Frequently Asked Questions
What is your booking process?
After you inquire via our website form, we will check availability for your date and send you some customized information & pricing via email. You are welcome to ask any questions you have. We will then send a contract and invoice to your email for you to sign and return.
What does communication look like after I book?
We will schedule your trial run (if a trial is desired), and check in for inspiration photos along with a photo of yourself
We follow up within a week of your trial for any notes or changes to your look to pass on to your artists
We will reach out to confirm your timeline 6-8 weeks prior to the wedding
We will send a final “week of” check in, confirmation of all day of & location info, along with prep instructions for your party
We will follow up to see how your services went within a week of your event.
We are more than happy to answer any questions and help with anything needed in the interim as well!
When should I schedule my trial?
We typically recommend doing your trial 2-4 months before your event date, since you’ll typically have a very clear vision of the wedding look you’d like by then, as well as any accessories or veil they will be wearing on hand. We do not typically schedule trials to occur on Saturdays.
Can I do my trial before booking my wedding date?
If you feel more comfortable scheduling your trial before booking, we are happy to get you scheduled ASAP. We do not recommend waiting until 2-4 months before your wedding date in this situation. If you’d like to do this, please let us know a handful of upcoming times you have availability and we will get you scheduled as soon as possible. Also, please keep in mind, we are not able to hold artists availability on your date without a deposit and contract.
Will my trial artist/s be the same artist/s for my event date?
Yes. We always schedule the same artist/s for your trial as your event date to allow extra time for consultation, refining your wedding day look, and getting to know each other.
How do you decide which artists are placed on my event?
We try to place artists who are based closest to your location, and also consider your desired look when selecting artists for your wedding day. Feel free to browse our wonderful artists’ bios and portfolios to see who feels like a good fit! We will gladly place them on your event if they are available or recommend artists based on your style preferences. Artist portfolios listed here:
Midwest: https://www.blushandbraidsbeautybar.com/team
PNW: https://www.blushandbraidsbeautybar.com/pnw-team
Can you work with all skin tones and complexions?
Yes, all of our artists carry a global shade range and have experience working with all skin types, tones, and all ages. Our team takes pride in education, and shade matching masterclasses are offered on a regular basis for our artists. Your artist will make custom recommendations based on your specific needs and preferences.
You can see some examples of work on a range of skin tones here:
Do you work with naturally curly and coiled hair types?
Yes. We are obsessed with your natural hair, and have many artists who are curly specialists, experienced with wavy to kinky hair. We offer our artists yearly master trainings in product knowledge, curl enhancing techniques and styling methods to enhance what your Mama gave you! Check out some of out curly girls here, and put in your request for your curl-loving stylist today!
When do I need to have my service count finalized?
Your final headcount will need to be finalized no later than 60 days before your wedding date. This is when your final invoice balance is due and when we begin to draft your day of beauty service schedule.
Why is “Guest of Honor” pricing different from attendee pricing?
The pricing difference for “guest of honor” services accounts for a few things: extra time spent for administrative duties, coordinating and scheduling, and all duties leading up to the wedding day.
We also schedule extra time for “guest of honor” services to allow for thorough consultation, any extras (veil/extensions/accessories, flowers, etc) and to ensure we have extra time for any edits desired so that you feel relaxed and ready to go. Application of clip ins or cluster lashes are included for “guest of honor” if desired, and we also provide complimentary hair and makeup touch up kits to all of our “guests of honor” . ☺️
My party wants natural makeup & simple hairstyles. Is pricing set?
Yes, all pricing for hairstyles and makeup applications are a set rate, based on the amount of time booked for each service. All hairstyles and make up applications for attendees 9 and under are at the children’s rate. Attendees 10 years old and up will be set at the adult attendee rate of $100 + gratuity.
What happens if I don’t love my trial? Is my deposit refundable?
The deposit is non-refundable, however, we always check in within a few days of your trial to get feedback and see if you have any notes or changes for your wedding day look. Typically any minor edits do not call for another trial.
If you have more than minor changes that need to be made, we will either assist in scheduling another trial with your same artist- or, if for some reason, you were unhappy with the artists work, or did not feel like it was a match, we would place you with another artist and schedule another trial to make sure you’re feeling 100% on your big day
We truly care about your experience and will do everything in our power to ensure you feel like the most beautiful version of yourself on such a special day
Do you offer lashes only?
