What brands do you use?
I like to say I use ‘what works’. Every brand has its weaknesses and I am skeptical when I see a makeup artist use only one brand. Most of my core products are from Mary Kay, and Laura uses some MAC, but depending on what’s needed we'll also use specific products from other pro and consumer brands.
Here’s how I know I’m using products that work:
When looking for a new product for my makeup kit I first check it against www.beautypedia.com - an online database of over 45,000 products with reviews and ratings by the 'Cosmetics Cop' (Paula Begoun) and her dedicated research team. I trust their reviews over consumer reviews as they rate products based on their ingredients (not hype or the advertiser’s claims) and check for irritancy, problem ingredients, how well it lasts/wears, the product's finish etc, and aim to be unbiased, not swayed by brand or price tag.
I rely on science-based research when I choose skin and makeup products - you should too! I also encourage the artists in my Lillybeth makeup team to also use only products that rate well on Beautypedia (if listed), and/or don’t include common irritants.
Please do not choose your artist based on the products they use. Judge them by the finished look and style of their work. Many brands can be used to create professional makeup - it doesn’t have to be a brand you’ve seen in a magazine or fashion week. In reality, the skill with which a product is applied is more important than the reputation of the brand who created the product. Trust your makeup artist to use what will look and last best on you.
If I book you for my makeup, is it actually you who will do my makeup?
YES! I’m super keen to be totally clear about the makeup artist you are booking. Due to the demand for quality wedding makeup, I offer my team of Lillybeth artists to brides on whose wedding dates I am already booked. But by default and for everything else, you get me (Lillybeth). You’ll know if you are booking one of my awesome team, because when I’d tell you I’m unavailable, show you their online profiles to choose from and you’d know the name and work of the artist you are booking.
If you book one of my team, you’ll still deal with me for easy booking, making payments, scheduling a trial-run, expert advice etc.
What if something happens to my makeup artist and they can’t make it on the day?
This is the great thing about booking through Lillybeth - we have a team! So if there is an emergency or unavoidable situation and your artist cannot fulfil your booking, we can switch out your makeup artist so you still get professional makeup. But you’d get to choose between a refund or the replacement artist.
What do you recommend for skin preparation beforehand?
I generally don’t recommend facials. Here’s why.
If you struggle with acne, black heads, enlarged pores, redness or oiliness, I recommend daily use of a BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) exfoliant. BHA exfoliates inside the pore, which no other ingredient can do. If dryness, flaky skin, sun damage or pigmentation is your issue, use an AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) exfoliant instead. When using any exfoliant, be diligent about applying sunscreen daily. If you want the exact products I personally use and recommend, just email me and ask (link at bottom of this page).
In the 7 days before your wedding/occasion:
•Don’t have any facial treatments, i.e. waxing/threading/facials. If you wax/thread, your foundation will adhere differently on that area and look uneven because it appears lighter where hair and/or skin cells have been removed. So, plucking only. (Dermaplaning is not a problem as it affects the whole face evenly)
•Avoid using new skincare products or having facials, as skin irritation and breakouts are common (trust me)!
The day of your makeup appointment:
•Ensure all mascara and eyeliner is removed.
•Come to the makeup chair with a bare face or moisturiser only. Please don’t apply any primer, serum, etc. If your moisturiser has SPF, use only if SPF15 or lower. Do not apply any specific sunscreen on your face.
•Apply sunscreen to chest/shoulders before makeup if planning to use sunscreen on your body (recommended), as makeup may be taken down to the chest area and applying sunscreen on top may remove makeup.
What is your travel charge or mileage rate?
We have stylists based in Tauranga and also Waihi, so it depends on who is serving you and where they're coming from. You'll be quoted $40 travel if your stylist is local to your venue/location.
The travel cost is already included in the rates for face painting, commercial bookings, lessons and workshops.
From Tauranga, travel outside Tauranga is charged at $1 per kilometre, both ways. So to Te Puke it’s approximately $50, Pukehina is $110, Waihi Beach is $110, Rotorua is $160 and Cambridge is $170. From Waihi, Travel to Tauranga is $110.
What time would you recommend we start on make up? How long does it take to do a full face + lashes?
Though I can make up a person in 15 minutes when pressed, when scheduling in your booking I allow about 40 minutes for each person’s makeup or hair. For example, for four people I allow 3 hours, five people is 4 hours, six people 5 hours, etc. If everyone in the bridal party is having false lashes applied I’ll allow an extra half hour or so. This is very realistic for one artist working alone.
Hair is best done in the same time slot as makeup. Any extras needing professional makeup can be slotted into the schedule and I'll just arrive as early as needed. I recommend finishing makeup at least an hour before your ceremony, more of course if you have far to travel or are having your main photo session before the ceremony.
Can we add in more people who might also want to have professional makeup on the day?
It’s common for mothers or sisters to love what they see and wish to be included last-minute in the professional makeup on the day!
