Imagine getting red-carpet ready without ever stepping out your front door. These days, it’s entirely possible thanks to at-home glam services that bring professional hair and makeup right to you. From intimate weddings to high-profile galas, professional glam services on demand have become increasingly popular for clients who value convenience and a personalized touch. Services like Glamsquad now allow you to easily book a glam stylist to come to your home or hotel, transforming your space into a private beauty lounge. But before you welcome a beauty professional into your home, it’s essential to do some homework. Choosing the right stylist means asking smart questions up front to avoid any mishaps on the big day. In this article, we’ve compiled essential questions to ask a makeup artist before you commit. So you can feel confident you’ve got the perfect glam squad in place.
Ask About Experience and Credentials
In an age of Instagram portfolios, glam stylists for events often showcase stunning before-and-afters online. Nothing beats a direct conversation about a stylist’s experience and qualifications. Start by asking how long they’ve been working as a professional and what their background is. Are they a licensed cosmetologist or certified makeup artist? An experienced mobile beauty stylist will be proud to share their training, any certifications, and years in the industry. If your event is a wedding or similarly formal occasion, the person must have expertise in that area.
Bridal makeup isn’t like everyday makeup. It requires an artist who knows how to create a look that lasts all day, photographs beautifully under various lighting, and stays comfortable for hours. An experienced bridal hair and makeup artist will understand those nuances and can usually cite past brides or events they’ve worked on that are similar to yours. Don’t hesitate to also inquire about any specialty skills relevant to your needs. Verifying that the stylist has a solid track record will give you peace of mind when booking. Experience is more than a number. It’s about knowing they can handle your event’s unique demands with confidence and skill.
Review Their Portfolio and Style Compatibility
A stylist’s portfolio is your window into their artistry and range. Most home makeup artist professionals will have an Instagram page or website gallery featuring their work. Take the time to browse through their photos of previous clients. Do you like what you see? Pay attention to whether they’ve created looks similar to the style you want for your event, whether that’s soft and natural or full-on glam. Their aesthetic must align with your vision. Remember that when you hire a personal makeup artist for a special occasion, you’re getting a bespoke beauty experience. Talk to the stylist about the look you’re aiming for. Share inspiration images, your outfit or theme, and see if they have ideas or past examples in that vein. A true pro will listen to your preferences and may even offer suggestions to refine or enhance your idea.
Also, consider the diversity of their experience. If your group includes a variety of ages, skin tones, or hair textures, confirm that the stylist is comfortable working with all of them. Not all hair and makeup artists are skilled in all the various hair and skin textures. You need a makeup artist and a hairstylist who will make everyone feel beautiful. Doing makeup on mature skin can be quite different from working on a teenager, and styling naturally curly hair isn’t the same as styling fine straight hair.
So, ask if they have worked with clients who have needs similar to yours. A versatile stylist should be able to show you examples or explain how they adapt techniques for different requirements. Lastly, measure their enthusiasm and communication when discussing style. You want someone who understands your vision and makes you feel heard. It’s a good sign that you’ll be happy with the results on the day of the event.
Ask About Products and Hygiene Practices
When inviting a stylist into your home, you want assurance that you’re getting salon-quality service with none of the sanitation worries. A beauty stylist should be transparent about the products and tools they use. Don’t shy away from asking which makeup brands they carry in their kit or what hair products they’ll apply. If you have any personal preferences or requirements, let the stylist know in advance and confirm that they can accommodate them. A true professional will use high-quality, long-wear products suitable for photography and will be knowledgeable about ingredients if you mention sensitivities. Additionally, confirm that your stylist practices strict hygiene. This is critical for a makeup artist's home service.
Ask how they clean and sanitize their brushes, combs, and other tools between clients. Do they use disposable applicators for things like mascara and lipstick? How often do they wash their makeup sponges or replace them? It’s perfectly fine to bring this up. Reputable artists appreciate clients who value cleanliness as much as they do. Remember, they’ll be working in close contact with you, so you have every right to ensure their standards are top-notch.
Discuss Trial Runs and Consultations
For big once-in-a-lifetime events like weddings, a trial session can be a game-changer. If you’re hiring someone for bridal glam at home, it’s wise to do a practice run to make sure you’re on the same page. Many mobile bridal hair and makeup packages include a trial in their pricing or offer it as an add-on service. Be sure to ask whether a trial or consultation is available, and if so, whether it incurs an additional cost.
