Bridal Makeup Artists - Does Experienced mean Expensive

You've heard the old sayings "you get what you pay for" and "if you pay peanuts you get monkeys" but do these sayings hold true when it comes to hiring a professional makeup artist for your wedding day?

And if yes, does "experienced" mean higher priced?

Undoubtedly, yes (in most cases) it does. When it comes to choosing a bridal makeup artist experience comes with a higher price tag. It is important to note that you should not base experience merely on the number of years spent working in the industry as number of years does not always equate to 'real' experience. Some makeup artists only work part-time in the industry or are hobbyist's. Experience such as this will not equate to real expertise that results in elevated pricing.

When considering a bridal makeup artist's experience there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

1. Is the experience they state demonstrated? Makeup artists demonstrate skill and experience through a portfolio of work. Most bridal makeup artists have websites in which you can view their work online. Some of the experienced makeup artists will split their bridal work and their commercial or fashion related work into two separate sites. However it's demonstrated, the work they have chosen to exhibit should show various ethnicities and styles and the images should demonstrate a consistent high quality. There need not be hundreds of images to prove this but there needs to be enough to show diversity in their work.

2. Is the experience demonstrated by the makeup artist in more than one sector? A very experienced makeup artist will have worked or is working in more than just the bridal industry. Watch for samples of print, commercial, advertising or TV work. A well rounded makeup artist has worked in a variety of areas in the industry and can provide the most valued experience on your wedding day. Why? The more avenues a makeup artist has worked in will suggest a diverse skill set that you can benefit from. It's logical to assume that set of skills will come at a price. An experienced makeup artist will know by asking a few simple questions how to give you the look you want and also ensure you look great on camera. They do this type of work all the time for many different clients, not just for brides. This kind of experience is invaluable to you on your wedding day.

A diverse skill set also demonstrates trust within the industry and if commercial/corporation companies, fashion photographers, etc., trust their work this should also provide you with the confidence in your decision making process.

Also consider the more popular/busier a makeup artist is, the more pricey they will likely be. It's the old supply and demand rule! Therefore, you should always search for those makeup artists that are in high demand as this will demonstrate their skill in the field. There is usually a reason why everyone wants to book them!

So, should you still consider a budget or cheaper makeup artist for your wedding day? Not unless you want to risk your bridal beauty, your photographs that last a lifetime and your piece of mind. A budget makeup artist will almost always lack the kind of experience you need and want for the most important day of your life.

My advice...set your bridal beauty budget after you've done your bridal makeup artist research, understand which quality makeup artists are in high demand in your area and choose the makeup artist that demonstrates the points above. Remember... when it comes to bridal makeup artists, if the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is.