Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get pricing information for bridal makeup & hair services?
Every bride has different needs. You can message us to put together a customized quote for you.
Can You Give Me a Quote For Makeup Services?
Of course! Please fill out this form so that we may quote accurately.
Do you offer on- location services for special events or just weddings?
Yes, we offer hair and makeup services for any special event you have! We will come to your location any day of the week.
What type of makeup do you use?
We carry a variety of pro and high-end luxury brands. All of the products in our kit are paraben-free,hypo-allergenic, and are suitable for sensitive skin. I
f you have a specific allergy, please do let us know so that we can ensure the best experience possible for you on the day of the event.
Do you offer discounts?
We do not offer any discounts. Sometimes we will run limited time promotions such as a percentage off with a signed contract and deposit, but these are once in a while and we will let you know if we are running a promo.
Do you offer group discounts?
No. We do not offer any discounts on groups.
How do I know your artists and stylists are qualified?
All of our artists are professionally trained, licensed, and experienced makeup artists and hairstylists. All artists on our Team have been handpicked by Kat personally.
What is your cancellation policy for makeup trials?
For on-location services, we ask that you give us a minimum of 48 hours for any cancellations. If your trial is at Kat’s home studio, please give us 48 hours notice for any cancellations or a fee of $50 CAD will apply. For on-location contracts, all deposits and retainers are non-refundable despite any cancellations.
If you are within 30 days of your wedding date, the balance due must also be paid. No refunds will be honored.
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Who qualifies as an attendant when it comes to your rates?
Attendants are anyone besides the bride. Bridesmaids, mother of the bride, aunts, grandmas, future in-laws, and even guests of the wedding wanting services. Whomever needs makeup service for your wedding day, we'd love to help.
What do you charge for destination weddings?
Each wedding is different. We will be happy to give you a custom quote once we know all your details. Schedule a Complimentary Phone Call or Get a Quote. For all destination weddings, due to safety concerns, we will require an in-person meeting and a makeup trial.
Can I work with you from long distance?
Of course! We work with a lot of clients from outside of the Toronto area and even abroad. Everything can easily be done via email, phone, or Zoom!
Do I need to come into the studio to do a contract?
It is not necessary to come into the studio to do a contract; we can do everything via phone, email, and DocuSign. But if you feel more comfortable meeting in person,
we will be happy to accommodate.
Do you have a minimum for on- location services?
Yes, we do have a minimum for all of our on-location services of the bride plus four people or $1,200 in services. For the high season (June-November), we require a bride plus seven minimum.
What if I can't meet the minimum? Do you offer just hair and makeup for the bride?
We do offer a bridal package for brides only. No problem. However, it still requires a minimum monetary amount for us to travel on-location. If you can’t find guests to fill the "bridesmaid" spots, consider asking a special guest! They love to get their makeup done too!
May we use a hair stylist or makeup artist from another service provider for other members of the wedding party?
Yes, we don’t require you to book our team for both services. You can book us for just makeup, just hair, or both. However, we prefer not to work with other hair and makeup vendors if at all possible. We want your look to be cohesive and consistent with the rest of your bridal party for photographs.
How soon do I need to book my wedding makeup and hair?
We can’t hold a date without a contract and deposit. The sooner you know your date, the better. Kat personally books 2 years in advance and takes a very limited amount of weddings per year. She also does a best-fit phone call to see if you're a good fit.
The team books up to 24 months out and goes quickly.
Once you have secured a venue and date, we advise that you should book hair and makeup right after. We have great photographer recommendations as well, just ask us!
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Do you offer makeup for engagement pictures?
Yes, absolutely! Please Note: Saturday appointments are usually not available during the high season (June-November) due to our on-location wedding services. Let us know and we will do our best to work with your schedule.
Do you offer makeup for boudoir photos?
Yes, absolutely! Please Note: Saturday appointments are usually not available during the high season (June-November) due to our on-location wedding services. Let us know and we will do our best to work with your schedule.
Do you offer makeup for rehearsal dinner?
Yes, absolutely! Availability may be limited, as we have other weddings on the date of your rehearsal. Please reach out as soon as you're ready to book this service and we'll do our best to accommodate you (and your party)!
Where do the makeup and hair trials & in studio appointments take place? And when are they available?
All of our trials & in-studio appointments take place at our studio located in Scarborough at Lawrence and Scarborough Golf Club Rd. There is plenty of non-permit street parking available and we're located a few steps away from local TTC bus transit.
What days can I schedule a makeup trial/preview?
Trials are available Tuesday-Thursday from 9 AM - 12 PM, Fridays from 9 AM – 5 PM and “First Sundays” of the month from 9 AM – 12 PM. We are closed on Mondays and only available for weddings & makeup classes on Saturdays and Sundays.
What if I am unable to make my scheduled trial appointment? Can we reschedule? What is the cost?
Things happen, we understand. We request that you give us 24 hour notice when canceling or rescheduling. If you cancel more than twice, we will request a deposit to secure your services, which we can apply towards your service after completion.
