5 Reasons Why Hiring a Cheap Makeup Artist is a HUGE Mistake

Image: Lydia Royce Photography

If you are about to hire a makeup artist for your own wedding, or know someone who is getting married soon....this post is for you, and it's important! Bear with me...I know it's a little long, but I am going to tell you THE REAL DEAL.....the BS FREE, full truth reason why onsite bridal makeup and hair costs what it does, and why getting a cheaper deal is actually a huge mistake.  But first, I'm going to share with you a real story about a real bride to be....I left out her name for her privacy, but this conversation is a pretty common one. The original exchange prompted a great discussion within the DFW makeup community, and my peers actually requested that I blog about it! I agreed, because this is what brides really need to know to make an informed decision when planning their beauty budget for their wedding. 

It all started with a bride to be who was shopping for a makeup artist.  After getting a couple of quotes, she posted this message on her Facebook page:

"Can anyone help me find a good hair and makeup artist?  I just got a quote for $2300 for 11 people!! I didn't plan on spending over 2K for natural makeup and hair that isn't even pinned up."

My friend tagged me in the post, referring me to this bride and asking if I could help her.  I sent this Facebook message to her:

"Hi ________! Thanks for accepting my friend request! I got a notification that _________ referred me to you for bridal beauty per your inquiry? Sounds like you have sticker shock, which I completely understand....there isn't much information out there on what are industry averages for bridal hair and makeup in Dallas/Fort Worth. I have actually been asked to give some speeches (one is next week) to wedding vendors in other categories to help educate their clients! $2300 for 22 services is very reasonable for our area. The very bottom end for pros....and these are girls who are new and just starting out...would be $75 per service, at the higher end is $200 per service. Most of the well known pros who are my peers (as well as myself) charge roughly $150 per service for bride, $100 per service for attendants, not including extras like travel (usually added if its' over 25 miles), trial runs, or assistants due to such a large group. 

 The only way you'll find less expensive services is to use people who don't run a bridal beauty business....people who work at makeup counters, blow dry bars, etc. These people generally don't have the same level of experience, and can't provide the flawless results you want, delivered in a seamless and stress free way. Pro makeup artists like myself have majorly invested in our businesses....I have over $25K worth of product invested in my kit/tools/etc., and that's not even including items like makeup wipes, lashes, etc. that I go through in bulk each year. I spent $1400 on lashes last year alone...it adds up, for sure! Add in insurance, marketing, education and other business expenses, as well as the actual time involved in consulting, creating contracts, handling payments, and the event itself....any artist who charges less than the minimums I mentioned cannot make a living, that's why it's a dead giveaway that they aren't a pro if they charge less. Hope that all makes sense! I am happy to send you pricing if you like...I don't know your date or if I'm open, but mainly I just wanted to take the time to give you the info you need to make a good decision. it's not cheap....great bridal beauty is an investment, but a worthwhile one. You and your girls will enjoy a fun and stress free day getting ready with people who know exactly what to do to make everyone happy and stay on schedule, plus you'll all look and feel fabulous. You'll love your photos and video, and you won't be focused on anything other that enjoying every moment of the day...because you'll look amazing! If you go the cheaper route, you are risking major regret....awful makeup and hair, an artist being late or not showing up, or not getting everyone done and running late because they don't specialize in weddings and the necessary timelines....all real things that can and do happen.

 Also, your post mentioned natural makeup and hair that's down (not pinned up), neither makes a difference in regard to pricing. Fabulous natural makeup takes the same amount of time (sometimes more) than more dramatic looks, and same with down-do's....updo's can often be faster than curling and doing down-do's. Pro's don't charge different prices according to the look you desire, it's standard across the board, because what you're paying for is a culmination of experience, time and product, and there isn't much difference between softer natural looks and dramatic ones. Personally, I have been a pro makeup artist for 25 years, specializing in weddings for 20....I've done over a thousand of them, currently over 100 each year. I am passionate about bridal beauty....I love what I do! I use licensed and very skilled hair contractors for my brides who ask me to provide hair services, and I focus on my area of expertise, which is bridal makeup! You can check out my work at LipServiceMakeup.com, Facebook, Instagram.....it's all over, lots of images for you to see, plus lots of articles I've written on wedding and beauty tips. Regardless of anything, I'd love to have you as a follower on social media if you enjoy what you see. If you want more info on my specifics for your wedding, then please email me at lipservicemakeup@gmail.com. If not, no worries at all....like I said I just want you to have the correct info so you can have amazing wedding day makeup, whomever you should choose to hire. I wish you all the best _______!! JT"

