Questions & Answers
What forms of payment do you accept?
Personal checks and Paypal payments (via electronic invoice sent directly from us).
How can I reserve my event date?
First you’ll want to contact us and make sure your wedding date is still available. A majority of our clients book 6 months to a year in advance so this is the most important step! Once a package is chosen and any questions you have are answered, a contract along with a 50% deposit is required in order to reserve your date.
Will I receive a preview/trial appointment? If so how far in advance should this be scheduled?
Absolutely! It’s included in every package! If you prefer to have a trial prior to making your reservation one can be booked separately. That being said, event dates cannot be held pending a consultation. You are only guaranteed your wedding date after contracting with us. If you’ve already booked with us we suggest scheduling your consultation 1- 2 months prior to your event date. If you’re waiting to reserve your date based on results of a trial we recommend scheduling one right away to avoid losing your date.
Does Bella B. really come to any location I choose to do my bridal makeup? Is there an extra charge for this service?
Yes, we come to you wherever that may be! Due to the current gas prices and in effort to avoid raising the costs of our services across the board, a small travel fee may apply to some locations. Please contact us to see if your location requires an additional travel fee.
Do I really need touch ups?
Not always! It’s never a requirement in order to reserve your date. Our touch up service is really geared toward our spring/summer brides. All our makeup applications are applied to last. We utilize fabulous primers & sealing products regardless of the services reserved. Additionally, all cosmetics used are water resistant so the average amount of tears, drinking, dancing and hugging should not compromise your makeup. You will also be provided with a lip stick or gloss to help maintain your look (included in all bridal packages). Please visit the “Touch Ups” page for more information regarding this service.
If I get a package that covers me and my bridal party but I only want touch ups for myself and not my bridesmaids, is that a problem?
No problem at all! We can customize a package that fits your needs and the needs of your bridal party.
What if I have more or less people in my bridal party than covered in a package?
All packages listed on the site can be customized to fit your needs. The cost will reflect the changes made.
What if I did not intend on paying for my bridesmaids’ makeup applications?
Not a problem. Your bridesmaids can be charged separately. You will still receive the same package price but only be responsible for your portion. We do ask that the bridesmaids pay in cash or check on the wedding day and provide one form a payment to keep things simple.
Can Bella B. travel to my destination or out of town wedding location to provide services?
We sure can! In addition to our normal bridal package costs and/or discounts for your event, a travel fee based on travel expenses, accommodations and the number of days required for the event will be applied to the total package cost. A minimum deposit of all travel fees will be required at the time of the booking. Please contact us for a detailed quote. Be sure to supply your wedding date, event location and the number of people in your bridal party.
What brand of makeup do you use?
We only use products that have been proven to look fabulous in professional photography and can deliver the longevity needed for such a special event. All makeup is not created equal! Because Bella B does not represent any one cosmetic company we can use what we feel is the best of the best from all the available product lines to provide the ultimate result! Some examples: M.A.C, Makeup Forever, Urban Decay, Chanel, Dior, Nars, Bobby Brown, and Benefit just to name a few.
Do you do airbrush makeup?
We do not. We feel traditional applications are more beneficial when bridal makeup is concerned. Foundation can be applied in several different ways. Most commonly, a foundation brush or a sponge is used. The airbrush machine is simply just another tool that can be utilized to distribute a product (creates a mist that is sprayed onto the skin). Working with various skin types and tones we prefer the control that brushes and sponges provide opposed to the mist. Additionally, we feel airbrush specific cosmetics leave a lot to be desired for bridal purposes. The silicon based airbrush foundations can crack and are virtually impossible to touch up (laugh lines around the mouth & eyes). Water based alternatives are not an option given the extreme need for bridal makeup to be water resistant.
To date, research hasn’t been able to show that airbrushed applications last any longer than traditional applications. Additionally, because the airbrush technique/products were designed for, and looks best, under studio lighting; we simply can’t find a way for our bridal clients to benefit from it at this time.
Do you offer false eyelashes? If so, do I have to wear them?
Bella B does offer several false eyelash options at no extra charge. If you are not sure about incorporating them into your bridal makeup we can decide together as we discuss and create the perfect look for you at your trial/consultation.
