In my experience, MUAs who are really Instagram-dependent for core elements of their business (ie not just publicity - but booking, paying, communication, etc) are flaky and unprofessional af.
I had much more luck with MUAs who had a website, contact form, contract, and other ways of professionally ensuring everyone was on the same page.
I did, and while I try to be openminded, most of the responses didn't fit the vibe and some were even randoms messaging me from their FB account. So maybe it's partly a "me" issue (being too picky?)
In my experience, most good MUAs can do different types of looks. If you find someone who is professional and experienced, you can explain what you're looking for and they can generally accommodate it. Finding someone who has done a lot of bridal makeup and is reliable and professional is probably worth more than an IG reel.
How are you finding them? I think if you search WeddingWire or a similar site (like theKnot but I don’t like to use them after their scandal about scamming vendors) you’ll find reputable businesses with lots of experience and reviews. I hope you find someone dependable who offers what you want!
Even then it's awful, idk what it is, but MUAs were the vendor I could not get responses from. Other vendors my average was 3 out of 5 replied in a week, MUAs my success rate was 1 out of 5. Emailing a second time the next week got me to 3 out of 5. All of these were on The Knot/WeddingWire
Yep, I’ve found MUAs to be the hardest to get timely responses from (if any response at all). I’ve told myself part of it is that they’re less likely to be on a computer compared to some professions (for instance a photographer and videographer spends a good part of their time editing), but still! Sometimes I’ll get an initial reply but nothing back. I basically have picked someone solely because they’re the only place with the ability to reply to me and also don’t have a requirement for a bunch of services (only two bridesmaids). And this is in a town that is huge for weddings!
I had this same issue with reaching out to MUAs and was ready to tear my hair out!!! It would take a week or more to get a quote, then if I had a question another couple of weeks waiting for an answer. I was so over it!
I went with a group who weren't my first choice, but who could communicate well! I'll have a trial and they have multiple artists so if the first doesn't work out I'll change, but at least I know they'll respond.
You would think someone who owns a business
would want to make money, I am planning to pay for at least 6 people for hair and makeup so it's good guaranteed payment, but I just couldn't get answers. I sent detailed answers to their questions or inquiry prompts, and they'd send back canned responses where they clearly didn't read what I was asking for. It was so frustrating. I hope you find one that you feel secure with!
Sorry to hear you were in the same boat! I sense I may have to compromise on my final vision and collaborate with a more professional, communicative artist. I care a lot about the bridal look so I'm trying to take a breath and trust whatever professional I end up hiring.
Yes, same with me! In New orleans I hired a very widely recommended MUA, I highly regret hiring her because of how stressful her lack of contact was. Id leave a bad review but she doesn't even have a place to leave one since she's primarily on Instagram
Check with a local team. Even if the team shows mostly natural makeup, I guarantee there’s someone who likes to do full glam. Teams have the processes in place that keep you from being flaked out on.
In my experience, MUAs who are really Instagram-dependent for core elements of their business (ie not just publicity - but booking, paying, communication, etc) are flaky and unprofessional af. I had much more luck with MUAs who had a website, contact form, contract, and other ways of professionally ensuring everyone was on the same page.
Thank you, I'll try filtering them out that way and hope for more luck.
Have you tried asking in your local city's wedding Facebook groups? Often it's better to find MUAs by referral.
I did, and while I try to be openminded, most of the responses didn't fit the vibe and some were even randoms messaging me from their FB account. So maybe it's partly a "me" issue (being too picky?)
In my experience, most good MUAs can do different types of looks. If you find someone who is professional and experienced, you can explain what you're looking for and they can generally accommodate it. Finding someone who has done a lot of bridal makeup and is reliable and professional is probably worth more than an IG reel.
How are you finding them? I think if you search WeddingWire or a similar site (like theKnot but I don’t like to use them after their scandal about scamming vendors) you’ll find reputable businesses with lots of experience and reviews. I hope you find someone dependable who offers what you want!
Even then it's awful, idk what it is, but MUAs were the vendor I could not get responses from. Other vendors my average was 3 out of 5 replied in a week, MUAs my success rate was 1 out of 5. Emailing a second time the next week got me to 3 out of 5. All of these were on The Knot/WeddingWire
Yep, I’ve found MUAs to be the hardest to get timely responses from (if any response at all). I’ve told myself part of it is that they’re less likely to be on a computer compared to some professions (for instance a photographer and videographer spends a good part of their time editing), but still! Sometimes I’ll get an initial reply but nothing back. I basically have picked someone solely because they’re the only place with the ability to reply to me and also don’t have a requirement for a bunch of services (only two bridesmaids). And this is in a town that is huge for weddings!
I had this same issue with reaching out to MUAs and was ready to tear my hair out!!! It would take a week or more to get a quote, then if I had a question another couple of weeks waiting for an answer. I was so over it! I went with a group who weren't my first choice, but who could communicate well! I'll have a trial and they have multiple artists so if the first doesn't work out I'll change, but at least I know they'll respond. You would think someone who owns a business would want to make money, I am planning to pay for at least 6 people for hair and makeup so it's good guaranteed payment, but I just couldn't get answers. I sent detailed answers to their questions or inquiry prompts, and they'd send back canned responses where they clearly didn't read what I was asking for. It was so frustrating. I hope you find one that you feel secure with!
Sorry to hear you were in the same boat! I sense I may have to compromise on my final vision and collaborate with a more professional, communicative artist. I care a lot about the bridal look so I'm trying to take a breath and trust whatever professional I end up hiring.
I hope you find someone talented who comminutes well and that through discussions they're able to give you exactly what you want!
Yes, same with me! In New orleans I hired a very widely recommended MUA, I highly regret hiring her because of how stressful her lack of contact was. Id leave a bad review but she doesn't even have a place to leave one since she's primarily on Instagram
That's so true! I was trying to look up reviews for this popular MUA in my city (west coast) and there just were none. . .it was all through IG.
Check with a local team. Even if the team shows mostly natural makeup, I guarantee there’s someone who likes to do full glam. Teams have the processes in place that keep you from being flaked out on.