Trial/Preview Appointments

Do you offer trial appointments? 
Absolutely!  If you're looking for book a trial, we recommend scheduling a "trial preview appointment" for at least 3-6+ months or so before the event. 3 months works best for those brides who've already completed a contract, while 6 months or more is ideal for those brides who'd like to try the services before committing.  Depending on the time of year, we may not have availability for a trial preview with less than 3 months notice.

*Your retainer will only secure your date until your trial appointment. The trial will need to happen within 3 months of the initial inquiry if you'd like to "try before you buy". If you are unable to make it in for a trial within 3 months of your initial inquiry, your wedding is less than 6 months away, or you would like to forego a trial, a signed contract and 50% deposit confirms your booking.

 
What's the best day for the appointment and how much time should I allot? 
We generally schedule all trial preview appointments the first Sunday of each month at our studio space in Wixom.  Our preview appointments are about 60-75 min per service, with the goal of showing you what you will look like for the wedding day. With hair, your stylist may be able to show you one chosen complete style and possibly a rough draft of another if time allows within your hour appointment. If your hair is at or past your bra line or you would like to test out clip in extensions at your trial you will need a 90 min session at $150. If you know that you would like to see 2 or more completely different styles we recommend booking a double session for 2 hours at $180 or 2 separate appointments.  

Do I really need to do a trial preview appointment? 
This is especially tricky for out of town or admittedly very low maintenance brides and clients.  A preview just gives you a great idea of what you'll look like on the day of the event, if you like more or less makeup in general, and how it will feel and last throughout the night. Think of it as a tasting menu-- you get to sample different ideas, and then make any edits before the big day. You can always share inspo pictures with us through your client profile and we can chat about it if you are unable to make it in for a preview appointment. Everyone on our team is very experienced and professional. You are in good hands!

How do I prepare for my trial appointment and what do I need to know?

We have a highlight bubble on our IG titled "Please Read" and it talks all about what to expect and how to prepare for your trial. Everything from skincare to extensions is covered!

If I schedule a trial preview appointment, will you automatically hold my appointment date? 
Please note that we only will hold a wedding appointment date for the 24 hours following your preview appointment. Your $100 retainer will hold your appointment until your trial if it takes place within the initial 3 months, but a signed contract and 50% deposit is still required within 24 hours. The retainer is non refundable and will go towards your final balance.

Minimum Number of Services

Is there a minimum number of services required for a wedding or event appointment? 
It depends on the time of year.  From May 1st - November 1st, we require a 4 service minimum per team artist/stylist for an appointment.  If the wedding is more than an hour away we require 5 services per artist/stylist.For the rest of the year, we may be able to offer Bride Only services. Please inquire!  Lead make-up artist Robbin now offers a bride only makeup service. Please inquire for details.

Parking & Travel Fees

Do you travel for on-location services?
We absolutely will come to your location-- you'll have enough to do that morning as is!  All parking/valet fees and travel arrangements are the responsibility of the client. We do need to know your general timeline when booking your appointment.

Who pays for parking?
The client is responsible for all parking/valet fees for the event. Each artist often has 1-3 kit bags, and sometimes beauty lights and a chair in tow. If your location offers valet parking and there is not an attached parking lot to the hotel, that's the option our team uses in order to get to you as quickly as possible.  Unless other payment arrangements have been made, all parking and taxi costs are to be paid on the contract, charged to the room or credit card on file. Valet parking in Detroit ranges from $25-$42.

 
What are your travel fees?

$50/30 mins/artist each artist or stylist 

Detroit Weddings only - 1st artist $75 & each additional $25 Ex; Shinola Hotel-1st Artist = $75 or 2 artists for $100, 3 for $125

Over an hour away at $1/mi

Over 2 Hours away requires a hotel

Our bridal teams travel fee starts at $50/artist for appointments up to 30 minutes from 48393. Over an hour away or more in mileage roundtrip at $1/mile/artist..Over 2 hours away a hotel or airBNB with a 3+star rating must be provided within 10 minutes of the venue by the bride. If the wedding is more than 2 hours away accommodations for 1 night are required. If the wedding is more than 3 hours away accommodations are required for the night before and the night of the wedding- 2 nights + per diem per artist or stylist. Accommodations must be confirmed at least 2 weeks in advance and a cc authorization form completed at hotel.

Can the team move locations mid way or during services if we have limited time at one venue?

Unfortunately this is not possible. There needs to be one set location that we are traveling to. Each artist carries multiple heavy bags, lights, sometimes chairs, etc. It takes us time to set up, break down, drive, set up again and would put a major strain on our bodies and the timing for the day. If you are interested in touchups, we can pack one small bag and meet you at a next location once initial services are complete with an additional travel fee.

