Should you lot tip the makeup artist?

After a headshot shoot, when the makeup creative person is only out of earshot, nosotros've ofttimes had clients frantically whisper to us, "psst!  Do I tip the makeup artist?!"  Whether or not to tip your makeup artist is a complicated question.  And information technology should start with what kind of makeup artist you lot're dealing with.

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Nuptials makeup artists:  YES

If any makeup artist is tipped, it's almost commonly the hymeneals makeup artist.  Some estimates are that almost fourscore-90% of wedding vendors in general (including makeup artists and hair stylists) await a tip.  This is because a wedding is a luxury event, and all the vendors involved are supplying a customized, luxury service.  For a wedding ceremony, a makeup creative person ordinarily travels to your location, provides a consultation and communicates back and forth on ideas for the look you'd similar before the event, and even purchases supplies and makeup specifically for your application.

Counter makeup artists:  NO

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Don't freak out if you simply realized yous've never tipped the makeup artist at Sephora or Nordstrom for the time they spent educational activity you how to contour.  It'south mostly considered not necessary to tip a counter makeup creative person, and some stores even prohibit it.  These makeup artists are actually salespeople with makeup skills and sometimes training, but their end goal at the counter is to sell you a product. Never go to a makeup counter for a makeup application for a photo shoot.  These makeup artists are unlikely to have the skill or inclination to utilize custom makeup for your needs, and the products are not probable to be specially made for photography.  And again, their main objective is to test products on your face in order to sell them to you, which is not bad for when you're sampling products you lot'd like to purchase for yourself.  But don't call back you're adulterous the system past having a salesperson at a makeup counter do your makeup for free for your photoshoot.  Every time someone has come to our studio after doing this, they always stop up unhappy with their look.  We've had to get-go stocking makeup removing cloths in the studio so clients can remove their counter-applied makeup before their session.

Makeup artists for headshots/portraiture/commercial shoots:  MAYBE

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If tipping a nuptials makeup artist was a reasonably solid "yep," and tipping a counter makeup creative person was a pretty solid "no," then tipping a makeup creative person for your headshot or portrait session is a definite "maybe."  For hair salons, a rule of thumb some people subscribe to is that you tip the stylists who work for the salon, simply not the salon owner.  Some people extend this idea to makeup artists: tip the makeup artists who are booked through a salon or agency considering they do not continue the whole fee, only do not tip freelance artists because they go along all of their fee.  But this isn't a reliable mensurate since freelance artists are self-employed small business owners who have expenses an employee would non, such as insurance, marketing costs, travel costs, licensing, and materials.  Some makeup artists tin spend anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 a yr on the makeup and brushes in their kit and the sterile disposable items they go through.  Since there is no industry standard "yes" or "no" for tipping with these kinds of makeup artists, then both freelance and agency artists usually have their fee structured in a way that they're not relying on a tip to consummate their fee, so a tip isn't necessary.  But some people are more comfy tipping anyone in the beauty/service industry, and if yous're ane of these people, then feel free to tip your makeup creative person.  They won't turn it down and they'll definitely exist appreciative of it, while not expecting it.  A expert rule of thumb on tipping makeup artists in this category is: "never expected, always appreciated."

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If you don't desire to tip your makeup artist at a headshot session, here are some kind things you can do for them that they would definitely capeesh even more than a tip:

  • Come ready for them. Follow their instructions to ready for your session, which usually involves coming with a clean, makeup-free confront.
  • Communicate with them. Be honest virtually what you desire and don't desire earlier they get-go the application, then trust them while they apply makeup, then requite them honest feedback later then they can make changes before you get in front end of the photographic camera.  If yous're happy with the makeup, speak up and tell them you lot like information technology.  If you're unhappy with it, speak up likewise, so they take a gamble to conform what they did to your liking.
  • Don't hold a mirror to watch what they exercise. Again, you lot must trust them to heed during the consultation and use their skills to apply makeup, without babysitting what they're doing.  A mirror in your hand also gets in their way and slows down the process.  If you accept any questions, experience costless to ask, and the makeup artist will respond.
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  • Give them a positive review. If the makeup artist has a listing on Google, Yelp, or Facebook, give them a positive review, or offer to write a testimonial for their website.  Follow them on Instagram if they take an account.  More than follows on social media means good marketing for them.
  • Refer the makeup creative person to your friends and colleagues, so they can continue their awesome work.

If you're gear up to book a headshot session in our Chicago studio with a makeup artist, exercise that here!