Average cost of wedding hair and makeup

When you daydream about your wedding day, you probably imagine what you will look like walking down the aisle: the outfit, the shoes, the flowers and, of course, the finishing touch: hairstyle and makeup! Your wedding hairstyle and makeup can be an integral part of how you feel on your big day – and how you look in photos – so it’s often one of the most important parts of any wedding budget.

However, as the bridal market continues to grow and explode, prices for bridal hair and makeup can be ubiquitous. What should you look for when starting your search for artists who will bring your vision to life, and how much should you expect to pay for your wedding hairstyle and makeup? We spoke with two industry experts, Sarah Naslund and Erica T. Martell, to help you determine what to expect and what to watch out for.

Average cost of wedding hair

According to Naslund, the average cost of wedding hair is around $ 100 to $ 350. Of course, prices can change depending on what you are looking for, when you get married and where you live. For example, you can pay more in New York than in Nebraska. It can also depend on the stylist’s level of experience, as you are paying for their time and talents.

What’s included

The bridal hairstyle means exactly that: you will start with clean, dry hair (unlike what you might have heard dirty hair is no better) and your stylist will create the look you want, whether it’s a sleek low bun, an undone braid, or simple curls.

Pay close attention to what the stylist offers in their packages or price lists. Some stylists may charge $ 250 for the bride and between $ 50 and $ 100 per style for the wedding or the couple’s mothers. Some may include a trial session in their pricing, while others charge separately. When connecting with a stylist, you need to make sure you talk about any potential expenses and be very clear about your needs so that there aren’t any surprises down the road. For example, Naslund personally charges $ 275 for a bridal hairstyle and charges the trip and the trial separately. However, she doesn’t charge extra for the clip-in extensions used to create the final look and creates mini bridal styling kits on D-Day and beyond with hairspray and dry shampoo. Every stylist is different, so make sure you’re on the same page with pricing.

Additional services

Is an essay something you should fit into your budget? This can be the key to discovering the perfect style and reducing stress on your wedding day, so it can be worth the price. Naslund says trials typically cost around $ 100. “I don’t need a trial, but some bridal stylists do. I firmly think you should [book one], but I realize that if your budget is small, this might be something you ignore, ”says Naslund.

She compares a wedding hairstyle essay to online shopping; you can see a style on Instagram that you think is perfect, but when you actually see yourself in it, it’s not love at first sight. A tryout will give you and your stylist the opportunity to experiment with different looks and make any necessary adjustments. “Essay is time spent adjusting the details and getting a feel for how the different styles look,” says Naslund. “Sometimes you get the perfect look in one try! But most of the time it’s more exploration.”

Average cost of wedding makeup

Similar to wedding hair, bridal makeup costs can vary wildly from place to place. Martell says to expect a wide variety of prices depending on where you live and the artist’s level of expertise. “There is a huge range of artists and options. Inexperienced artists, makeup counters, salons and large companies with crews will have the lowest prices, and experienced specialists like me will have the most. high, ”she explains.

What’s included

Once you’ve found an artist whose work matches your vision, you’ll want to discuss what’s included in their rate or package. Depending on what you’re looking for, you might develop a close and collaborative relationship over the months and weeks. before your wedding day. You will also be able to customize the perfect plan not only for your makeup but also for your skincare routine. “My price includes access to me, flexibility and a direct line of communication from the moment we enter into a contract,” says Martell. “My rates can include helping them with their skin care routine, giving them product recommendations… referring them to other professionals in their area if they don’t live nearby, or doing FaceTiming. with them to give consultations to help them get their best skin for the big day. ”

Your artist can separately bill for a trial session and travel, as well as items like face masks, eyelash application, etc. “I set the prices appropriately according to the needs of each person,” explains Martell. “The goal for me when I’m done is that [my clients] don’t think or smell their makeup, and they can just be around and carefree to really enjoy their day. ”

Additional services

Other makeup services that you can consider adding to your wedding budget include makeup for your engagement photos, shower, bachelorette party, or rehearsal dinner. If your mom is getting her makeup done, she may request a try-on to make sure she feels comfortable with her look as well.

If you are working on a tight budget, Martell recommends considering what is most important to you on D-Day. “If you value beauty services and surround yourself with people who will take care of everything and reduce your stress and costs. worries so you can be there and really feel like a million bucks, figure out how to prioritize your budget to get there rather than something that matters less to you, ”she says.

Additional cost considerations

Keep in mind that you will need to tip your stylist and makeup artist after their work is done, so be sure to factor 15-25% into your planning and final totals.

If you are comfortable doing your hair or makeup, or have a friend or family member who is comfortable with a curling iron or eye shadow brush, you might consider avoid a stylist or makeup artist altogether. However, Naslund is convinced that bridal hair is something you should pay a pro for. “You can DIY it, but most people just aren’t used to styling their hair,” she says. “Plus, you really don’t want to work in any capacity on your wedding day, especially in the morning. Your main concern should be: “Who is going to open the Champagne? “”

Martell agrees, saying, “You can surround yourself with the right people whose only job is to get to know you, what you like and how to make yourself feel like yourself, so by the time you get dressed. and as the photos begin, you already feel loved, pampered, relaxed and carefree. To me, that’s the reason, and you can’t put a price on it. ”