FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
I reside in the Far North, and also have a base in Ponsonby, where I was born and raised. I am based dually in Kaitaia and Auckland and cover every location in between. I have a studio in Kaitaia and am mobile in Auckland. My team are Auckland & Whangarei based. Travel fees are charged from either Kaitaia or Auckland CBD, depending on which location myself or my team will be travelling to you from.
DO YOU TRAVEL TO LOCATION?
Yes, we travel NZ Wide + Internationally. Let’s chat further about your destination wedding!
HOW SOON SHOULD I MAKE A BOOKING?
WEDDING MAKEUP: I can confirm wedding bookings usually 10 months out from the wedding date. Wedding enquiries are always welcome - most brides first make contact 12 months out.
GENERAL EVENT MAKEUP: I only accept event makeup (special occasion / ball / etc) within 2 months of your event date. I do not accept them any further in advance, as I prioritise wedding bookings over event makeups.
HOW DO I MAKE A BOOKING WITH YOU?
Right here via the Wedding Makeup or Event / Occasion Makeup pages. A non refundable booking fee is required to secure a booking.
IF YOU ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR MY WEDDING, DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER MAKEUP ARTIST I CAN BOOK INSTEAD?
Yes! I have a team of superb artists in the Claudia Louis-Marie Makeup Artist Team that are based in Auckland & Whangarei, so if I am already booked I can arrange for one of them to take the lead for your big day.
WHY IS A BRIDAL CONSULTATION RECOMMEND?
Booking a Bridal Consultation session will ensure that you know and love your makeup prior to your wedding. It is the perfect time to experiment with a look you have in mind opposed to being rushed on the day. Having a Consultation session behind you, ensures you can sit back and relax on your wedding day, knowing you love the look we created.
HOW DOES A BRIDAL CONSULTATION SESSION RUN?
For brides getting married in Northland your trial would be held at my Kaitaia studio, or in Whangarei with my team based there (depending on if you have booked me or my team).
In Auckland I am mobile and don’t hold a studio space, I travel to you for your trial, when I am based down there. If you book with my Auckland team, your trial will be held in their space (you’ll go to them).
You can expect that your Bridal Trial Session will last 90 minutes. When coming to your trial it is really helpful to have researched the style of hair and makeup looks you like. Please bring photos of these looks, plus photos of your Wedding Dress if you can so I can get the best idea of what you are wanting. If you are completely stuck, fear not! I will be happy to offer my opinion and give you ideas. I will go over your ideas and looks you are envisioning for your wedding day. I document the session to use for your wedding day, through notes and photos.
DO YOU WORK WITH ASSISTANTS FOR LARGER EVENTS/WEDDINGS?
Yes. I am able to personally accomodate a maximum of 5 makeups on the day, with a party over 5 requiring an additional artist. If your event requires an extra hand I will arrange an additional artist from my team (when possible). Time restricted weddings or bookings will require an additional artist also.
WHAT TIME SHOULD I BOOK YOUR FOR MY BRIDAL PARTY ON THE DAY?
The best way to figure out what time you'd be looking at booking for is to work backwards. Start with the time you need to leave your getting ready venue by - then take an hour off that for when makeup should be finished by. By letting me know your ceremony time and the time you wish to be ready by, I will be able to create a custom timeline for the Wedding Makeup Booking that fits in with you and your hair stylist + photographer etc.
WHEN SHOULD WE HAVE MY BRIDAL PARTY MAKEUP FINISHED BY?
I always suggest that makeup be finished 1 hour prior to walking out the door. This way you have enough time to get dressed and take photos, but you’re not leaving too big of a gap between the final professional makeup touches and the ceremony. The last hour can go by very quickly so its nice to enjoy this time getting dressed, having bubbles etc. It also alleviates pressure on your hair and makeup team knowing that we aren’t super pressed for time and that once we finish you still have an hour left to finish getting ready.
CAN YOU RECOMMEND A FANTASTIC HAIR STYLIST AND PHOTOGRAPHER FOR MY WEDDING?
Yes! Click here to see the hair stylists and photographers that I highly recommend booking for your wedding
WILL I NEED TO TOUCH UP OR NEED MY OWN LIPSTICK OR POWDER?
I will use water resistant makeup where possible and everything is professionally 'set'. Makeup does require touching up throughout the day or evening to maintain a perfectly fresh look, as we naturally bump and touch our face. It might be nice to carry a lip product, touch up powder, and/or a small bottle of MAC Fix + hydrating spray too. For weddings this is usually essential – we can discuss this prior to your booking and suggest what is best suited to your skin type and tone.
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Photo courtesy of Stephan and Nakita