I do a lot of bridal makeup and have also added hair (done by a stylist, not me) to my menu of services.  I have a some really good stylists that I work with and I book them out as independent contractors and pay them a flat rate per person*  I pay the same flat rate per head whether it is the bridal trial run, bridal day of, attendants hair etc and whether or not it is a hair and makeup package or they are just doing the hair.  I pay my independent contractor stylists better than anyone I know in my area.  It is my bridal business so I am the one answering emails, writing up the contracts, keeping up the website, paying for advertising etc.  All the stylist has to do is show up, do hair and get paid.

I have started working with a new stylist and when she was hired I explained everything to her in full detail about how pay was flat rate.  So last night I was working a trial run with her and the bride mentioned (and the stylist heard) that she might want to book more services so that a couple more of her attendants could get their hair only done. The bride had asked for a hair only price (and I emailed her one) a few weeks back in case anyone wanted hair only. I don't usually offer a la carte hair services so I don't have the price for that posted on my website.

So the trial run is finished and the stylist and I are walking to our cars when she starts questioning me about my prices and how much I am charging for things.  I was floored.  I don't know if she was ignorant or trying to negotiate getting paid more, but I feel it was the latter and she also had a little bit of an attitude when I told her I was not sure what I quoted the bride. All my prices with the exception of a la carte services are posted on my website so I am not trying to keep any secrets. I have been an ind contractor and assistant before and have never and would never ask the person who hired me how much they are getting paid for the job. 

I think she is maybe feeling that if she is doing hair only and makeup is not being done that she needs to get paid more.  In reality I am making less than 20% over what she is getting paid for the hair only. 

So now here is the question- If this happened to you would you re-explain everything over again about being an independent contractor and how she is getting paid or would you see this incident as a red flag of bad etiquette and a sign of things to come and not work with her again after this wedding is done?

Your thoughts on this are greatly appreciated!


*The flat rate covers a basic bridal hairstyle that can be done in about 30 minutes or less anything more complicated I pay more money for.

I might find a different hair stylist if I were you... it sounds like this stylist might go behind your back and steal your hair only clients so you loose out on money...
I'd sit down with her and explain it to her one more time, maybe she doesnt understand that you are getting her the work and take a small fee for doing so... kinda like a chair rental fee at a salon....
if she is still questioning you on why you charge what you charge I'd dump her....

I would be very cautious about doing future biz with her.  First of all, it's none of her business what you charge your clients.  Her fee is whatever you guys agreed on.  There's nothing more to discuss.  (feel free to say it more politely than i just did of course)  If she feels like her pay is not sufficient then she can work elsewhere. 

Imagine this*  A production co. hired you for makeup at your day rate and then you found out that they charged the client X amount of $ and you decided to question them about it....I can only imagine that they would not be calling you again.

If you want to e-mail me I can talk with you about how I manage my company.  Too much to write here and too little time.  [email protected]

Best of luck to you!

It's very rude to ask people in business or anybody else for that matter,  how much money they make,  especially when you have just left the job and are not even in the car,

How much money you make should not have been first thing you needed to talk about,  if at all.

I would not explain it to her again, once is enough,  if she didn't listen the first time,  I would not take the time out again.

Red flag

I have to admit I agree with the overall feeling on this thread. I considered starting a custom service, a sort of agency set up taking a fee from make up artists (20%), doing the marketing etc and setting up a referal site. 

The overall response was but why should I pay you? What do you charge for your services as a private consult?  Can I have your potential clients list so I can see if its worth my while?

In general if someone is brought in sub contract then you need to have a contract written up agreeing terms of service and in this case I Would add a clause in on contact with clients. 

My friend worked fashion week and has taken on the same process:  no cards or contact details to be given to a clients without permission.  Its difficult to enforce unless you are standing in line of sight constantly. I have layed this down with girls who've assisted me only to find they have tried to gain the clients contact and gave them cards etc when I wasn't around.

Start looking for a new stylist and do contracts for each job they sign up to and make sure that its watertight.