FAQ Bridal Edition

Meeting
I love your work but I would feel more comfortable having you work on me before booking you.
Of course! A "trial before the trial" appointment is just what it sounds like! If you would like to schedule an appointment with me to make sure I would be the perfect fit for you and your bridal party on your wedding day, let's set it up! This is it’s own fee just as if you contacted me to have your hair and/or makeup done for a night on the town. It is separate from the bridal package pricing and payment must be paid the day of the appointment.
Booking your day
I have read all of the information posted on Beauty by Maria’s website (pricing, deposit, trial appointment, travel, etc.) How do I book you for my wedding date?
I require a $150 non-refundable deposit to hold your wedding date. This deposit will be applied toward your total balance. I will send you my contract to fill out and have back to me at least 3 months prior to your wedding day. Please note, until you pay your deposit, your wedding date will remain available for others to book. Once the deposit is paid, that day is closed to all others who may contact me. I never take more than one bridal party in a day.
Timeline
What size party do you accommodate? How long does it take for hairstyling and a makeup application?
Almost any size bridal party can be accommodated. I have a licensed co-stylist and makeup artist who comes with me to help when I have large parties.
Hairstyling typically takes around 45 minutes and a makeup application takes 45 minutes. I will take up to 5 hours worth of work alone. Should you require my co-stylist to cut the time in half (for 6 hours or less), an additional fee will be added to your balance.
Parties over 6 hours will require my co-stylist to help at no additional charge. Should you require a third stylist/makeup artist, a fee will be added to your balance.
Replicating a look
Can you duplicate a makeup look from pictures in a magazine or from Pinterest?
I always love pictures as inspiration but tailor each look to my clients’ face shape and complexion. In the case of makeup, these pictures are usually overly photoshopped and appear flawless, this is an unrealistic expectation. I prefer to apply makeup in a way that it enhances your natural beauty. Pictures are always great as a point of reference.
Payment and Tipping
What methods of payment do you accept?
I accept cash, Venmo, PayPal and credit card (3% convenience fee will be added to use a card).
What is a standard percentage for tipping?
Typically you tip a hairdresser and a makeup artist what you would tip a waitress. A standard tip for a hairdresser/makeup artist is around 20% or whatever you feel is sufficient for the job they have done.
Trial appointment
When should I make my trial appointment? Can my mother/MIL make a trial appointment with you?
I recommend 4-6 weeks MAXIMUM before your wedding, but you can absolutely make the trial appointment at anytime if you are not comfortable with the 4-6 week timeframe. I contact you 2-3 months prior to your wedding date to set up a day for your trial appointment. If you require a second trial appointment, that can be arranged. A second trial is separate from the bridal package pricing and payment must be paid the day of the appointment.
Anyone who feels more comfortable having a trial appointment is more than welcome to set one up before the wedding day at an additional fee.
This will take approximately 90 minutes for both hair and makeup, 1 hour for hair only, 1 hour for makeup only. I schedule trial appointments on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 11AM-5PM and Fridays 9AM-1PM.
Airbrushing vs. Traditional makeup
Do you offer airbrush makeup?
I do not offer airbrush makeup. It is always hard for me to put an explanation into a short summary as to why I do not airbrush and why it isn’t always the best choice in comparison to traditional makeup. Airbrush makeup will NOT make you look flawless which is a common misconception because most people get airbrush makeup confused with ‘airbrushing’ in Photoshop. All of the makeup in my kit is hand chosen by me after lots and lots of testing and practicing on others and myself for all weather conditions and circumstances. I only use products that I personally know will wear well and last all day and night; that can be cried in, sweat in, and rained on, applying and blending everything by hand. Nothing will be flawless and last forever but I do my best to find the most suitable products for my bridal parties. I do not use one certain brand of makeup however, due to some sensitivities, I can provide a list of products I use upon request.
What to expect at your trial
What should I expect the day of my trial appointment?
At your trial appointment, you can bring someone with you whose opinion you trust. You can bring your veil if you have one, and any other hair accessories you may have for the big day. Bringing pictures are welcome as a point of reference. If you have clip in extensions, please bring them clean and dry.
A hair trial appointment lasts around 1 hour. A makeup trial appointment lasts around 1 hour. A trial appointment for both hair and makeup usually lasts about 2 hours. We will discuss any day of wedding details that need to be discussed and go over the contract with each other. I schedule trial appointments on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 11AM-5PM and Fridays 9AM-1PM.
I take a picture of the hair and makeup once we are finished, to keep on file until your wedding day. Should you need an additional trial, this will be an additional fee due at the time of the appointment.
Travel
I am getting married out of town, do you travel?
On your wedding day, we will come to you in the comfort of your own home, hotel, venue, or wherever you will be. We travel up to 15 miles with no travel fee. A travel fee of $1.16 per mile round trip ($.58 there and back) will be applied if the travel will be between more than 15 miles from my home in Howell, MI for parties of more than 3.
All parking fees will also be applied to travel balance. You will be expected to cover all costs for hotel accommodations where it is not practical to travel on the day of your wedding i.e. limited time available, distance, weather conditions, etc.
Parties of 3 or less, will be charged a flat rate travel fee of $60 + mileage as stated above.
If site location is 60 miles or more away, hotel accommodations must be made (1 room) for my co-stylist and myself for the night before the wedding day. All parking fees will also be applied to travel balance. In addition to hotel coverage, a travel fee of $1.16 per mile round trip ($.58 there and back) will be applied.
There will be an additional fee of $150 if we are booked on any federal holiday or holiday weekend as stated below:
New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Memorial Day weekend, Independence Day (July 4th), Independence Day weekend, Labor Day , Labor Day weekend, Thanksgiving Day and weekend, Christmas Day and weekend
Skin/Hair Prep
What should I do in preparation for the big day?
Makeup services: in order to get your skin looking and feeling great for the big day, we recommend keeping a consistent skincare regimen for your skin type; cleansing the skin morning and night, applying a toner (optional) and applying a moisturizer. Skin should be exfoliated 3 times a week in order to keep it looking and feeling fresh and to help keep the dead skin cells away. The day of your makeup application, be sure to have the skin cleansed and moisturized and eyebrows tweezed of any stray hairs, or waxed a few days prior. I also have a very knowledgable esthetician I can refer to you for facials!
Hair services: The day of your wedding be sure you and your bridesmaids have your hair clean and blown dry. The same goes for any clip in extensions. Blow drying wet hair takes up additional time and we want to make sure the getting ready process goes smoothly and stays on track. Any other instructions will be given at your trial appointment.