Sorry, that's really long, but I need to say more than "that's just what it costs", right?  I don't know about you, but I'm willing to pay for something better, especially when I really understand WHY it's better. (Yes, I drove my parents nuts with "Why" questions when I was a kid!  No different as an adult....give me the REASON.) I wasn't really concerned about her booking me personally...honestly! I just wanted her to feel confident that the pricing she'd been given was indeed legit, and that she'd be going down the wrong road to hire someone who charged a lot less. If you're getting married....next week, next year or 5 years from now....this is info you need to know, and they don't really talk about it in bridal magazines or blogs. Hear me please when I tell you...YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Bridal beauty is not the time to bargain shop! As you read these points below, do keep in mind, this happens to be about choosing bridal beauty, but everything listed would apply to any wedding vendor you're considering.  Cheap prices...meaning anything well below the industry standards...are NOT a good thing. Why?

   Let's recap the top 5 reasons:

Image: Credit.com

1. Cheap often = inexperienced. You'll find cheap rates at blow-dry bars or volume beauty services.  I love an inexpensive blowout on occasion too, but I guarantee you the top bridal beauty experts in your city aren't working at a blow dry bar or an uber cheap mobile beauty service! Those options are where new people go to get their career started. Nothing wrong with that, but let's face it...you don't want a brand-new artist using your face and your wedding as an experimental training ground.  Choose someone established, experienced and trusted by your venue/planner/photographer...they're worth it!
2. Cheap and Shady are only good when describing sunglasses! An artist who undercharges could also be undercutting local competition to steal business.  This means they know better, but are a jerk with shady ethics...they're willing to treat others poorly and don't care about their reputation.  Do you want to trust a jerk with making sure you look your best on wedding day?  (Short answer....um, NO.) 
3. They're Cheap because they're desperate.  This ties closely to #2....artists charging very low prices might be cheap because they are desperate for business and will accept ANYTHING, even if it's well below typical rates.  Think about it...if they were talented and reputable, they would have full schedules and wouldn't be desperate. 
4. Cheap means they are most likely a hobbyist. You can't make a living as bridal makeup artist charging really low rates....period. I'll say it again YOU CAN'T MAKE A LIVING CHARGING CHEAP RATES.  Done correctly, this is an expensive business....quality cosmetics and skin care, tools and brushes, bulk supplies, insurance, education, marketing, etc. Any artist who takes their bridal beauty career seriously regards it as they should...a small business, with the artist as the owner.  Legitimate artists who have crunched the numbers and charge appropriately do so because they actually do bridal makeup for a living! They are invested in their career...and invested in their reputation within their local wedding community.  Cheap prices are a dead giveaway that they are not an established, pro makeup artist.  Don't hire someone who does bridal makeup as a once in a while hobby!  Regardless of how they might try to frame it up to make some cash, someone who plays with their Caboodle and practices contour along with Youtube videos in their bedroom and someone's cousin who's "pretty good at makeup" is NOT a makeup artist, and they definitely are not capable of handling the most important makeup you'll ever have done. There is no chance for a do-over!
5. An artist who charges below market rates doesn't value their work.  If they don't value their time and expertise, why should you? Think about it. Super low rates convey pretty clearly that they don't think their makeup skills are up to par...why would that be ok with you as a customer, especially on your wedding day?!  Rates well under market rates are a sign that the artist doesn't regard themselves as a skilled artist who's worth it. Conversely, a talented and experienced artist knows that they can deliver, and has confidence that they're worth their rates! That's the person you want in charge of making you look fabulous on your big day.