Understand Pricing and Hidden Fees
Money matters can be an awkward topic, but it’s essential to have a clear discussion about costs before you book. The cost of event makeup services at home can vary widely depending on the package and the artist’s experience. Don’t just assume the rate you saw online or were quoted over the phone is all-inclusive. Request a detailed breakdown of what you’ll be charged and what that price includes. Will the stylist bring an assistant? Do you need both a makeup artist and a glam hair stylist for your needs, and if so, is the price for one person or two? It’s best to eliminate any grey areas in advance. To make sure you’ve covered all bases, discuss each of the following with your stylist and get answers upfront:
- Travel or Location Fees: Is there an extra charge for the stylist to travel to your home or venue? Some charge a mileage fee or a flat travel fee, especially if you’re outside their usual area. Also, ask about parking costs or tolls if applicable.
- Early or Late Hours: If you need services very early in the morning or late at night, find out if there’s a surcharge for appointments outside normal hours. Many artists have an “early morning fee” for start times before a certain hour, which is fair given the inconvenience, but you’ll want to know about it in advance.
- Trial Session: Confirm whether the trial makeup/hair session is included in the price or billed separately. If separate, ask how much it costs and when that payment is due.
- Additional People or Services: If you’re booking for multiple people, ask how much each additional person will be. Clarify what services each person will get. For instance, full hair and makeup, or makeup only, etc. Some artists might offer a group rate or a party glam services package for a certain number of people. If a second stylist is needed to accommodate a large group promptly, discuss how that affects pricing.
- Deposit and Cancellation: Almost all professionals will require a deposit to secure your date. Ask about the deposit amount, the payment schedule, and the due date for the final balance. Just as important, understand the cancellation policy. Will your deposit be refundable if you cancel months in advance? What if an emergency forces a cancellation closer to the event – do you lose your deposit or incur any additional fees? Get these terms in writing to avoid confusion.
- Gratuity and Taxes: Ask whether sales tax is included in the quoted price and whether tipping is expected or automatically added. Many freelancers appreciate a tip but don’t include it in their rate; however, some companies add a standard gratuity to the bill. It’s good to know which scenario to expect so you can budget accordingly.
By clarifying all these details ahead of time, you’ll protect yourself from unwelcome surprises when the bill arrives. A transparent stylist will gladly walk you through the cost breakdown.
Plan the Timing and Logistics
Gorgeous hair and makeup are only useful if they can be done on time for your event. Discussing the timeline and logistics is just as important as discussing styles. When arranging hair and makeup for a wedding, it’s smart to map out a schedule in advance. You’ll want to know approximately how long the stylist needs for each service and each person. For example, how many minutes or hours will your makeup take? If you also have others getting their glam done, how will the stylist order the services and manage the time? To achieve that, ask the stylist for their input on the schedule. Experienced artists can often create a beauty timeline for you, outlining who will have their makeup or hair done first, second, and so on, and how long each will take. This is incredibly helpful for ensuring you’re not running behind when it’s time to leave.
Verify Policies, Contracts, and Backup Plans
Don’t overlook the business side of things. A professional stylist should have some form of agreement or contract for you to review and sign. This protects both of you by clearly outlining the services to be provided, the timing, payment terms, and policies. If they don’t mention a contract, you can bring it up by asking. Most will, and if so, take the time to read it carefully. Ensure all the details you’ve discussed are included. This document also contains important fine print, including details about what happens if you need to cancel or if they need to cancel. Speaking of that, life is unpredictable, and emergencies can happen on either side. Ask your stylist what their contingency plan is if they can’t make it on the day due to illness or an emergency. Life happens. Make sure they have a reliable backup plan. For example, do they have an assistant who could step in, or a network of fellow stylists they could call to substitute? Will you be refunded any deposits in such a scenario? It’s rare to need this, but knowing there’s a Plan B will help you feel more secure.
Likewise, ask about what happens if you need to make a change, say your event start time shifts, or you need to add another person for services at the last minute. Is the stylist flexible, and how would adjustments affect pricing? Understanding these policies in advance means no scrambling or awkwardness later. Another sign of professionalism is insurance and licensing. You might ask, especially for wedding bookings at venues, if the stylist carries liability insurance or any required licenses. Some venues actually require all vendors to be insured, so it’s good to know this upfront in case documentation needs to be provided. Even if it’s not required, hiring an insured and properly licensed stylist is wise. It demonstrates they take their business seriously and adds an extra layer of protection for you and your guests.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of having a skilled stylist help you look and feel your best for an important occasion. By asking these key questions before booking, you’re investing in a stress-free and successful beauty experience. The goal is to find someone who understands your vision, has the expertise to execute it, and makes you comfortable throughout the process. Whether it’s your wedding day or another special event, doing a bit of due diligence will ensure you’re in good hands.
Sources
- 12 Questions to Ask Makeup Artists for Wedding Day Glam – The Knot theknot.com
- 20 Questions for Your Wedding Makeup Artist – Hitched (UK) hitched.co.uk
