CATHY FACTO BEAUTY & Co.

you will probably be ghosted. My wedding was October 29th of this year. I was very excited, for obvious reasons, but also for the fact that my bridal party, mother, mother-in-law, and myself were all going to be able to be pampered before the wedding and look extra special for this extra special occasion. It was a splurge, but one that I believed to be well worth it, because I wanted us to all look and feel beautiful. Unfortunately, we would have been better off doing our hair and makeup ourselves. Long story short, my hair and makeup ran over the allotted time, and everything was downhill from there. I had sent inspiration pics for the bridesmaids’ hair. Nothing too complex-between all of my girls, we could have accomplished them on our own, but I felt like having a professional to assist would ensure that the styles held all night, looked professional, and would keep us on schedule. None of the above were true. My mom was scheduled to have her makeup done. She wore a wig because she has cancer, but I wanted her makeup to be perfect so that she could feel glamorous and beautiful. My mom emerged from the styling chair in tears, asking my bridesmaids to help her fix it. When my mother-in-law saw how unhappy she was, PLUS the fact that we were at least an hour behind schedule, she ran home to do her own makeup. Two of my bridesmaids did not have enough time to get their hair done, and the ones who had their hair done by Cathy were very unsatisfied. My photographer was pinning people’s hair, blending out blush and fixing lipstick because we were running so behind for photos before the ceremony. In the process of all of us scrambling around to finish prep before the ceremony started, Cathy stood waiting, which I was confused about until my mom and one of my bridesmaids said Cathy TOLD THEM she was waiting for her tip, and said, scoffing, “but she probably won’t even give us a tip…” Very unprofessional to expect and ask for a tip; especially without having a debrief after the wedding and ESPECIALLY while I am scrambling to make it down the aisle on time. I worked in the service industry for years and pride myself on being a good tipper. I often tip more than what is expected or fair. I tipped my other vendors generously. Cathy and I had an in-depth call after I sent her very detailed feedback a few weeks after the wedding. She was apologetic about my mom but really pushed back on every point…which in my opinion is bad business. But regardless, she asked me what she could do to help right the situation. I asked for reimbursement for the services not provided – my mother-in-law’s makeup and two bridesmaids' hair. She pushed back, and I responded with, “look, it’s your business. I will let you sit with it and decide what you think is far.” She said she would get back to me in a few days and that it would take some time to process a repayment through square. It has been two weeks since that conversation. I have followed up four times and heard nothing back. It was odd to have such an unprofessional and abrupt halt to the conversation. I thought we were on the same page. I won’t comment on my own hair and makeup that Cathy did, but I would be happy to share an image for you to decide for yourself. My advice to Atlanta brides – keep looking. This isn’t the one.