FAQs

Look beyond beautiful Instagram photos when choosing a wedding hair and makeup artist in Melbourne. Review examples of real clients, read recent reviews and look for proven bridal experience. A skilled bridal artist should understand strict wedding day timelines, photography, different skin types and hair textures, and how to create styles for clients of all ages. They should also listen carefully, adapt the look to suit each person and remain calm if plans change.

Magical Makeovers has specialised in Melbourne bridal hair and makeup since 1994. Our professional hairstylists and makeup artists are carefully selected based on their experience, portfolios, training and bridal expertise.

Because we have a large team, we can match you with an artist whose skills and style suit the look you want to achieve, while also considering your location, wedding party size and timing requirements.

Bridal hair and makeup continually evolves, so it’s worth looking at an artist’s current portfolio, not simply how many years they have worked in the industry.

Our team includes professional bridal hairstylists and makeup artists with different areas of expertise. Many undertake ongoing professional education and industry work, while our selection process considers current portfolios, experience and technical ability.

Whether you love soft natural makeup, modern glamour, Hollywood waves, textured buns, sleek styling or an intricate upstyle, send us your inspiration images and we can help match you with an artist suited to the look you’re after.

Ask how long they have worked specifically in weddings, how frequently they service bridal parties and how many people they can complete within a set timeframe. An experienced wedding hair and makeup artist should provide realistic service times and confidently plan the getting ready schedule.

Many of our artists come to us through recommendations from trusted peers within the wedding and beauty industries. Only a select few are invited to join the Magical Makeovers team after extensive research, portfolio assessment and practical testing. We consider technical ability, speed, reliability, professionalism and personality. Our artists must be talented, kind, calm and easygoing on a wedding morning.

Our Silver, Gold and Platinum packages clearly identify different levels of experience, speed and styling complexity. We have also collectively received more than 1,500 client reviews across Google, Easy Weddings, ABIA, Facebook, True Bride and other platforms.

Choosing Magical Makeovers instead of an individual artist gives you greater choice, personal matching and the security of an established Melbourne bridal hair and makeup agency, with a large team of carefully vetted professionals supporting your booking.

Our large team allows us to create a tailored solution based on your styling needs, location, personality, lifestyle, wedding party size and budget. We can coordinate multiple artists for larger bridal parties and access other experienced team members if an unexpected emergency occurs.

Many of our artists have worked with Magical Makeovers for more than a decade and have a proven history of thrilled clients. They are not simply artists placed together for the day. They are friends who know one another, work well as a team and naturally step in to support and help each other. This creates a calmer, more enjoyable getting ready experience for everyone.

We take great care in matching each client with the right artist or team. These matches are often so personal that many clients and artists remain friends long after the wedding day.

As early as you can, particularly for popular Friday and Saturday wedding dates.

Having a large team gives Magical Makeovers considerably more availability than an individual artist, but our most popular artists and peak dates can still book well ahead.

If your wedding is approaching, it is always worth asking. Because Magical Makeovers has a large team, we may still have a suitable artist available. Occasionally, a wedding postponement or date change also creates an unexpected opening, allowing us to accommodate a booking surprisingly close to the wedding day.

Contact us as soon as possible. Magical Makeovers may be able to help with last-minute wedding hair and makeup cancellations in Melbourne.

One of the advantages of having a large team of professional hairstylists and makeup artists across Melbourne is that we may be able to locate someone available at short notice, even when another supplier has unexpectedly cancelled.

Tell us your wedding date, getting-ready location, number of people requiring hair and/or makeup and the time everyone needs to be ready. We’ll quickly check our team to see whether someone can help.

Even if your wedding is only days away, it’s worth contacting us.

Yes, bride-only bookings can be available depending upon the date, location and artist availability.

Peak Fridays and Saturdays can have minimum booking requirements because our artists reserve significant portions of those days for weddings, but please ask us. Smaller bookings are generally easier to accommodate midweek and during quieter periods.