Yes, lash only application is $25.
Do you offer cluster lashes?
Yes, cluster lash application for brides, or guest of honor is included, and is $30 for attendees as an add on service
How much is it to have clip in extensions put in?
Application of clip ins for the brides or guests of honor are included, and is $25 for attendees as an add on service. Any attendee using their own clip ins for styles must have the extensions applied by their artist to ensure proper placement for the specific style. Clip ins must be 100% Remy human hair. We will not work with synthetic hair as you cannot style with heat, and synthetic hair can appear out of place in flash photography.
Do you offer airbrush?
Yes, airbrush is included in the base rate for all make up applications, if desired.
Do you offer eyes only makeup?
Yes, eyes only makeup includes primer, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and lashes and is $100 for the bride or guest of honor and $60 for attendees.
Do you offer complexion only makeup?
Yes, complexion only makeup includes skin prep, foundation, concealer, contour, blush, highlighter, and a setting spray. It’s $100 for the guest of honor, or $60 for attendees.
Can we have our Artist/s stay for touch ups or a second look?
Yes! As long as there is artist availability, we are happy to schedule your artist/s for a second look, or touchups. The rate is $115/hr per Artist from the completion of services until the time they leave the event site.
How is travel calculated?
Artists are traveling from their homes, so travel is calculated at .75/mi round trip from your artist(s) individual locations. We do select artists with the closest proximity for each event, but if placement is dependent on availability at the time of inquiry as well as artist compatibility in relation to your inspiration and vision for your wedding day style.
Do I need to provide lodging for my artists?
Lodging is required the night before events for artists who will be traveling more than 2.25 hours each way from their location. This will be negotiated at the time of booking. Lodging at the hotel the bridal party is staying at is preferred if applicable, but if not available we will select the closest & safest lodging option for our artists and submit our receipts to the client for reimbursement. If there is more than one artist that will need lodging before your event, multiple rooms may be required.
My wedding party is paying for their own services. Can they pay on the day of the wedding?
Payment is due in one lump sum, 60 days before your event. We do this to streamline our process, and cut down on time the day of. This also allows us to ensure we are able to pay out our freelancers in a timely fashion.
Most of our clients who are having their party pay a la cart will send out a group message or email to collect via Zelle/Venmo/PayPal etc, and remit payment in one lump sum.
What payment options do you offer?
We prefer payment via ACH bank transfer, processed through Square invoices. We also accept credit/debit card (with an added 3% processing fee), processed through Square invoices. We also accept payment via Venmo (blushandbraids-beautybar) or Zelle (blushandbraidsbeautybar@gmail.com).
How much time is needed for beauty services?
We allow 15 mins set up, 45 mins per service for bridal party & attendee, and 60 mins per service for brides or guest of honor. We always schedule in an extra 30 minutes of buffer and touch up time at the end of the schedule in case anything is running behind and to allow time for touch ups - so nothing is rushed and everyone is photo ready
We will let you know an estimated time breakdown at the time of service count and end time confirmation, and will draft your itemized beauty schedule according to your preferences between 30-45 days prior to your wedding date. Please return to us with your guests names filled in the timeslots by 14 days before your event.
What should I provide for my artists the day of my event?
Your artist(s) will need adequate surface space to set up their tools & supplies, access to outlets, and a chair for each artist (regular height for hairstylists and bar height for makeup). Most hotels and venues have seating available for guest use upon request.
Access to a mirror is also preferred- our artists come prepared hand mirrors, but another mirror on site to see the back of your hairstyle from all angles is a plus
Can you accommodate severe allergies?
While hypoallergenic products can be requested, hypoallergenic products are not made with specific or severe allergies in mind. If you or anyone in your party has severe allergies, please let us know when booking so we can ensure we can accommodate. Due to liability, we are not able to use clients’ products that have already been opened/used, even if they accommodate your specific allergy.
What is your service minimum?
We do have a 4 service minimum OR minimum compensation of $600 + travel per Artist for weekend travel. This would be your hair and make up plus one other hair and make up or any combination of four total services on your wedding day (trials not included).
Do you offer Elopement only packages for only 1 person?
Yes! We are happy to work with guest of honor / bride only at the rate of $600 + travel per Artist for weekend travel. Weekday elopements do not have a $$ minimum and are charged at the rates listed on our website under service pricing.
