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Ngoc
Savvy April 2021

Book mua first or trial first

Ngoc, on October 8, 2020 at 5:04 AM Posted in Hair and Makeup 1 12
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We were originally planning to have a wedding in 2022, but due to the uncertainty decided to just do a minimony instead. 2021 is kind of crazy and I’m already running into issues with videographers and photographers being booked out since I started late.... so I’m wondering if I should book my MUA before trialing or do the trial (7 months out) and then book. I’m out of town, which complicates things, but I’m making a trip out there this weekend. The issue that I have about trialing now is that:

1. I accidentally cut my hair short and it won’t be the right length until the wedding for the style I wanted. I can skip the hair trial and just do makeup.
2. I’m also 20 pounds heavier than I want to be on the wedding day.
So, I don’t know if the trial will be useful now. However, I don’t want to risk having this MUA not being available either.
Question: should I book now and trial later (1-2 months before when hair has grown out and weight drops) or should I just go ahead with the trial now?

12 Comments

Latest activity by Victoria, on October 9, 2020 at 2:50 PM
  • Anna
    VIP October 2020
    Anna ·
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    Yeah, being out of town complicates things a bit. I’m using my normal beautician, so things were a bit simpler. I knew I wanted her to do it.
    If you’ve seen this person’s work, or can see their work before booking and feel like you trust them and are worried about them getting booked, then I’d go on and book now, you can do a trial closer to the date. But if you feel you need to see their skills/ability first, then go on and get the trial now. Sure, you can make adjustments later on and say you want this instead
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  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    Most people book their HMUA(s) before the trial. I didn't have my trial until my bridal shower, about 35 days before my wedding.

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  • Kristen
    Master November 2020
    Kristen ·
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    Yeah I booked and put a deposit down for my HMUA before the trial and I believe that is usually how that works so it holds your date. I could at least back out if I wanted to. Book first so they hold your date and pay what you need and then book a trial about a couple of months out. I did. I knew I wanted to work with my HMUA because they are one of the top rated ones and they deal with people of all colors and shades which was important to me but I wanted to give myself time just in case I did not like them to find someone else.

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  • Kimberly
    Expert October 2020
    Kimberly ·
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    Agree with Anna. If you haven’t experienced their skills before a trial will allow you to see if they have the ability to create the types of looks you want later on when your hair grows out and such. Also the trial will help you see how long the hair/makeup will last in case you need touch ups later in the day (like fading lipstick or flat hair curls and need to bring backup supplies.) This would be similar to picking out a wedding cake. Would you trust the baker to bake a tasty cake if you tell them the flavor and not taste a sample ahead of time? If they are a great baker and you’ve had their stuff before there is less risk you won’t like it on your big day.
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  • T
    Super October 2020
    Trisha ·
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    Most Trials Are Done Closer To The Wedding. Mine Will Be Done 1 Week Before.
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  • Meghan
    Master October 2019
    Meghan ·
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    I did trial before booking. I wanted to make sure I liked the persons work before booking them. I would never book a HUMA without a trail first.

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  • Jess
    Devoted May 2021
    Jess ·
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    I did a trial for hair and makeup before booking just because I'm very particular about those things and didn't want to risk booking them without seeing their work first.

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  • M
    Super October 2022
    Michele ·
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    Never book any vendor without getting a trial or sample first.
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  • Ngoc
    Savvy April 2021
    Ngoc ·
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    Thank you so much for all the comments! It sounds like there are some differing opinions here on what should happen first. I'm leaning towards book first and trial later as this HMUA superb reviews and lots of photos of prior clients. I'm in a little bit of a rush on this trip and for the reasons mentioned previously around hair not being long enough that and seeing the comments here, I'm leaning towards book to reserve the date and come back and trial closer to the date, but not too close in case I need to swap last minute. Thanks, everyone!

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  • Michelle
    VIP September 2021
    Michelle ·
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    Do the trial before booking!!! I have to see if you can really do what you say you can and also achieve the look I'm going for; especially with the makeup. I thought I was sold on a MUA based off her portfolio but when she did my face I wasn't in love. It's a little more costly booking a trial prior but it's so worth it. I'd rather pay a little more than be unhappy with my look on the big day because then you have to settle.
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  • Hanna
    VIP June 2019
    Hanna ·
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    I booked my hair and makeup artists several months before I did my trials.
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  • Victoria
    Devoted June 2021
    Victoria ·
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    I decided to do my trials before I booked anyone and I'm totally glad I did! My first hair and makeup trial was a DISASTER, and I was so disappointed because I really liked their work, but I'm totally glad I did book my trail before getting locked into a $2000 contract with these people. All of my MUA/ Stylists were out of the town that I live in but I made the time to go and try these people out and once again I'm glad I did!

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