How much do you charge for wedding makeup?

Good question! I don’t offer services on wedding makeup. But if you are looking to develop your own rates for yourself, I would research what clients are paying within the market you live in or want to work in first. Next, I would say have a landing page or social media profile where clients can view your existing work. And finally, if you are just getting started, partner with salons to get some bridal work that you can publish.

I never wanted to do bridal makeup because I wanted to work in TV and film. But I did some brides very early in my career and mostly by word of mouth or referral. I know many MUA’s that love the fast cash aspect of doing makeup for weddings, but I only see that as trading time for money or a gig, and although there is nothing wrong with that, I saw myself in the makeup union with benefits and working on location as something more long term and stable.

The business of makeup and hair for bridal can be very good if you work with a team or partner with a business that caters to the industry, wedding photographers, hair salons, other beauty professionals that have built a following, but when it comes to rates be careful not to charge what other people do unless you have the skills to live up to those prices.

Offering demo trials is an option when you meet potential bridal clients but make sure they pay you for that, which you can always reduce from the total price if they decide to hire you. I know someone who hired a MUA at an event and the artist charged her a $500 fee to hold the date. Then the client changed her mind and couldn’t get her money back.

Don’t conduct business this way. Be fair and let the client know who you are, you’re talent and any testimonials before they decide to make a deposit.

In any business relationship how you conduct yourself from beginning to end will either build or break your reputation and that is more valuable than what you charge in when it comes to rates.