We all love a good deal...myself included!  There's nothing like the excitement of finding a pair of $250 shoes on sale for $100, or getting a good deal on your new cell phone......I get it completely. But in the land of bridal hair and makeup....going cheap is a HUGE risk that you'll regret.  Just ask anyone who DID go cheap....you'll hear stories of artists not showing up, makeup so bad it had to be washed off and the bride had to reapply herself, the artists taking so long that the bride was late to her own wedding...and on, and on and on. (I heard a particularly shocking story recently...that might turn into a separate post!) I've lost track of how many last minute brides I've squeezed in because a fly by night makeup artist bailed at the last minute or never showed up. Don't go that route...it's not worth the stress! On-site Bridal Beauty Pros know exactly how to create perfect, long-lasting looks....and get everyone done on time.  Don't accept anything less for an occasion as important as your wedding.  Make your choice based on style, personality, reputation, portfolio, referrals, good reviews.....not price.  If you choose someone based on price alone, you're wasting the money you do spend!

Now, you might be thinking....what if I don't live in Dallas/Fort Worth, how do I know what my market rates are so I can find a legit artist in MY area? Pricing does vary...it's less is smaller cities, and quite a bit more in places like New York and LA. Check back with me here, I have a future post in the works with tips on how to shop for a makeup artist and how to check someone out before you even call or email them. (Plus there are a few more helpful tips here.) Reviews and websites are great, but they don't tell the full story....I've seen many a shady vendor with a fabulous website and great online reviews.  One of the best things you can do? Talk to trusted wedding planners and photographers in your city.....no one understands the value of flawless bridal beauty more than these vendors, and they can point you to reputable artists who specialize in bridal beauty and charge appropriate rates for your area. They work with artists each week and know who can not only whip out beautiful makeup and hair, but who creates a great environment, keeps things on schedule....and who doesn't. Trust me, there are bound to be dozens and dozens of trusted, experienced and talented professionals where you live that charge what they do...because they're worth it.

Image: Jessica D'Onofrio Photography

Back to the bride whose inquiry started this whole thing? I felt better just knowing she had the FULL SCOOP, and I think she did wind up hiring one of the girls she had already received pricing from, so hopefully my message helped her feel more confident in her decision. Mission accomplished!  SO....let's wrap this all up with a little bow....

Ladies, you have one chance...ONE....to look and feel like a million bucks on your wedding day.  You want to not only look amazing in person, but also in the photos and video that you'll cherish for years to come.  I said it in my message to that bride and I'll say it again....

"Bridal Beauty is an investment, but it's worth it!"

Still have questions?  Did you or someone you know go the cheap route with your bridal beauty and regret it?  Share in the comments!

(All Makeup on this page, and on this website by Jennifer Trotter of Lip Service Makeup)

Copyright Lip Service Makeup 2015

A Smoky Eye Makes Your Eyes Look Smaller - Fact or Beauty Myth?

As a pro makeup artist, beauty expert and writer....I get frustrated sometimes.  Why, do you ask, when I have the BEST job in the whole world?  I'll tell ya....
I get frustrated by all of the MISINFORMATION out there in the world of beauty!  I constantly read tips that are just flat out wrong. (It happens in the fashion world too...example, whoever decided that ANYONE looks good in flatforms or culottes!  But I digress....)

Call them Old Wives tales or Beauty Myths, but trust me, ladies, you can't believe everything you read...it's not all accurate, and often those articles don't give you enough information to understand how the tip might...or might not...apply to you.  Today's blog post is about one of those Beauty Myths that totally drives me nuts.  How many times have you read:

"Avoid a smoky eye or black eyeliner!  It'll close your eye in and make it look smaller..."

I know I've read it dozens and dozens of times.....everywhere from beauty blogs to national beauty magazines, and countless women have told me that their friend/cousin/mom always told them that girls with smaller eyes just can't do a smoky eye.  Guess what?  It ain't true!!  It just isn't....and I can prove it.  Wanna see?  Check out these examples of just a few of my real clients....every last one of them wanted a smoky eye but was afraid to try it because they "had heard somewhere" it would make their eyes look smaller.  Take a look......

