her ceremony but wanted a down style for her reception. I charged her for a new hairstyle because it took the full hour required and then some.
If you add a bridal party, then there will be a service cost per person. If the bride and her party want touch-ups before the next part of the event, then that is also an extra cost to stay an additional hour or so. I charge $100 per extra hour.
Bridal Makeup: Why is it so expensive?
When talking to brides over the phone and they ask how much bridal makeup can cost, I hear often, “Why is it so expensive?”. This is a legitimate question. When shopping around, bridal makeup is the least expensive vendor that a bride will hire. Photographers and venues are so much more! But compared to a makeup counter, bridal makeup services are exponentially much more.
The reason is that these services are luxury services. I will ask my brides, “How much is your peace of mind worth?” It’s worth it to hire a professional artist with years of experience who has a contract and will move heaven and earth to show up at your wedding.
If you want to do makeup yourself, it’s possible! Here is a link to my blog post all about DIY bridal makeup:
So you’re a bride on a budget, great! Consider hiring a makeup artist to show you how to do your bridal makeup. Hire a friend who is good at their makeup or follow online tutorials and practice practice practice! Purchase less expensive makeup products to save money. Just be aware that they may not last 12 hours.
So WHY hire a professional?
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. You, as the bride, are wearing a beautiful dress, having photos taken, and are walking down a very expensive aisle. When you look back at your photos in 20 years, will you say to yourself, “Wow! I look so beautiful!” Or will you say to yourself, “Yuck, I hate pictures of myself”?
Hiring a professional hair and makeup artist is an investment in yourself, your photos, and your peace of mind. Friends and cheap makeup artists will flake on you. Professionals have years of experience, contracts, and insurance. Your hair and makeup will last all day. Hire the professional; better yet, hire me!
When and How Do I Book a Professional Artist?
Photo by Chelsey Dorr Photography
You should book your bridal hairstylist and makeup artist six months before your wedding day. Most wedding planning books or apps will recommend booking your hair and makeup artist two to three months before your wedding. This is honestly too late to find an artist.
After booking, the artist will help you book your bridal trial/preview. Some makeup artists will require a deposit or nonrefundable container upfront. Payment options will include cash, debit/credit card, Venmo, and other apps. No one is taking personal checks anymore.
Bridesmaids: Cultural Tradition vs Modern Inflation
Your bride tribe has found their dresses, and they are talking about how to wear their hair. The question is, who will pay for their hair and makeup services? Bridesmaid or family hair and makeup can cost anywhere from $150-$300 per person. Tradition states it is the bride that pays for everything, almost like a thank you to the party.
Photo by Toutle River Creative Photo
However, due to rising wedding costs and changes in tradition, most parties are on their own to pay for their dresses, hair, and makeup. I say, Do what works for you. If you can gift these services to your party, then go for it! If not, clearly communicate with them; they will need to provide their own hair and makeup services.
From a Bridal Makeup Artist: Wedding Day Expectations
The wedding day is fast approaching, and you have booked your bridal hair and makeup artist. Now is the time to book your bridal trial for 1-3 months before the wedding. At your trial, you will be asked about any additional beauty services you plan on getting before the morning of your wedding.
Manicures/pedicures can be done two or three days before the wedding. Spray tans should be done a week before and facials need to be done at least ten days before the wedding. I recommend brides start their “beauty journey” 6 months before the wedding. This is a good time to start eating healthier and exercise or try a new hair color.
Facials need to happen once to twice a month to get that “bridal glow”. Investing in professional shampoo/conditioner and hair treatments will help your hair be healthy and shiny for the big day.
On the wedding day, your hair and makeup artist will need 20 minutes to set up their equipment and two hours to do your hair and makeup services. They will need more time for a bridal party and should include a timeline in your package with them.
Photo by Taelynmae Photo
Photo by Taelynmae Photo
Bridal Makeup Artists: To help make your day even more special.
After reading this entire blog, the conclusion is- HIRE AN ARTIST! Once you have reserved a venue and bought your wedding dress, then it’s time to shop for a bridal hair and makeup artist. Come up with a budget and pick three artists to talk to. Get them on the phone or Zoom and feel their vibes.
Do you and they get along? Do you vibe? This is important! Artists work very closely with brides, other vendors do not. The vibe and the artistry go hand in hand. Do you want to look and feel your best on the wedding day? Is your peace of mind valuable to you? Then hire an artist! Reach out to me! Let’s chat!
How Much is Wedding Makeup and Hair? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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This does vary. Anywhere from $0 if they do it themselves or $100-$200 depending on the artist. I charge $ 195 per bridesmaid/family member.scription text goes here
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Yes! I see it all the time, but then again, do what is best for you.Description text goes here
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Because it is a luxury service with luxury products a professional education is required.
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Item desIf the professional makeup artist is the right fit for you then yes! Investing in yourself is always worth it. Read my reviews, my brides are very happy with their hair and makeup services.cription