Minimums can apply on peak wedding dates, particularly Fridays and Saturdays, and where significant travel is involved.

Rather than having one rule for every wedding, we consider your date, location, services required and available artists. Send us your details and we’ll let you know what options are available.

Absolutely. Large bridal parties are one of the areas where having a large team really helps.

We can allocate multiple hairstylists and makeup artists so services can take place simultaneously, rather than requiring everyone to start at an unreasonable hour.

Once we know your numbers and required finish time, we’ll calculate how many artists are needed and prepare an appropriate wedding-morning schedule.

A trial isn’t compulsory, but we strongly recommend one for the bride.

It’s an opportunity to meet your allocated artist, discuss your ideas, experiment with your chosen look and make adjustments well before the wedding day.

Our artists will give you professional advice, but they won’t dictate how you should look. We want you to look beautiful and still feel like yourself.

Your trial is dedicated time to work with your artist to develop your wedding-day look.

Makeup trials can take up to approximately 1.5 hours and hair trials up to approximately 2 hours. Bring inspiration photographs if you have them, including looks from our website, social media or elsewhere.

If you have no idea what you want, that’s completely fine too! Your artist can recommend options based on your features, hair, dress, wedding style and personal preferences.

We recommend arranging your bridal hair and makeup trial sooner rather than later, ideally no later than six months before your wedding. Your holding fee reserves the wedding date, but it does not lock in a particular makeup artist or hairstylist. If you are especially keen to work with a certain artist, having your trial earlier allows you to confirm that they are the right match and secure them for your wedding day by paying their artist deposit.

An earlier trial also gives your artist time to recommend a suitable hair and skincare maintenance routine, helping you prepare your hair and skin so they are in the best possible condition for the wedding.

Weekend trials are sometimes available, although Saturday mornings are primarily reserved for weddings and emergency wedding coverage.

For makeup, arrive with a clean face and light moisturiser where possible. Wearing a light or neutral-coloured top can also make it easier to visualise the overall bridal look.

For hairstyling, hair should generally be clean and completely dry unless your stylist advises otherwise.

Bring your veil, hair accessories or extensions if you already have them, together with any inspiration photographs you’d like to discuss.

Tell us! That’s exactly what trials are for.

Sometimes a small adjustment to colour, coverage, lashes, hair volume, curl, texture or styling can completely change how you feel about a look.

We encourage honest feedback. If you have concerns following your trial, contact the Magical Makeovers office within the review period provided with your booking so we can discuss the best solution with you.

Yes. Magical Makeovers provides mobile bridal hair and makeup throughout metropolitan Melbourne and many regional Victorian locations.

On your wedding day, our artists can come to your home, hotel, Airbnb or other getting ready location, allowing everyone to relax and prepare together without travelling between appointments.

Travel fees may apply depending on the location and the artist or artists allocated to your booking. Higher travel costs, and occasionally overnight accommodation, may be required for some regional Victorian locations. Any applicable travel charges will be confirmed with you before booking.

Most wedding hair or makeup services take approximately 45 minutes per person. The total preparation time will depend on the number of people, services required, hairstyle complexity and the artists allocated.

For example, four hairstyles and four makeup applications will take approximately three hours when one hairstylist and one makeup artist work simultaneously.

We plan your schedule by working backwards from the time your photographer requires everyone to be ready. For larger bridal parties, we can allocate additional artists so several services can take place at the same time, reducing the overall preparation time.

Wedding hair and makeup is usually completed approximately two hours before the ceremony. This generally allows time to get dressed, take photographs and travel to the ceremony without feeling rushed. Additional time may be needed for a longer journey, reveal photos or other planned moments before the ceremony.

Your photographer or wedding planner may provide a specific time for everyone to be ready. In many cases, the photographer arrives after hair and makeup has been completed to capture getting ready photographs in bridal robes with family and the wedding party before everyone gets dressed.

Every wedding is different, so we plan the hair and makeup schedule around your photography plans, travel time and individual requirements.