That last one...it's crazy, right?  Her eyes look twice their size!  It's all in the technique, how it's applied and blended....no harsh edges, and you have to be careful not to overdo. When done correctly, color can be used to create the illusion that your entire eye area is bigger than it really is.  Another key element?  Lashes!  Strip lashes, individual lashes or a couple of coats of glossy mascara will do wonders to visually open up your eye area.

So....have you been avoiding black liner or a smoky eye because you thought you couldn't pull it off? Give it a try, you might be surprised on how flattering a soft, smoky (read: not goth!) smoky eye can be.  If you really want to learn how to recreate this look on yourself, call (972-345-0655) or email (lipservicemakeup@gmail.com) me today to book a private or group lesson and I'll teach you!

Check back here too, I'll be posting more Beauty Myths in the future...the real scoop, no BS.  Have a beauty myth you've always heard and want to find out if it's true or not?  Post in the comments!

(All makeup on this post, and this website by Jennifer Trotter of Lip Service Makeup)

Get the Inside Scoop - Lip Service Makeup Featured on SHEfinds

Fun news to share!
Lip Service was featured on "SHEfinds", one of the most popular beauty, fashion and lifestyle blogs in the US!  I've read it many times to check out cool beauty launches, to see what's hot, who's wearing what...etc.

When they contacted me to get some hot weather wedding makeup tips, I had plenty to share...I am a makeup artist in TEXAS after all!  Summer weddings here are tricky....it can be in the 90s and 100s anytime from May-September, and brides all want to know how to keep their cool and ensure their makeup lasts.  Check out my tips here, along with tips from other wedding professionals (including local wedding/event guru, Donnie Brown with a warning on where to set up that gorgeous wedding cake...hint...NOT OUTDOORS!)

Can I just tell you guys...it's a really fun thing to see your work in a magazine or blog....on a platform for others to share and enjoy.   Years ago, I had no idea how to make that happen.  Honestly, I probably didn't even dare to imagine that I'd become a beauty expert for anyone other than the actual client in my chair at that moment!

Image courtesy of Tracy Autem Photography

Flash forward years and years later....after thousands of faces...brides, models, executives and even an NFL player and a couple of adorable Girl Scouts.....plus years of experience, I really do have some helpful tips to share. And...I'm definitely happy to share 'em.  Besides, I'm just like you!  I love getting new "tips" too....who doesn't love to feel like they've got the inside scoop?

 Although there's a lot out there that I've heard before, I still learn unique tips or hear about cool products all the time, whether it's from clients, other artists, magazines and of course, blog resources like SHEfinds.  If you've never checked out SHEfinds, give it a look!  Tons of great info and resources for anything beauty and fashion....all in one spot.

What beauty and fashion blogs are your favorites?  How about the coolest new beauty tip you've heard recently? Share in the comments!

Starbucks, Humble Beginnings and Sweaters in Hell

WELCOME!  Holy cow, I've actually got a website and blog now....guess you know that since you're reading this post.  Considering I wasn't sure if I'd ever find the time to set one up and I also just started drinking coffee (which I NEVER thought I'd ever, ever do), I think we oughta check and see if hell has frozen over!  Needless to say, this is a big step. Ok, well, I've got the official website, but perhaps you're wondering...how did I arrive here? 

Well....Here's the scoop...or, at least the makeup part of it.  I got started doing makeup back in the 90s because I was doing a little acting/modeling in local commercials, I was hosting a cable tv show, a little bit of print work.  I wasn't really pursuing the entertainment industry with a burning desire, but some fun opportunities fell in my lap, I liked it and had a good time in front of the camera!  I can only memorize a few lines at a time, but I'm comfortable speaking in public and far from shy, which really helped.  When I'd show up on set, I NEVER liked how anyone else did my makeup, so I always did my own.  One of the production companies I worked for liked my makeup and liked working with me, so they asked me to put together a kit and they hired me for my first job! They flew me to Arizona, we filmed a spot for a major hotel chain and it was AWESOME.  I think I drove the director a little crazy...."does it look ok...are you sure...really?", etc., but I worked my butt off and they liked my enthusiasm.  FIRST PAID MAKEUP JOB. What?!?!

