[ Back to Questions ]

How much do you charge for Bridal Makeup and HairStyling?

Please send us the information on what exactly you need using the form on this page and we will get back to you ASAP with a quote.

[ Back to Questions ]

I'm price shopping and looking for the best price, what can you offer me?

Shopping for lowest price is just not the best way to pick artists. You are not buying a toaster or microwave. all makeup artists are not created equal. They way you will look in your wedding photos is what will look back at you for the rest of your life. Not the time to get the cheapest artist you can find.

[ Back to Questions ]

How much does it cost for additional persons or my complete bridal party?

[ Back to Questions ]

[ Back to Questions ]

What do you mean by "normal" bridal party makeup and hair styling?

Short to arm pit length hair, with hot roller set for volume if desired and styling, and curling iron work.

Up-do styles, clip-in extensions, and working with existing hair extension, very long, thick hair and styles that require an unusual amount of curling iron or straightening work, all take longer and are slightly extra. Generally Christiné prefers to work on "day old hair" -- hair takes styling best a day or two after a shampoo. (Previously flat ironed or straightened hair that may not take a good curl)

Normal bridal party makeup does not include lashes or brow shaping, but it can be added if desired.

There may be a small extra charge for " add-ons". Because of the extra time required these services should be ordered in advance to allow for accurate wedding day scheduling.

[ Back to Questions ]

I (We) only want makeup and will do our own hair, what is the price for that?

[ Back to Questions ]

I want to have you do ALL my bridesmaids, AND the mothers too, can you do this?

[ Back to Questions ]

I would like to do a "trial" to make sure that I like what you do. Can we do this.

[ Back to Questions ]

Before my appointment, should I do any special preparation to my face and hair?

Please make sure you and those in your wedding party getting makeup, come with "clean, recently moisturized skin". Left over makeup from the night before is a no-no. If we have to remove old makeup it takes additional time and can stress the skin. We do not recommend facials with in 5 days of your service.

Hair on the other hand usually styles better if it is "day old" with a bit of left-over hair spray or styling products still in it. Fresh washed is more difficult to style. Please make sure that everyone comes with dry hair. Blow drying wet hair can delay the start of work by as much as 20 minutes, is an additional cost and should be ordered as a "add-on" service. For best results, hair that is to be curled should not have been "straightened" since its last washing.

We will send you an email with "Preparation Information" with your booking confirmation.

[ Back to Questions ]

Should I get a facial prior to having my makeup done?

This is NOT recommended. Christiné does not recommend a facial at anytime within the 7 days prior to your wedding -- and even then preferably with an esthetician who has given you a facial previously with predictable results. Facials are stressful on the skin, and some skin types can react negatively to different facial products and techniques. Getting a facial short before your biggest day can be risky, so it is best to allow your skin to be "well rested" and free from any recent "traumas". If your skin needs special attention, try to get the work done a minimum of 7 days prior.

[ Back to Questions ]

Do you do airbrush makeup?

Christiné does not do airbrush makeup.

"...None of the photos on my website are "airbrush makeup". I became very interested in it when it became a "buzz word". I bought a system and took some classes. Airbrush makeup is just another technique to apply makeup. It is a "tool". I believe it sounds great because of the association in people's minds with "airbrushed photos" -- they are not the same. Airbrush makeup will not smooth or cover bad skin any better than traditional methods, and has a lot of other things to consider as well. I will put my work up against anyone's airbrush work... I use the finest makeup products available, and with a combination of brushes, sponges and fingers can give better coverage, as smooth of coverage and longer lasting coverage..."

Airbrushing makeup still requires all the same steps as more traditional methods of application. Cover up and spot concealer and powder is normally still brushed on in the traditional way. The airbrush cannot "push" or work the products into the skin or into each other. Older faces with sagging skin and deep wrinkles need to have a fine foundation worked into the creases - which the airbrush cannot do. I find the compressors noisy and many people really hate how it feels, especially when work is done around the eyes. 

This is not to say that there are not artists who love the airbrush, and are very good with it.  Airbrushing is certainly best for special effects makeup, doing large areas on the body as in tattoo coverup and tanning and where stenciling is required or desired. It is also a quick way to apply foundations quickly to a large number of people when custom blending of foundation colors is not required.

One thing to remember, the use of a airbrush does not mean that the person using it is an "artist" or that the final result will look better.  If you look at my commercial client list http://www.fotolook.com/clients.html you will see that those who hire makeup artists for commercial work... hire the "artist" and not the "tool"...."

[ Back to Questions ]

Can you cover tattoos and scars ?

The color of scars and tattoos can be changed to closely match the adjacent skin in most cases. However changes of lighting types, direction and light color temperatures, especially the light in flash photography may show variations in color and density on "spot or small areas of makeup" because of the different way skin and makeup reflect light and react to those variables. This is especially true for tattoos and scars where the area of the tattooed or scarred skin is raised slightly higher than the normal skin making it 3 dimensional. We cannot eliminate shadows that will come and go depending on the direction of the light... Another consideration is the location of the tattoo. If the tattoo have a lot of contact and or rubbing with fabric from your dress, veil, straps, sleeves, or your husband's suit if you hug him or when walking together or during mingling of guest. No matter how well set, makeup will not hold up under sustained contact and friction.

[ Back to Questions ]

I want clips, decorations or veil in my hair. Do you have them or put them in?

We do not supply any decorative clips, hair accessories or veils. If you have them and want them integrated into your hairstyle please show us before we start so we can take that into consideration when styling your hair and put them in place when we finish with the hairstyling.

[ Back to Questions ]

Can you stay for the day and do touch ups and maybe later change styles?

[ Back to Questions ]

Can you recommend a good wedding photographer?