Yes. Magical Makeovers offers both conventional makeup application and airbrush makeup.

Both can create beautiful, long-lasting, camera-ready results. The most suitable choice depends upon your skin, preferred finish and individual needs, and your artist can discuss the options with you.

Yes. False lashes can be added to your bridal makeup if desired.

Your makeup artist will help select a lash style that complements your eye shape, natural lashes and overall makeup look. Options include individual lashes, clusters, half strips and full strips, ranging from soft and natural to fuller and more defined.

Yes. Our Gold and Platinum bridal hairstylists regularly incorporate hair extensions into wedding hairstyles to add length, volume or fullness.

Good quality human hair extensions are usually recommended because they can be curled, styled and blended more naturally with your own hair. If you are unsure which type, colour or amount to purchase, please ask us before your trial. Selected hairstylists may also offer extension hire if you prefer not to purchase your own.

Absolutely.

We regularly look after bridesmaids, mothers of the couple and other family members or members of the wedding party including great grandmothers!

Everyone doesn’t need to have identical styling. Hair and makeup can be individually tailored to each person’s age, features, outfit and preferences while still creating a beautifully cohesive wedding party.

Yes. Our makeup artists regularly work with brides, wedding party members and family members of all ages. They understand that skin can change over time, becoming a little drier, more textured or less even in tone.

Fine lines, changes around the eyes and reduced definition in the brows or lips can also influence which products and techniques work best. Our artists adapt the skin preparation, coverage, texture and finish to each individual. Products can be applied in lighter layers to avoid makeup appearing heavy or settling into fine lines, while carefully placed colour and definition can enhance the eyes, cheeks and lips.

The aim is not to make you look like somebody else or cover every sign of age. It is to help you feel comfortable, polished and confident, with makeup that complements your features and photographs beautifully.

With a large professional team, there is no single compulsory makeup brand or kit.

Our makeup artists use a broad selection of professional, high-quality products chosen through their own experience. Products are selected to suit each client’s skin type, colouring, sensitivity, desired coverage and preferred finish, as well as the longevity required for a wedding day.

Our artists work with products from many well-known professional and prestige brands. We could list them all, but it would read like a MECCA or Sephora catalogue!

If you have allergies, sensitivities or particular product preferences, please let us know before your trial so these can be discussed with your artist.

Our mobile wedding hair and makeup team services metropolitan Melbourne and many regional Victorian wedding locations. Our artists travel to your home, hotel, Airbnb, wedding venue or other getting ready location.

Because our artists are based across Melbourne, we may be able to allocate someone closer to your location, helping reduce unnecessary travel time and costs.

Travel fees may apply depending on the distance between the available artist and your getting ready location. For regional or more distant locations, send us the suburb or address and we will provide a quote based on the most suitable available staff for your wedding date. Occasionally, overnight accommodation may also be required for particularly distant locations.

Travel is generally complimentary for getting-ready locations within 25 kilometres of Melbourne CBD.

With artists based throughout metropolitan Melbourne, we aim to allocate suitable staff within or close to your area wherever possible. Occasionally, availability may mean the most suitable artist needs to travel from further away. In these circumstances, a travel fee may apply to cover the additional travel time, distance or tolls.

For locations outside our complimentary travel zone, travel fees are calculated according to the location and the artists available for your wedding date.

Any applicable travel fees will always be explained as part of your quote before you book, so there are no surprises.

Yes. Our mobile artists regularly provide wedding hair and makeup at private homes, hotels, Airbnbs, wedding venues and other getting ready locations.

We require sufficient working space, suitable lighting, access to power and convenient entry for our artists carrying professional equipment. Onsite parking must also be available for each artist, preferably close to the entrance or lift.

If you are getting ready at a hotel or venue, please check its access and parking arrangements before the wedding day.

Yes. Suitable onsite or nearby parking is important, particularly at hotels, Airbnbs, Melbourne CBD locations and other areas with restricted parking.

Our artists arrive carrying professional hair and makeup kits and equipment, so convenient access helps them arrive punctually and keeps the wedding morning schedule running smoothly.