Prepping actors for Wingstop Commercial - 2002

Wow!  I was so excited....I had always been interested in makeup, since I was little!  I really got into it in high school, then modeling in college but I never considered a career doing makeup until I was actually, well...kind of in it.  So, I started doing friends weddings, assisted on commercial work and did whatever I could to gain experience.  Gradually, I started doing photo shoots, headshots, lessons, building and adding to my portfolio....learning along the way by practicing, reading, and taking masters classes.  Then came the weddings...tons of weddings!  Gotta love those loyal brides.  In the early years, I did zero marketing, no website and social media didn't exist, so it was all just straight referrals from brides or companies I'd worked with before.  I'd set up a meeting with a new vendor or venue and show them my hard copy portfolio...old school style!  I'd do makeup for a bride and then have her cousin call me 5 years later to do her wedding...love that! It's a slow way to build, but it worked....I built long-lasting, amazing relationships and friendships with clients and vendors who trust me.

So...22 years later and here I am!  My kit is 1000 times better than that first one,  I finally launched a website (hallelujah chorus playing.....can you hear it?!?), I tweet and instagram and go to networking events weekly.  I do market research and ran my very first ad a year ago!  I belong to several Pro programs, and spend thousands updating my kit and supplies each year, and my name is on several preferred vendor lists at top venues.  I'm referred by wedding professionals who are truly the top in their field, and I'm honored to be associated with them.  I just did hair and makeup for a national campaign for a huge non-profit organization and even worked on a feature film! I'm a beauty expert and published writer too...I've had several examples of my work and articles on wedding and beauty tips published in national magazines and blogs like SheKnows, Makeup.com, Brides of North Texas, BRIDES, Bustle, and more. I can't stress enough that my business today is very, very different now then the "hobby" it was initially, that's for sure.

Bridal work - 2014

Guess what's NOT different?  I'm just as excited now as I was way back then!  The excitement when I pack up my supplies for a wedding, or review inspiration boards and plan looks for photo shoots, or show up on set for a video production....heck, even going to a networking event. When a photographer I admire or a hot new venue starts sending brides my way.  All of it....I'm still pumped, people!  You'd think all of these years of doing makeup would make me dampen my enthusiasm, but it truly hasn't....my business has grown and evolved in ways I never thought it could and it's more fun every day.  It's neat to be in magazines and work with fancy schmancy celebrities and industry professionals, but for me, it's all really built around that moment when a woman looks in the mirror after I've done her makeup and finally realizes how beautiful she was all along...I  just showed her how to let everyone else see it.  Whether she's 14 and just learning the ropes, or 55 and finally realizing she deserves to spend a little time on her beauty routine, or a bride who's about to walk down the aisle and marry the man of her dreams...every woman wants to feel pretty, and I can help. That is the really cool thing about being a makeup artist...I love it all down to my core, and I hope it shows. 

Laughing with bride (Katie) - 2013

I get really excited about things, like a puppy in human form!  I don't do "jaded" or "been there, done that"....still too many things I haven't experienced in this lifetime.  I love Diet Coke, Fort Worth, all kinds of music and I have the most ridiculous collection of necklaces you've ever seen.  I'm super loyal, I love random, funny things and really like for everyone to get along (yes, middle child syndrome) whenever possible.  90% of the time, you'll spot me wearing red lipstick...which is how my logo and company name came about. (I'll post that story another time....)
I sometimes have a hard time remembering names, but I might remember that you told me one time that your favorite flavor was coconut and you're from Idaho....very annoying how selective my memory can be!  Just introduce yourself to me again....I'll get it eventually.

So, now you know a little bit about me and about Lip Service Makeup.  Thanks for reading this post,  thanks for following me and I hope you'll come back and visit me here, on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.... I'll have lots of great before and afters to share, news, product reviews and other fun goodies about the wedding industry, beauty in and life in general.  Hmm....after typing all of this, I think I need to run to Starbucks......and see if anyone in hell needs a sweater whilel I'm at it.  XO JT