Wedding day “Beauty” with Cindy Stirling

Should I book a Hair stylist and Makeup artist for my wedding day?

Your wedding day will forever be remembered not only in your memory but through the photographs and videography. Hiring a professional makeup artist and hairstylist will help ensure that you'll be looking gorgeous in person and in those lasting memories! A lot of professional freelance hair stylists and makeup artists work closely with photographers and know what professional products to use and not to use since flash photography/tv makeup is very different than your everyday makeup. Make sure to do your research and even ask the photographer you've booked for your wedding day if he has any referrals or recommendations. Photographers will thank you for it. It’s a lot less photoshop and color correction when booking someone who knows!

How do I book my Beauty stylist?

Referrals are the best way to find the perfect stylist for you, listen to your friends, every recommendation, and do your own homework. When you're researching for your hair and makeup artist. You need to ask yourself a few questions: "Do I want one artist that does both hair and makeup, or do I want to hire stylists individually?" "Am I interested in airbrush makeup or classic foundation (ask makeup artist if they offer airbrush and maybe try it out during your trial appointment).” "Will I want hair extensions added to my hairstyle?" "Will I need to find extensions on my own or does my hairstylist offer them."

Booking a Preview/Trial appointment.

I recommend that all bride's book a preview/trial appointment before their wedding day (average cost of a trial is $95+ per service and can go up depending on how many styles you want to see). You will want to meet and book your professional beauty stylist to make sure your personalities are compatible, as she/he will feel like a member of the bridal party the morning of your wedding. You should be able to communicate and agree on a look and style that is timeless and flows with the theme, color scheme, wedding dress and the season of your wedding. Professional stylists help to ensure bride’s will be happy with their final look and will feel at ease knowing all their beauty needs will be taken care of on the day of the wedding. 

Having a trial appointment before the wedding day also reassures you how the makeup and hair will wear, last and if you’d like to make any changes (ie: smokey eye could be a tad smokier or I’d like to go with the darker lip you suggested.).

What should I expect to pay for a professional stylist, and do I need to tip?

You may find that stylists who've been in the industry longer have higher prices than newer stylists. This is because some may have a minimum quota in order to book or reserve weekend (Friday through Sunday) weddings and because these stylists have more years of experience and are in higher demand. They know their timing, how to react on last minute changes and what professional products actually work and hold up, through tears and every type of weather. This will be up to you if you're on a budget. You know the saying “You get what you pay for” is true in most cases. Not saying newer stylists aren't amazing at their craft as everyone starts somewhere. They just might have fewer weddings/experiences under their belt. 

You will find that every stylist charges differently. Most you will find is price per service for the bridal party averaging $75 per service on the lower end and up to $150 per service on the higher end. Bridal services $100 $ 250. Some may offer bridal packages or a day rate (how many hours you want to book). You will also find set hour rates when you book through a bridal booking agency where they can pay their employees who they send to your wedding. To me that's not a very personable experience.

Tipping is not included in most stylists prices but always appreciated as in most personal service industries. You drive to your stylist and tip them 20% every time, right?! If you think about it your stylist is bringing her beauty salon to you. They bring their own chairs, tables and lighting, not to mention every type of professional product that will match all skin tones and hair textures. If they don’t have all of that you think again about you you book or if you should tip them. You should tip because you feel the service and experience they provided was worth the extra percentage.

Reserving your wedding date

Most stylists require you to sign their contract and pay a deposit. They will not reserve your date until it's signed and collected. Depending on how far in advance you book your wedding date it may be too early to have a trial appointment because the style you envision may change. It's recommended to have a trial within two months prior to your wedding date. Some may require deposit before the initial trial run if you're booking out in advance. You could possibly set up an appointment for hair and makeup for your engagement session or another event just to make sure you're satisfied with their work prior to booking the trial appointment. You don't want to miss out on them booking someone else on your wedding day because you wanted to wait on the holding deposit. Contracts are a must! Could you imagine if you were all set up and prepared for your wedding day but the stylist fell through and decided to go out of town last minute?! YIKES!

A contact keeps both sides honest. It protects stylist and client. Contracts make your wedding day beauty services finalized and the stylist should not book any other services until there the set finish time is completed and everyone satisfied.

Day of wedding!

The morning of your wedding day is a fun time with your favorite friends and family, basically a kickoff to your wedding. Most brides have brunch type foods laid out to snack on with water, coffee and mimosas! Typically each service for hair and makeup takes 45 minutes and an hour for each service for the bride. Depending on how large the bridal party is and what time everyone needs to be ready by. You can start as early as 6 am for 12 pm weddings or 10 am for 4pm ceremonies. The morning of your wedding flies by and most brides think they'll be sleeping in but are usually the first to wake and prefer a later start time. In my experience more time is better because it's less stress being so rushed. Brides always request to be the last one ready but let me assure you one hour isn't going to make a huge difference. I prefer to never let the bride go last. "The environment starts to get rushed and loud with the last minute finalization, the arrival of flowers, arrival of photographers with videographers, and everyone asking last minute questions. Wouldn't you prefer to already be ready and look good in all the behind the scenes detail pictures?! I think YES! Other options are to hire more stylists for an extra hiring fee (the beauty expert you hire will/should bring her team since she knows she works well with them on timing) will ensure everyone is finished in a shorter amount of time. Or if it's just the bride you'll just need one stylist for both services. After the party is finished and veil is placed. Hair and makeup team is finished, some brides prefer to have the artist stay for an hourly rate for touch ups or for her or to change the style of her hair from ceremony to reception.

Tips from the stylist …

Cindy Stirling been a licensed cosmetologist since 2004, and professional makeup artist hair stylist entrepreneur traveling around the globe for weddings and tv/media/Photoshoots. She has an eye for detail on and off camera. Making sure all her clients/brides look and feel their best. Cindy goes above and beyond because she’s seen it all being in this industry for over a decade. She knows how stressful you've been coming up to your big day and how perfect you dreamed this day will be. Without fail she basically becomes your personal assistant, wedding planner assistant, time manager, while putting all your beauty needs first. Cindy’s brides always tell her “ she made them feel like a celebrity and did more for them than in her job description.” 

Cindy Stirling | Cindystirling.com | IG: cindystirling_muah