[ Back to Questions ]

I will want a manicure, pedicure and nails. Can you recommend a manicurist or nail salon in Las Vegas?

[ Back to Questions ]

What kind of makeup do you use?

[ Back to Questions ]

How much space do you need?

For doing makeup and hair on two people, a normal Las Vegas hotel room will be fine. However a mini or full suite is better and highly recommended if you will be wanting multiple members of the wedding party done or if there will be several other people in the room. Christiné brings her own makeup chair, but will need a clear table area to her right for her work materials. A large window with indirect lighting will suffice, but she brings a reflecting umbrella photography light as well. She should be in a very low traffic area with space for a light stand and the three large duffel bags which contain her over 100lbs of makeup, hair supplies and implements.

Hair is best done in a bathroom, where she will has a mirror and clear counter space for all of her hair styling implements and products.

Yes, but you should bring your own. Christiné usually carries a large number of hair appliances that she often uses for commercial and fashion work. At the end of the shoot she can wash them and use them again on another shoot in the future.

However, the majority of her wedding clients are from out of town and most she never sees again after doing their makeup and hair. Because of the expense and the importance of the proper hair color she could never stock the variety of hair pieces that she would need to cover every bride. If you bring your own she can certainly integrate them into your hairstyle. (depending on the amount of and quality of the extensions there may be an extra charge for this)

[ Back to Questions ]

If for some reason I change my mind or reschedule can I get a refund?

[ Back to Questions ]

I have a early sunrise wedding can you start with us at 4:00am?

Early call times are not a problem. I work TV, Film and Photography shoots frequently that require I be ready to go earlier than 4:00am. Depending on the time and the work to be done there may be an additional fee.

[ Back to Questions ]

How can I become a makeup artist....... and do work for events, magazines, movies, commercials, etc.?

There are a lot of people calling themselves makeup artists. They put on crazy colors, and feathers, and do all kinds of "creative" things... well I think that is great, however in my entire career I have only had a handful of jobs where the clients wanted crazy "creative" makeup. I don't do Cirque de Soleil or science fiction films. For me, the most important is knowing how to make people look their best. Make them look beautiful, in a natural way - subtle to dramatic -- but always working to bring out their best features while minimizing problem areas.

I think basic training is important. I studied cosmetology in Germany beginning at age 17. I learned all aspects, and after graduating I apprenticed and interned and learned the practical business of skin care and beauty. I did LOTS of facials, lots of waxings, nails, and very little makeup those early years.

I have been doing makeup and hair styling for photography since 1985. I was lucky early on meeting great people that I was able to work with and learn from. You must have the hand / eye coordination and the artist must be in you. If you have that, and the desire, all I can suggest is -- learn it... live it... love it... obsess with it... study it... and most importantly do it...do it... and do it!.... on yourself, every girlfriend, relative, neighbor whatever. You need good products and makeup is expensive, so the sooner you can get paid work the better. It's a bit of a catch 22 -- you need good work to get good work -- so you have to create your first portfolio as if they are actual real jobs, they need to look professional and you need to be able to see what does -- and what does not -- look professional. If it doesn't .. don't show it. If you can't see it -- then you are in the wrong business.

You need to build your makeup and hair kits so you can be prepared for every possible situation that might happen on a shoot or at an event. You need to have, on hand at all times, endless types and shades of foundations, blushes, shadows, concealers, puffs, sponges, powders and more.... You need to have a variety of eyelashes, different curling irons, blowdryers, hot rollers, clip in hair in a wide variety of colors and lengths, and your own salon worth of hair styling products and tools. You need to be prepared to work in tight quarters, back rooms, public restrooms, in the back of vans, cars, wading in water, climbing up (down) rocks in 110 degreee or 28 degree weather as the case may be.

I have -- at every job -- over 100 pounds of makeup and hair care products and implements, as well as a auxillary lighting setup for when I must work in those dark "closets" or corners that I often must work in -- and invariably I will still find something new that I want to bring with me the next time...

Once you feel you have the skills and your tools in order, you need to find talented photographers who are willing to take a risk using you. If you are going for "beauty work" try and get work on pretty people and get lots of good photos of your work. Build a portfolio of quality photos where your make up and hair look great! You will most likely work for free or for very low rates until you have a portfolio of high quality work to show. The work needs to at least look like it is from real jobs. (but don't make phony VOGUE covers!)

Getting your foot in the door is very important, and once you do, you better not fail and you better be on time, work hard and be professional. You are often the first person, and often one of the last, that the client or talent sees before they go on stage, in front of the camera or down the aisle. Your job is to not only make them look beautiful but to "feel" beautiful and relaxed and confident.

Once you have developed your skills, and have some work and references, you need to make people aware of you. I suggest you build a professional website (not myspace) to show your work and tell people about yourself and show and tell them why they should hire you. Print up business cards and promotional pieces... send out letters of introduction to all of your local potential employers and clients, call them, meet them, and then do it all over again. You will also need to promote your business website in every way possible so that you come up well in the search engines, and buy additional advertising in markets that your potential clients will be looking to. You can figure that you need to spend 20% of what you want to make every month on marketing and advertising. You can be the best artist in the world and if no one knows, you will not be successful. You have to get the word out.

In time, people will learn of you, and the jobs will start to come. Good photographers and producers know how important good makeup and hair is to a shoot. A future bride wants to be beatuiful and confident. Being a makeup artist carries huge responsibilities. Your work can make or break a project, session or event.

Remember, "patience is a virtue" -- 20 yr old celebrity stylists are the exception and not the rule -- Passion and love for the art is wonderful, but experience and knowledge is very important, and it takes time and a lot of practice to get it.     --"Christiné"

[ Back to Questions ]