While some women can be comfortable with doing their own makeup and retouches on their wedding day, some women want the assurance that they’ll look their best on their wedding when they look at their old photos. For that job, hair and makeup artists (HMUAs) offer different kinds of services.
Cost of Hair and Makeup
HMUA package rates can range between P7,500 to P30,000. The price depends on factors like the HMUA’s package deals, the makeup they use (airbrush or traditional), the HMUA’s typical clientele (HMUAs with celebrity clients charge more than small-time HMUAs), and the kind of look the bride wants.
Additional costs you can expect are the OOT fees, retouching upgrades, and additional heads that aren’t included in the package rates. Hair and makeup for men (more commonly known as “grooming”) is much less expensive at around P800 to P1,500 per head.
Does this sound confusing? If so, here are the terms you’ll need to know when discussing prices with your HMUA.
Terms to Know When Discussing HMUA Rates
You’ll find plenty of HMUAs on Google, Instagram, Facebook, and other places where you can find a referral for a wedding HMUA. When dealing with rates and deals, here are some things you need to know.
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Out-of-town fees (OOT)
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For out-of-town weddings, their rates are usually exclusive of transportation or overnight accommodation. Some HMUAs have a fixed rate, while others charge depending on how far away the venue is and how expensive accommodations in the area are.
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Package Deals
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HMUAs often have group rates for bridal parties. Most packages cover the bride, the groom (if the groom is preparing in the same venue), and around two to five additional heads from the bridal party. Additional heads cost extra.
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Retouch and Unli-retouch
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Without retouch options, the HMUA will do their job before the ceremony and leave. With retouch, the HMUA will stick around until after the ceremony to do one retouch before the reception. With unli-retouch, they will stick around either for a certain number of hours (usually 3 to 5) and provide as many retouches as necessary. Some rates are inclusive or both, while others require an additional upgrade.
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Prenup Makeup
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Some rates provide HMUA services for both the prenuptial photoshoot and for the wedding day. Other HMUAs provide this service separately.
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Men’s Grooming
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Styling services for men. This is more on hair than makeup, so it is much cheaper for men. Take note that your HMUA will only do the groom and his groomsmen’s styling if they are in the same venue (i.e. getting ready in the same hotel but different room).
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“Airbrush” vs. “Traditional”
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Airbrush makeup is a relatively new type of makeup where the MUA sprays on the makeup. When used properly, the result is a flawless and natural-looking complexion. Airbrush makeup is also waterproof and can supposedly last up to 15 hours. Traditional makeup, on the other hand, is everyday makeup applied the normal way. More expensive HMUAs are more likely to use high-end makeup with better staying power.
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Number of “Looks”
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This is the number of times a HMUA can totally change the bride’s hair and makeup instead of a simple retouch. This is for when a bride wants a different hairstyle and makeup for the ceremony and the reception. A bride may also want to change her hairstyle and makeup several times during the reception.
Author: Justine Lubag
Justine loves costumes, puns, horror films, and blue dresses. A literature graduate from the south, she writes online content for a living but is super shy about others reading her fan fiction.
