I want to start by saying that while I wasn’t thrilled with the final results, this was not a horrible experience overall... I was just ultimately disappointed.
During my trial, I... did not like my makeup, but I made sure to follow up afterward with detailed feedback and inspiration photos explaining exactly what I wanted changed. On my wedding day, my makeup simply did not resemble my inspiration photos. I looked nice, but it was not the look I had specifically requested. I’m not sure if the style I wanted was outside of their comfort zone, but before booking I specifically asked whether they were experienced with partially hooded eyes and more glam/untraditional makeup styles because I wanted to make sure we were a good fit.
I also booked services for my bridesmaids, mother, and mother-in-law, and unfortunately we experienced similar issues across the board. The hairstyles were not quite what was requested, and the makeup leaned very “natural” and barely-there, even though everyone provided reference photos. It felt like we all received toned-down versions of the looks we asked for.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with specializing in natural or clean-girl makeup styles, many people love that aesthetic. However, I do think it’s important to be transparent about your strengths and limitations instead of advertising a broader range of styles that may not be your specialty.
I also think the booking/trial process was a major issue. I understand completely that trials cost money and should be paid for, but requiring clients to sign a contract before even having a trial makes it difficult to know whether the artist is truly the right fit. If I had been able to schedule a trial before committing, I likely would have chosen a different team that better matched the style I was looking for.
That said, I do want to acknowledge the positives: everyone was kind, respectful, attentive, and professional throughout the process, and my hair lasted beautifully for several days afterward.