Makeup Artist
ShengmiiShirley
Posts: 5
Portland, Oregon, US
For regular makeup services, I charge $60/person. I'm wondering how much I should charge for bridal services. Should I charge the same price, and charge the bride a little more? Or should I come up with a bridal package deal? Does location also play a big part with the cost? I live in Austin, TX, and it may differ from prices in let's say, California, and New York. Let me know!
-Shirley
Photographer
No One of Consequence
Posts: 2980
Winchester, Virginia, US
Shirley Glamup wrote:
For regular makeup services, I charge $60/person. I'm wondering how much I should charge for bridal services. Should I charge the same price, and charge the bride a little more? Or should I come up with a bridal package deal? Does location also play a big part with the cost? I live in Austin, TX, and it may differ from prices in let's say, California, and New York. Let me know!
-Shirley Charge as much as the market will bear.
All that really matters from your perspective is the bottom line. How you present it to the client is a matter of salemanship and psychology.
People like getting bargains. The trick is to make them think they're getting a special deal when in fact you're charging them the same... or even more. You want to give them an incentive to give you MORE money, not less. The flip side is that you want to avoid looking like the cheap option. People (and brides in particular) want Gucci at 80% off... not Wal-Mart at regular price.... even if Gucci still costs 2x as much.
A good way to do this is to structure your pricing so that by spending more they're getting more for their money. Having tiered packages is a great way to do this (EG bronze, silver, gold). Make the silver look like a better deal than bronze, and gold look like a better deal than silver. From the customer's perspective, they're spending more, but they're also getting more for their money. From your perspective, your bottom line is bigger. It's cheap psychology but it works remarkably well, which is why so many places do it.
Don't discount your base price. Come up with a premium package and offer a deal that says something like: if the entire bridal party upgrades to silver, I'll give you a 10% discount, and if they upgrade to gold I'll give you a 25% discount. Always give yourself a way to upsell... always have additional products and services you can give them. Package nails along with faces. Give a discount if they do both. Think about anything they could possibly want and give it to them - at a price... and then give them an incentive get it.
Let's say you price it at 60/70/80. Upgrading to silver is +16% profit. Upgrading to gold is +33% profit. With the discounts I mentioned above you're still coming out way ahead even after giving them a discount. The thing is that people will be more wrapped up in how much they're saving that they don't notice how much extra they're spending.
Taking a sales and marketing class, or at least reading a book, is a very good investment of your time and money.
Makeup Artist
Danielle Blazer
Posts: 846
Los Angeles, California, US
You are wise to recognize that pricing is different in different markets. I am in Seattle and have no idea what the Austin market is like but in my opinion (and that's all it is) you are not charging much. I haven't looked at your portfolio, and this isn't the Critique Forum, but assuming you are an established artist with a good portfolio, that is low. When you consider time emailing or on the phone with a bride, time spent at a trial, time traveling, product usage and time packing for the job and cleaning your kit after not to mention the time working the day of....you are making less than minimum wage. Yes, in general brides are more than bridesmaids. You spend much more time with them and they get a trial beforehand, etc. I think a package deal is an excellent idea. I would research what is offered by other artists in your area and how much they charge. Then try to offer something that sets you apart and set your rates at a level that is competitive and yet still makes it worth cleaning all those brushes! Make sure you have your contracts and insurance sorted before you even begin.  Best of luck!
Makeup Artist
MakeUp By CC
Posts: 304
Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
I don't know anything about your market but that sounds very low to me. Def charge more for brides...it's more work. The emails, the advice you give, the trial, the makeup on the day itself, taking the time with her, plus of course traveling there..It's different than going to a studio and do makeup on one model, so charge more
Makeup Artist
Wigs and Makeup Allison
Posts: 290
Costa Mesa, California, US
You may want to add some bridal looks to your portfolio as examples to prospective clients.
Also--check the link on your profile for "More Glamup"--it took me to my facebook home page, not to an artist's page.
I don't really do bridal in Austin, but I do think your pricing seems low.
I hope that helps a little! :-)
Makeup Artist
Jackie McClay
Posts: 206
Brick, New Jersey, US
I live in NJ and my rates are about the same as yours but because of where i live they SHOULD be A LOT higher. My only problem is people tell me i am charging too much!! which is ridiculous because a lot of MUA's in my area charge $20 more than i do. I charge the entire bridal party 65 each including the bride (unless the bride can find 6 or more people for me to put makeup on then i do the bride for free.) I used to charge 85 for the bride and 70 for the maids... but i brought my prices down because people would call or email me asking for rates and they would say "oh thats too expensive" they still do it even when i tell them its $65!!!! then i found out that local salons are only charging $50.