What is a mini application?
With a mini application your bridesmaids would apply their personally owned foundation prior to their appointment time and Bella B will provide everything else! This is an inexpensive way to insure your bridesmaids look their best in your pictures while saving money to join in the fun!
One of my bridesmaids does not wish to have their makeup done. Is this a problem?
Not unless it’s a problem for you! It’s your day and we are happy to adjust the price based on one bridesmaid. The only time this becomes an issue for us is if said bridesmaid changed her mind after seeing everyone else’s makeup come wedding day and there wasn’t enough time in the schedule to accommodate her. That’s always a bummer!
Do you cover tattoos?
Yes we do! The price varies based on the color & size of the area being covered. We require advance notification if you desire tattoo coverage so we can decide how much time to allocate on wedding day to achieve optimal results.
The next couple of questions are general questions we get asked often but aren’t specific to our services. If you have questions (specific or general) that are not answered on the site, please email us! We are happy to help!
Why should I hire a professional makeup artist?
To date, this is the probably the most important day of your life. Guests might not remember what your invitations looked like but they will remember that you looked radiant & gorgeous! Emotions run high on our wedding day and hiring a makeup artist removes the stress of getting the perfect look all on your own or placing that stress on a friend or family member. Most importantly, all makeup is not created equal! Some products can look greasy or too light in flash photography. They all don’t last as long as needed or aren’t water resistant. Professional artists will use the proper makeup to insure you look like the best you possible! You will have invested a lot of time, money, and energy into your wedding. You deserve to sit back, relax and have a skilled expert make you look and feel beautiful!
Why shouldn’t I buy my bridal makeup at the mall and do it myself?
This option can definitely work for brides that are really good at doing their makeup normally and who own the proper products and tools. Just keep in mind that bridal makeup tends to be very different from what one might wear every day. It’s typically more formal and should be appropriate for professional photography. If you aren’t part of the group mentioned above, it can be a pretty big investment to purchase the right items you might only use once. If you’re new to makeup all together the proper brushes alone could cost over $100. Adding in the cost of makeup and the stress of hoping you can recreate what you’ve learned from the sales person can make this process overwhelming! Just weigh all your options. A professional artist alleviates the uncertainty and probably won’t cost as much as purchasing everything needed. Why take a chance right before you walk down the aisle? Take that time to relax!
Should you decide to go ahead and do your own bridal makeup we suggest having a private lesson to insure you’re using the proper products for your event (examples: the time of day, lighting, venue, photography, most flattering colors) and that you have the confidence to apply it.
Why shouldn’t I just get my bridal makeup done at the mall?
Department store makeovers hold you captive to just one cosmetic company’s products and leave you at the mercy of whatever sales person happens to be working the counter that day. If they are having an off day or possibly new to their job you might not get the service you deserve on such a special day. Most brands also have a minimum purchase requirement that you’ll have to spend in order to get a full face of makeup applied. If you want to have a trial as well who knows if the same person would even be there to apply your makeup come wedding day. Traveling to the mall, fighting traffic, finding parking and potentially have to wait while the sales person walks away to help other customers in the middle of doing your makeup is not something most girls think about while dreaming about their wedding day.
All the magazines I read say to spend 10% on my dress, veil, makeup and hair combined! My dress cost almost 10% of my budget. Can this % be right?
You have to remember that everything is relative. If you have a larger budget you probably won’t spend anywhere near 10% on all of your beauty needs. If you are on a tighter budget you might spend over 10% due to the fact that the items listed above can individually cost a reasonable amount of money on their own. I agree this can be a dilemma! Your dress, veil, hair and makeup all go together to create the visual look of a bride. Are they all equally important? That’s up to you. When there is a will there is a way! Maybe you borrow a veil or just wear a flower in your hair and allocate those funds somewhere else. Maybe you opt not to feed your quests…. I mean it is your wedding day! Shouldn’t it be all about you! I’m totally kidding! Spend only what you can afford! All brides are beautiful just by showing up in their bridal gowns! Your day will be perfect! Have fun and congratulations!