No refund on bridal make up after trial

[MakeupWoes]

I booked a highly recommended artist for my bridal makeup, and had to secure with a non refundable deposit before I was allowed a trial.

I've since had a trial, and the makeup was shocking. My face was caked on (I get for pictures), but in the heat, it was literally running down my face. It transferred everytime something brushed my face.

I'm left with proceeding with someone who's make up I really dislike because I can't afford to lose the deposit, or I have to borrow the money to change to someone else. WWYD?

Sorry cross-posted. I thought the deposit would have come off what you paid for the trial. That was how mine worked but I suppose meant the actual wedding day was done on trust with no deposit - I was happy with my trial though.

Sorry you're having this issue!

I needed make up for mine, otherwise I'd have looked ill (I was)

I didn’t, I wore my completely normal make up!

You have two options...

Give her honest feedback and say you weren't happy and ask for another trial based on your feedback.

Or

Find someone else. It's a lot of money, but you'll be unhappy on the day, and you'll think of it every time you see photos. Worth finding the money to sort out.

You do need to wear a lot of make up

Why? Does the groom's face vanish if he doesn't wear 'a lot of make up'?

Ok my mistake. Well that does sound a bit unfair, but OP says it was a non refundable deposit so I think it is hard luck.

I hated my trial make up and asked for a redo, which I loved!

Exactly, if it was needed then it would be needed for the males in the bridal party as well.

It's a tricky one. But as you've paid separately for the trial, the deposit is just to secure her services for the day. So in those circumstances I don't think it's great for her not to refund at least part of the deposit. But if she won't, she won't, it's about how to move forwards. For my wedding, the MUA was insistent that you didn't need to put it on with a trowel, but you did need a different product from everyday wear, more like theatre makeup.

I wouldn't have been comfortable doing my own makeup for the day (hardly ever wear makeup at all, would have had to spend as much as it cost getting a makeup artist because I don't even own brushes or a lip gloss, don't know any techniques), but if you're more experienced then you could consider that. A lot of makeup counters in shops will give you a trial and show you how to do it, then you do it yourself on the day.

Not necessarily the case that you need to wear a lot. I don't wear make up day to day and my wedding makeup was so comfortable but flawless. There are better make up artists out there OP! Whereabouts are you based?

If you don't like it, don't proceed. You will hate it

Just do you own.

I hate heavy make up, my wedding MUA started extremely light then built up to what I was comfortable with. She ended up using Dior airflash spray foundation which didn't feel heavy on skin at all.

How did you pay the deposit? Credit card? Debit card? PayPal? Did she issue you with any paperwork?

What was the makeup like in the photos you took? I hated the professional make up I had when I was a bridesmaid once and decided I’d do my own. I paid for a session at mac and they were amazing. I felt much happier than I would have done on the day.

I think you have to balance whether she’ll take your feedback and adapt or whether you’d feel uncomfortable all day with her style of makeup.

I would get a spray tan and say no foundation at all in this heat.

I disagree entirely that you need a lot of make up for wedding photographs. One of the most beautiful brides whose wedding I went to had incredibly natural and light make up and she looked gorgeous in the photos and in person.

Another friend had her make up absolutely caked on by a professional MUA (despite having naturally amazing skin) and it looked awful in person and on the photos. Don't forget you want to look good for the whole day while mingling with your guests, not have a face that's just for the photos.

Bottom line is it was a non refundable deposit and the purpose of a trial is to see what you do and don't like surely?

Do your own make up..? If money is so tight you’d need to borrow £80 I can’t believe you’d even have contemplated having a make up artist at all.

I was just thinking exactly the same. You obviously don't have £80 to spare, so don't spend it.

Did you take photos of make up running? I'd send them to her asking for another trial.

This is what my Mua said to me on the day (no trial as she was a last minute replacement). I ended up washing it all off and doing it myself. IMO it’s much more important that you feel comfortable on the day and your groom actually recognises you than that you have perfect make up in the photos, especially as you photographer can always retouch. The day counts more than the pictures.

In your shoes I’d just do it myself.

If she doesnt have £80 to spare how is she going to do her own makeup?

I'd rather lose my deposit than look like a clown.

Could you ask for a second trail with lighter make up? Most self employed people value happy customers and as long as your not a bridezilla about it I’m sure she won’t take offence.

Could you go to a department store and book a Bobbi Brown (or similar) makeover?