Photographer
name removed3
Posts: 264
Boston, Massachusetts, US
charge 50-100$ per person
Photographer
No One of Consequence
Posts: 2980
Winchester, Virginia, US
Jackie McClay MUA wrote:
I live in NJ and my rates are about the same as yours but because of where i live they SHOULD be A LOT higher. My only problem is people tell me i am charging too much!! which is ridiculous because a lot of MUA's in my area charge $20 more than i do. I charge the entire bridal party 65 each including the bride (unless the bride can find 6 or more people for me to put makeup on then i do the bride for free.) I used to charge 85 for the bride and 70 for the maids... but i brought my prices down because people would call or email me asking for rates and they would say "oh thats too expensive" they still do it even when i tell them its $65!!!! then i found out that local salons are only charging $50. Raise your advertised price by $20 and if they say it's too high give them a coupon for $15 off.
People love getting a discount.
You can't compare salon cost vs on-site work. If you're doing location work, that's a premium service. If they want to complain say it's $50 for the make-up with an additional $15 service fee for travel.
All that matters to you is the bottom line. How you present it to the customer can make a world of difference.
Makeup Artist
LisaJohnson
Posts: 10525
Nashville, Tennessee, US
Makeup Artist
Danielle Blazer
Posts: 846
Los Angeles, California, US
LisaJohnson wrote:
*head desk* Yeah, kinda what I thought too.
Makeup Artist
Beauty Services
Posts: 1
Baltimore, Maryland, US
Usually it's $120 for bridal makeup.
Makeup Artist
Denise
Posts: 1926
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
LisaJohnson wrote:
*head desk* *face palm*
Makeup Artist
Kim Wood - MUA
Posts: 28
Amarillo, Texas, US
Wedding minimums work best for me. Brides can book sometime over a year in advance. I cant afford to turn down large wedding because a single bride reserved a date. Personally, I don't think its really fair to charge brides extra just because they are brides. I do the same quality work on every client that my brushes touch. I DO, however, have minimums and this is what helps make all the extra time spent scheduling worth it. I live in Texas too, and some complain about prices because salons only charge $35 a head  but this is where your portfolio will rescue you. I find that the clients that want cheap are usually big headaches all around and don't value you. (they are just as happy with a second rate makeup than a first class makeup because they don't know the difference) The easy going and most appreciate clients are willing to pay what you think you are worth...if you give them the pictures to prove you're the best! if it helps, I have my rates up on my site. (ugh!!! my rates are so low too, but this city is so small) http://www.amarillomakeup.com/#!weddings/c159s
Makeup Artist
Kim Wood - MUA
Posts: 28
Amarillo, Texas, US
**also, as far as offering "deals" "discounts" and "coupons" don't make it hard on yourself. There is a certain amount of psychology at play here that will only end up sabotaging yourself. YOU'RE A MAKEUP ARTIST NOT WALMART!! I read a really good e-book about this geared towards photographers pricing but you could apply it to pricing makeup easily. Its a quick easy read and pure gold! http://www.tofurious.com/marketing-tips … ographers/
Makeup Artist
Darrick Law
Posts: 19
Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
I changed my pricing structure two years ago and have found that this works best for me. My rate is based on the group size, the more people the cheaper per person. My current rates are: with one person makeup is $75, with 2-4 it's $65/each and with 5 plus it's $55. Hair is structured the same way (just a little more). Lashes, tattoo cover, trial runs are all charge separately as extras. My rates are probably on the low to average side of the MN market.
Hair Stylist
Keila Sone
Posts: 129
Harrison, New Jersey, US
Jackie McClay MUA wrote:
I live in NJ and my rates are about the same as yours but because of where i live they SHOULD be A LOT higher. My only problem is people tell me i am charging too much!! which is ridiculous because a lot of MUA's in my area charge $20 more than i do. I charge the entire bridal party 65 each including the bride (unless the bride can find 6 or more people for me to put makeup on then i do the bride for free.) I used to charge 85 for the bride and 70 for the maids... but i brought my prices down because people would call or email me asking for rates and they would say "oh thats too expensive" they still do it even when i tell them its $65!!!! then i found out that local salons are only charging $50. Wow I live in NJ too and I had some bridal business in Edison and They paid my rate bride is $150.00,which is pretty reasonable for bridal hair in East Coast,specially so close to NYC
I learned this lesson working at the salon,clients will always try game you,by saying it too expensive. If your not in their price range don't sweat it,in my experience people that focus on price are the one that always give you the hards time specially if they get you to lower your price...it's not worth the stress. Your target market should be people that can afford your original rate. The beauty industry is about perception,people will pay whatever if they think your worth it or trendy. 50% of my booking are because of brand image! I booked weddings sometimes without even doing a trail,that's crazy to me looking at it as consumer myself,but I understand that it what happens when you reinforce your brand,people trust your promise.