Any paid parking costs are the client’s responsibility. If onsite parking is unavailable and artists must park offsite, please tell us in advance. An additional logistical parking charge may also apply depending on the distance and access involved.

Magical Makeovers isn’t simply a directory of artists.

Our professional hairstylists and makeup artists are carefully selected based on their experience, portfolios, training and bridal expertise. We consider your location, services, preferred style and availability when matching you with an artist.

Our team also includes professionals with experience in fashion, television, film, theatre, editorial and other areas of the beauty industry.

Yes. Once you’ve trialled with and secured your allocated artist, that artist is scheduled to look after you on your wedding day.

The trial isn’t simply about testing a hairstyle or makeup look. It’s also your opportunity to meet and become comfortable with the professional who’ll be looking after you on the day.

This is where being part of a large established team can make an enormous difference.

Illness and genuine emergencies can happen to anyone. Magical Makeovers has maintained an emergency backup system for decades, giving us access to a large network of professional hairstylists and makeup artists should an allocated artist unexpectedly be unable to attend.

No company can guarantee that unforeseen circumstances will never happen, but having a substantial professional team behind your booking provides an important additional layer of security.

Magical Makeovers has specialised in bridal hair and makeup since 1994 and has looked after more than 13,000 weddings.

Our team includes dozens of professional hairstylists and makeup artists, and Magical Makeovers has received numerous wedding-industry awards over many years.

Our experience isn’t simply about creating beautiful hair and makeup. After thousands of wedding mornings, we understand timing, logistics, large bridal parties and the importance of remaining calm when the unexpected happens.

Wedding makeup with Magical Makeovers starts from $125 per person, with hairstyling generally starting from $135 per person, depending on the package selected, hairstyle, hair length, artist level and size of your booking.

We offer three artist levels, Silver, Gold and Platinum, allowing you to choose an option that suits your styling needs, budget and the level of experience you prefer. More complex hairstyles, Hollywood waves, extensions and highly detailed styling may fall into our Gold or Platinum pricing.

For an accurate quote, simply let us know your wedding date, getting-ready location, number of people requiring hair and/or makeup, and your approximate ready-by time.

Bridal hairstyling prices can vary because the same finished look may require very different preparation from one client to another. Hair length, thickness, texture, condition, elasticity, ability to hold a curl and scalp sensitivity can all influence the products, techniques and time required.

Preparation is often the most time-consuming part of a bridal hairstyle. Depending on the hair, soft curls or a less structured style may require less preparation, while Hollywood waves, intricate upstyles, extension work and complex bridal styling generally require more time and care.

Our pricing therefore reflects the hairstyle, hair length, preparation, complexity and time involved, rather than charging every client exactly the same amount.

We don’t believe in arbitrarily increasing a service price simply because the word “bride” is attached to it.

Pricing reflects the service, time, styling requirements and circumstances of the booking.

A bride-only booking may naturally be priced differently where substantially more dedicated time is reserved or minimum booking requirements apply, but our pricing is based on what is involved rather than simply applying a “bride tax”.

Contact Magical Makeovers head office and let us know that you would like to proceed with an artist allocation and trial. We will email you to confirm your wedding date, number of clients, getting ready location and approximate required finish time.

A $50 Security/Holding Fee initially holds your wedding date while we arrange your artist allocation and trial. This fee holds the date but does not secure a particular artist or hairstylist.

Your artist will be carefully selected according to your inspiration images, styling requirements, location, personal preferences, availability and any particular artist you have requested. Once allocated, the artist will contact you directly to arrange a suitable trial date. Direct communication makes it easier for you and the artist to compare availability without messages passing backwards and forwards through head office.

Once you are happy with your allocated artist, an artist deposit is paid directly to them to secure their services for your wedding day. The artist will confirm the deposit amount, which may vary according to the size of the booking and popularity of the wedding date.

The remaining balance is paid directly to your artist, usually no later than one week before the wedding.