Not happy with makeup and hair trial - help!!

I completely understand! Especially spending nearly $200. Are you able to also ask the owner if it’s possible to have someone else? I’m glad you met them know that you were not happy about the trial. Is the stylist that cuts your hair the same one who did the trial? If not, is it possible to see what her availability is? I wouldn’t recommend the same person for the trial especially if the soft feedback didn’t work.

I’m in the same boat as you, Melody as I posted some pics from my recent trial. The MUA didn’t listen to any of my directions and also put brownish shades on my eyes and cheeks when I asked for pinks and mauves. She applied too many layers of foundation and powder on my face leaving me looking wrinkled.
Since my MOH is scheduled for hair at this salon and it’s close to the venue, I plan to go back and only have her do my eyes in the right colors. If not, she will have to redo it.
I think some MUAs have their idea of a generic wedding look and that’s what they do.

You are gorgeous in all 3 photos but if you aren't happy than good on you for speaking up. Good luck!

I agree with Rosebud! Stunning in all of your pictures. I like the idea of a softer lip however. But honestly you can’t go wrong with any of these looks.

I think your makeup looks good in the photos. Like you said, the eyeliner color is an easy fix. If there's a specific color you have in mind for your eyes/ lips, I think having a picture would be a good idea to give your MUA some direction on what you want. You could even email it over to the salon to ask if they have those colors (which they should), just to make sure you're all on the same page. Maybe the artist just had a different idea of "pink"?

As for your hair, is your usual stylist available for the wedding? If not, you could ask her what products she uses on your hair and then email that over to the salon to ask that they have those available for your wedding day. Then remind whoever is doing your hair on the day-of to use them as well.

Hopefully you get everything worked out!

I love it and think you look gorgeous 🤷🏻‍♀️ If you like pink colors for your lips maybe find a color you love and bring it to the wedding … I do think she did a good job even if it wasn’t what you wanted.

Eek. You look beautiful even if it isn’t what you wanted. I don’t know why people say sign a contract before you get a trial because you throw away money when you pay the deposit and walk away from an unsatisfactory vendor that has not yet been vetted. And the trial should always be done to your complete satisfaction before you leave the appointment and before a contract is signed and deposit made.



If you are not happy, let them know immediately and be willing to eat the deposit. Get a trial elsewhere and do not leave until you are happy with it and do not sign a contract until you decide you love the trial. Hopefully a different stylist will work out for you.

The main issues I see are the aggressive countouring and the half finished curls on the hair. Everything else looks good to me. You have a slim face. You don't need any countouring, really. When I was a bridesmaid, I told the MUA to slim my face, and I ended up orange.


If you're this unhappy, then you gotta do what you gotta do. For me, I think it helped my stylist to email specific instructions beforehand.

Thank you, everyone for your kind and helpful comments! Unfortunately, I didn't receive the response I was expecting from the salon owner. I asked if she could be the lead on my hair and makeup, instead of my bridesmaids, as I liked the work I'd seen from her. This was her response:

"Thank you for your email. I'm not really sure what to say. It's a really tricky situation. I haven't said anything to (the stylist) yet. I'm so sorry that you didn't love your trial and that it didn't meet or exceed your expectations. I'm worried that I also won't be able to make you happy."

My understanding is that it's normal for brides to give their feedback or to ask for changes. I'm OK with having paid $190 for the trial, but I also did pay a deposit. I would have expected the salon to offer a 2nd trial. I guess I need to look elsewhere...

Everyone has different skill sets. Browse Google or Instagram in your area for stylists whose work you like and schedule a trial with them. Don’t leave until you are happy with their work.

I agree with browsing Instagram for stylists whose work is similar to the look you're going for. That is how I found my MUA. After my makeup trial my MUA called me about 1-2 weeks later to go over pretty much every aspect of the makeup and what I liked vs. wanted to change. (She does this after every bride's makeup trial). I generally liked my makeup but there were definitely things I wanted different. She took notes and then on wedding day executed everything I said. I think that's how every makeup trial should go, but I don't know how many MUAs operate this way.

Third party opinion so take it with a grain of salt, I'm shocked you dislike your makeup so much! You are a bit orange, but otherwise I thought the application itself looked pretty top notch! But all in all, trust yourself. There will be nothing worse than seeing your pictures post wedding and realizing you should've trusted your gut!

* The stylist put nude/beige lip stain on me, which I really didn't like. I asked her for a pink tint which she applied over the brown color. I told her that I like pink and reds on myself, but as it's an outdoor wedding, I don't want a deep red. She told me to try different colors at Sephora and bring my favorite one to the wedding...

That's not a bad idea - Sephora has free returns if you return within 30 days. I like Urban Decay lipsticks if you would like to start from there.

* Why am I orange??? I am olive-skinned, so orange foundation is not a good idea. I showed my fiancé pictures from the trial and he said the makeup I do for myself is much better. It made me feel pretty sad and now I'm worried I won't have nice makeup for my wedding.

Makeup oxidized and turn orange. I have to pick a few shades lighter to accommodate this change. I would go in to Sephora (yup again) and ask them to match you up with the correct shade. Leave it on your face for about 10-15 minutes to see if it is too orange for you.