I would start working on brand image,you can also take branding course in your local college or you can read books on it. In end all comes down to how you want your clients to perceive you.
Also make sure you get 50% non refundable deposit that way you don't get last minute cancelations!people usually commit when they have give you half the money up front,plus I take balance paid as soon as I arrive before I start doing anyone,just make sure I don't get stiff after I finish the work... I do agree that you can be flexible with price if is a large bridal party.
Good luck and don't let the bridezillas get you
Photographer
ProArtWork
Posts: 54
New York, New York, US
Jackie McClay MUA wrote:
I live in NJ and my rates are about the same as yours but because of where i live they SHOULD be A LOT higher. My only problem is people tell me i am charging too much!! which is ridiculous because a lot of MUA's in my area charge $20 more than i do. I charge the entire bridal party 65 each including the bride (unless the bride can find 6 or more people for me to put makeup on then i do the bride for free.) I used to charge 85 for the bride and 70 for the maids... but i brought my prices down because people would call or email me asking for rates and they would say "oh thats too expensive" they still do it even when i tell them its $65!!!! then i found out that local salons are only charging $50. What you have here now in days are people cutting throat to get the business, and clients giving low prices as priority instead giving quality a priority. In the end they are going to get what they pay for!
Makeup Artist
Jeanniece Makeup Artist
Posts: 4
Montgomery Village, Maryland, US
This is something that I struggle with. I feel my prices are good for the quality of my work. Not just my experience and expertise, but the quality of my kit, my hygiene practices and the high end or salon grade products that I use.
I have gotten mixed reactions to my rates. Some say they are really high, but others tell me that my experience, professional demeanor and portfolio supports my rates.
Of course, I'm not always sure my market does. Bookings come hard, and I have been temped to lower my rates. I was encouraged my a colleague with similar rates. I feel that as artists and professionals, we need to come together to promote our industry. Collectively we need to feel comfortable charging what is really fair when you look at the time spent and the cost of your kit. In the end, it's about educating the client.
Recent observations have reinforced my resolve to hold steady with my current rates.
I currently work part time at a makeup retail store. I see brides come in to buy the items they need to do their own makeup. Trust me, by the time most of them are done, they spend easily over $200.00, generally over $300.00...and they still have to apply it themselves on one of the most special and hectic days of their lives.
They basically build their own kit of a bunch of stuff they may never use again. If you charge $150.00 plus a trial, they still come out ahead.
Hope this helps.
Model
Cervezax
Posts: 152
Atlanta, Georgia, US
No One of Consequence wrote:
Charge as much as the market will bear.
All that really matters from your perspective is the bottom line. How you present it to the client is a matter of salemanship and psychology.
People like getting bargains. The trick is to make them think they're getting a special deal when in fact you're charging them the same... or even more. You want to give them an incentive to give you MORE money, not less. The flip side is that you want to avoid looking like the cheap option. People (and brides in particular) want Gucci at 80% off... not Wal-Mart at regular price.... even if Gucci still costs 2x as much.
A good way to do this is to structure your pricing so that by spending more they're getting more for their money. Having tiered packages is a great way to do this (EG bronze, silver, gold). Make the silver look like a better deal than bronze, and gold look like a better deal than silver. From the customer's perspective, they're spending more, but they're also getting more for their money. From your perspective, your bottom line is bigger. It's cheap psychology but it works remarkably well, which is why so many places do it.
Don't discount your base price. Come up with a premium package and offer a deal that says something like: if the entire bridal party upgrades to silver, I'll give you a 10% discount, and if they upgrade to gold I'll give you a 25% discount. Always give yourself a way to upsell... always have additional products and services you can give them. Package nails along with faces. Give a discount if they do both. Think about anything they could possibly want and give it to them - at a price... and then give them an incentive get it.
Let's say you price it at 60/70/80. Upgrading to silver is +16% profit. Upgrading to gold is +33% profit. With the discounts I mentioned above you're still coming out way ahead even after giving them a discount. The thing is that people will be more wrapped up in how much they're saving that they don't notice how much extra they're spending.
Taking a sales and marketing class, or at least reading a book, is a very good investment of your time and money. Lovely.
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but this is where your portfolio will rescue you. I find that the clients that want cheap are usually big headaches all around and don't value you. (they are just as happy with a second rate makeup than a first class makeup because they don't know the difference) The easy going and most appreciate clients are willing to pay what you think you are worth...if you give them the pictures to prove you're the best! if it helps, I have my rates up on my site. (ugh!!! my rates are so low too, but this city is so small)