If you have mothers or family or friends who may be getting ready with you, ask them now whether they’d like to be pampered with professional makeup on your special day. Yes, we are often able to slot another person in, but having them decide in advance makes timing on the day much smoother and ensures your makeup artist can cater for everyone.
Is it possible for me to come to you for the make up trial?
If you are booking your hair with my stylist Laura, yes! Laura has a home-based salon in early Papamoa, so you can meet us for your trial-runs there. Or if booking makeup with Amy, you can go to her home in The Lakes suburb.
However, if you're booking just myself and/or Sandy, we need to come to you, or we may be able to hire a private, air-conditioned room near Bayfair Mall, for just $10 extra charged to you. Or you could ask a friend or family member if we can use their home.
When should I book a trial-run? What’s the timeline for this?
Earlier: Some brides book a trial very early - months before the wedding - as this gives them peace of mind that it is 'sorted' and they can tick it off their list. If you live locally or will be visiting Tauranga in the months/years before your day, you have the option of an early trial to meet your makeup artist in person before paying a deposit to confirm your booking, in case you’re still not fully confident after browsing this website.
Later: 90% of brides book first to secure their chosen artist, then have their trial later. This is most likely if you are an out-of-town or overseas bride and won’t be in town until just a few weeks or days before the wedding. You might book now, and we’ll just do the trial-run closer, but please consider the conditions around the ‘deposit’, below.
It’s really up to your preference. We take notes and photos of the final look/s so it won’t be forgotten, therefore it doesn’t have to be close to the wedding date if you want it earlier. If you have a choice, any time is fine with us!
At the trial, we record the look we create (on paper and in photos) but even if you change your mind or want some ‘tweaks’ made to the look before the day, that’s no problem. We’ve met, we know what you look like and what will suit you, so if any details change like accessories, skin tone, hair colour, time of wedding etc - we’ll work with you on the day to make sure the makeup is current for you then.
I’ve heard foundations with SPF and certain sunscreens can look white and ghostly on camera. How can I avoid this ‘flash-back‘ look in photography?
It’s not an issue if you have a good photographer, but you can read my responses in a discussion about sunscreens and what looks best under flash photography on a NZ wedding forum here.
What should I bring to my makeup lesson? Do I bring my own makeup?
Makeup Consultations & Mini Makeup Lessons: No. Everything is provided - the brushes, tools and makeup all comes from Lillybeth’s working makeup kit. A consultation is a time to explore and discover your best options, not limited to your current makeup routine.
If you have special requirements and wish to use your own products, e.g. you use only organic or vegan makeup, please mention this when booking our time together.
Makeup Bag Makeovers: Yes. Please bring out the entire contents of your makeup drawer or bag, including skin care. Feel free to just bring the whole drawer to our appointment! For a mini MBM, please bring the top 20 products you use most.
Can I pay online?
Yes! You can pay for any of Lillybeth’s services/products using internet banking (direct credit) or by making a cash deposit at any Kiwibank branch (in NZ Post shops). Please find Lillybeth’s bank account details at the bottom of this page.
Payment via Paypal is also accepted with the customer adding on 3.5% to cover the Paypal fee.
I want to cancel my booking. Can I get my deposit back?
No, the 50% deposit/retainer to secure your booking is non-refundable or transferable, regardless how far in advance a booking is cancelled. This applies to all services including wedding and event makeup, lessons, face painting and commercial bookings, as your artist has allocated in advance the time required to serve you and may have turned away other bookings and opportunities to fulfill your booking.
The only exception on this ‘non-refundable deposit’ policy is when a bride or customer experiences unbearable skin irritation in her trial-run, or an unsuccessful trial-run due to the artist not being a good match for the customer in communication or ability. In these unlikely occurrences, a second trial-run will be offered free of charge to try to resolve the issue encountered in the first. The customer must accept this offer of free second trial and consider the outcome still unsuccessful, for the deposit to be refunded. We are confident we can work around and resolve any issue in a second trial-run. But if the customer considers the re-trial unsuccessful, the deposit will be refunded and the booking cancelled.
No consideration will be given to a refund if the customer does not pursue or accept a re-trial, i.e. cancels or books elsewhere without two trial-runs.
I want to decrease the number of people for my booking. Can I get the deposit I’ve paid for these people back?
As above, the 50% deposit/retainer to secure your booking is non-refundable or transferable, regardless how far in advance a booking is cancelled, as your artist has allocated in advance the time required to serve you and may have turned away other bookings and opportunities to fulfill your larger booking.
However, in the case where you’re taking people out of a makeup booking, ie downsizing the bridal party, removing one person from the booking is allowable without consequence. You will not be required to pay the balance for the 1 person being removed and the deposit amount will be subtracted form the payable balance. However, for the second, third and subsequent people being removed from the booking, the deposit amount will not be refunded or applied to the payable balance.
Can’t find your answer? Email me your question here.