Gratuity:
20% gratuity is added to the service amount for all wedding and special occasion services. We do this to ensure our artists are properly compensated for their time and efforts traveling packing, sanitizing, unpacking, and traveling with all of their professional items, along with the preliminary work that is required to ensure a high level of service. This also consolidates things on the day of and eliminates the need to carry cash. We automatically include gratuity in our payments to our team.
What is the difference between a freelance artist vs co owner?
Freelance artists are our trusted team members. You can view their bios and portfolios here on our website. Freelance artists have varying specialities and experience levels. All of them have been interviewed and trained to adhere to our standards of sanitation, customer service, and artistry.
Working with one of the co-owners means you’re specifically requesting makeup with Sarah or hair with Katie. We of course have our own styles and portfolios as well! Working with us means we will be physically, mentally, and emotionally present for every step of your beauty process, from the booking, to the trials, to the many emails, to the wedding day itself.
What is your hiring process?
All of our artists are required to do a working interview to ensure proper artistry and sanitation protocols. We also provide additional training in styling, core values alignment, consultations, and professionalism. Artists have a secure working contract with us as a company, and are trusted members of our team.
How to prepare for hair services -
Find inspo pictures and be able to explain what you like about them to your artist. We recommend no more than 3 inspo pictures. We recommend checking out our work for inspo - @blushandbraidsbeautybar on Instagram. If you’re searching pinterest, we recommend finding images that showcase similar hair color, length, and hair texture as you.
Come alone, or with 1 trusted VIP. We will be consulting with you, the person receiving services, directly.
Arrive with clean dry hair, preferably diffused or blow dried. Straight or fine hair should arrive without product in the hair. Naturally curly/kinky hair that would like to use their natural texture should arrive with dry hair, prepared with light products, such as curl and/or frizz cream. Naturally curly/kinky hair that would like to use a smoother or looser wave will need to arrive with blow dried straight hair, but do not flat iron. Please do not put any hair oil in prior to your services.
Bring any details or accessories you feel are necessary (veil, clips, etc).
Have realistic expectations. Extensions are used in many styles you see online.
How to prepare for makeup services -
Find inspo pictures and be able to explain what you like about them to your artist. We recommend checking out our Instagram for inspo - @blushandbraidsbeautybar on Instagram. If you’re searching pinterest, we recommend finding images that showcase similar hair color, eye color, and skin tone as you.
Come alone, or with 1 trusted VIP. We will be consulting with you, the person receiving services, directly.
Arrive with a clean face and no makeup on. If you feel it absolutely necessary to apply moisturizer prior to your appointment, please be sure it does not have SPF.
Bring any details or accessories you feel are necessary (if you want pearls or rhinestones in your look, etc).
Have realistic expectations. Makeup cannot remove wrinkles or texture.
How to schedule beauty services leading up to the wedding:
Spray Tan: 48 hours before event
Hair Removal: 7 days before event
Facials/Dermaplaning/other skin care services: minimum 7 days before event
Hair cut/color: 2 weeks before event
Botox: 2 weeks
Filler: 4 weeks
Lash extensions: 3-7 days
Airbrush VS Traditional
Airbrush is included for all makeup applications if desired.
Traditional foundation is applied with brushes or sponges and can be used for light to full coverage. Many artists find traditional makeup to be more forgiving for very dry or textured skin.
It can last all day with a couple powder/blotting touch ups as needed.
Airbrush makeup is applied in a fine mist, and can be used for all skin types. It is recommended for light to medium coverage (or layered with traditional for full coverage). It is very sweat & water resistant, which makes it last all day. Airbrush is known for photographing well.
Extensions
Rentals: We have a large color selection of 18 inch clip ins hair extensions. They are 100% remy, human hair and are cleaned and sanitized thoroughly between wears. They are $70 per wear (trial and wedding day). They must be shipped back to our studio detangled and in the original packaging by the Wednesday after each wear.
Purchase: We carry 18 inch Babe and Bellami 100% remy human hair clip in extensions in a large variety of colors in both salon locations. These are $200 + tax. We are also able to Custom order your color in 16, 20 & 22 inch options. Pricing is available here: https://www.blushandbraidsbeautybar.com/salonservices