Do you work with destination events and weddings?
We love destination weddings! The logistics for these events can be more complex, so please email us with your info and details, and we'll work with you to set up the best appointment. In addition to our destination travel fees, we require airfare and accommodations to be provided for the event.  Depending on the location and artist, there may be additional fees for accommodations, and transportation costs.

The Fine Print

It's important for us to know initially how many services you will need for our team's scheduling purposes. Additional stylists may not be available closer to the wedding date. We ask that you have your final # of services needed available within 2 weeks of your retainer/deposit. Additionally, the ready by time and start time initially agreed upon when signing the contract is the time frame we will hold. Your artist may schedule something before or after their booking with you so it's important we stick to the time.Generally your photographer will want you ready 2-3 hours before the ceremony. 

You may remove services up to 90 days before the wedding but are locked into the number of services after that.

Please note that your retainer payment is required to hold your trial preview appointment and your signed contract confirms booking. The final payment is due 7 days before your event date. If your bridal party members are paying for their services, they would need to make arrangements in advance to reimburse you.  

Do you offer airbrush makeup?

The short answer is no. We do not prefer this method over traditionally buffing into the skin by brush and sponge. All of the makeup looks you see in our portfolio or social media sites are done with traditional makeup. Why, you ask? Good question…Airbrush makeup is an outdated process that began in the 80’s. It is literally just spraying tiny particles of makeup onto your skin like a mask. If it is not melted into the skin with a brush and sponge it lays on the surface and looks unnatural. It accentuates fine lines and wrinkles, peach fuzz, emphasizes large pores, and you cannot touch it up once it sets. It is also not waterproof as some think. From a team of very experienced artists, trust us it is not better.

Booking Process Fully Explained

You might be wondering about our retainer, preview sessions, our booking process and how it all works.

The $100 retainer is non refundable and serves to hold your makeup artist and/or hairstylist until you can make it in for a trial preview session. This will be put towards your final balance due for the wedding. It is not payment for your trial service. This is separate. It is also a show of good faith that you intend to work with us. This only applies when the bride would like to "try before you buy" and the wedding is more than 6 month away. Otherwise you have the option to pay 50% up front and sign the contract right away to have the trial closer to the wedding. If the wedding is less than 6 months away the only way to save the date with us is a signed contract and 50% deposit. 

We give you 3 months from your initial inquiry to hold our team with only the $100 retainer and make it in for a trial preview.  This means we will not book any other bride for your date and hold your trial time and artists for up to 3 months or until just after your trial. After the trial a signed contract and 50% deposit confirms your booking with us. 

The cost of the makeup and or hair preview trial sessions are $125 each, $250 for both. Each session is 60-75 mins max and generally take place on the first Sunday of each month in our studio in the Wixom/Novi area. If you think you might like to try more than one hairstyle, we do recommend you book a double session for 2 hours with your stylist. The cost for this is $225. You also have the option to book a second trial at our next available date. Your stylist will happily show you everything they can in your hour session but sometimes more elaborate hairstyles such as a vintage wave and a formal up-style will require 2 hours or 2 appointments. The trial preview session is not required but is a great way to get a feel for your overall look and ease any anxiety you may have. 

If you are unsure about the exact number of services needed at the time of your inquiry you should ask for the minimum that you have confirmed. Our minimum isi 4 for hair services and/or 4 for makeup services. We may have the option to add on later once everyone has confirmed. If you think you may have 8 or more services per hair or makeup the sooner you let us know the sooner we could put an additional artist or hair stylist on hold for your date if needed. You cannot remove services 90 days or less from the date. 

If you have for example 8 needing makeup and you need everyone ready in 3.5 hours you may opt to add an additional artist for $150 to expedite the timeline. Otherwise, 1 artist is able to do 8 makeups in 6.5 hours total. Hair moves more quickly, for example 1 hair stylist will finish 8 hairstyles in 5 hours. (We are able to do 10 makeups with 2 makeup artists in 4.5 hours for reference).

Lastly, we are a team of very talented and experienced makeup artists and stylists. Robbin is the owner and lead makeup artist. If you'd like to book your makeup specifically with her please indicate so on the brochure! Nico is our other very talented lead makeup artist available by request. Shannon & Dakota are our highly skilled, lead hairstylists with years of knowledge. They are also available upon request indicated on the brochure- otherwise, you will be placed with someone from our award winning team available for your date. 

I hope this helps you better understand our process! We are alway here for help if you have a question!