Are trials included in the makeup price for the bride?
Trials are included in the package pricing listed on our brochure.
How Long Do Makeup Trials Take?
Makeup previews are typically 60-90 minutes long and include a personalized consultation with your makeup artist & hairstylist. We are customizing your entire look.
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How long do Hair Trials Take?
Hair previews usually take 60-90 minutes long and include a full consultation with your hairstylist.
How many looks do I get in a trial?
A preview usually consists of trying one desired look or style and a variation of that look.
If a completely different style/look is desired beyond that, we suggest booking another preview. We do not require a preview for a booking, but we do strongly recommend them to you.
When do you recommend getting a trial done?
Trials can be done either before or after finalizing a booking. We do like to book out as far as possible and then a second trial (at an additional cost) closer to your wedding date in case
you want to make any last-minute changes.
What is the purpose of a trial? Is it required?
The purpose of the trial is for you, the bride, to meet your selected artist/stylist and work with them to find a look that you love for your wedding day. Even if you haven’t nailed down your look, it's a good time to discuss looks and styles you like and do not like.
Can I do a makeup trial before booking?
Absolutely! If you prefer to do a makeup or hair trial before booking, we suggest coming in as soon as you’re ready to select an artist/stylist for your wedding, especially since we do not hold dates without a signed contract.
What should I bring to my trial?
We suggest you bring a picture of your dress, makeup styles that inspire you, and makeup you don’t like. Also, bring your daily makeup bag of colors and products so that we may see the colors and textures you’re used to. For sanitation purposes, please bring your favorite mascara to your makeup trial. Or if you wish, you can buy a brand new mascara at the appointment that you can take home to keep.
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What are overtime charges & when are they incurred?
Overtime charges come into effect when the artist/stylist is not done with your bridal party at the contracted “Service End Time” through no fault to the artist/stylist or the amount of time scheduled for them by our staff.
We allot plenty of time for them to do your party. These charges will be incurred if the end time is exceeded at the fault of the client & their guests. For example, if people aren’t ready when our team gets there, if there isn’t a steady flow of people ready (with mascara in hand) to have their makeup/hair done, or if additional people or services are added on the day of. Since there are instances where our artists need to do another wedding on the same day, running late may result in them being late to another wedding.
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What if I pay for someone (an attendant) on my contract and they back out of services for my wedding day?
If someone backs out of services that you have already paid a retainer on, we're not able to refund the retainer portion. If you are more than 30 days out from the wedding day, we will take the portion of their services out of the balance due. Within 30 days, you will still be responsible to pay the full balance due. If someone backs out of services, ask a friend or other family member to take their spot.
What if I don’t want lashes is the price different?
Lashes are included in the price for the bride. If you prefer not to wear lashes, the price is the same.
Do I have to pay you in one sum or can my maids and moms pay individually?
We will send you an invoice to pay online in one lump sum. We will also add gratuities and taxes as well.
Are you going to stay until after the ceremony in case I cry?
Your time is noted in your wedding contract. If you would like us to stay until after the ceremony, we can add that service at an additional fee. No problem. Or you can purchase touch-up products for peace of mind (and to take with you on your
honeymoon).
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How long have you been doing makeup/hair?
Kat has been a professional makeup artist since 2013. Kat’s team is hand-selected by her and have been in the industry with a minimum of 5 to 20 years, depending on the artist.
Is your kit sanitary? I’m freaked out about germs.
Infection Control, AKA, sanitation is our #1 priority! You'll see our team use freshly cleaned brushes and new disposables on each member of the bridal party. We wash our hands, use sanitizer between clients, and keep our metal tools clean with alcohol spray. Our policy is always to scrape our powders, plus we wipe down all surfaces. We never double-dip. Your safety is our priority. Even before Covid-19.
With Covid-19, we have added additional infection control protocols. If you'd like to see
those protocols, let us know and we can send you a copy of our protocol policies!
How can I review your business?
We love reviews. If you’ve used our services, we prefer our reviews on Google! If for some reason you were not happy with our service, please reach out. We want to be sure we offered you the highest level of service. If we fall short, we need to hear.
What's your worst bridezilla story?
We love our brides. We are selective about who we work with, so we don’t have a problem with brides. We have had a great time so far working with our clients!
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Is your makeup waterproof?
Our makeup is water resistant. We use advanced techniques to keep your makeup longwearing, even in the heat and humidity.
Do you offer facials leading up to my wedding day?
Yes we do! Please schedule an appointment to connect with us and let’s discuss your skin care goals leading up to your wedding day.
What kind of waxing services do you offer?
We do not offer waxing services.
Are you able to do a variety of skin tones?
Absolutely! All of our makeup artists are professionally trained and have a makeup kit that can be used on every skin tone. We take this very seriously. We will never tell you to bring your own foundation (unless you have a specific allergy). We’ve got you covered!
What are the advantages of airbrush over traditional makeup applications?
Airbrush makeup comes in the form of a very thin, liquid-like foundation. Airbrush foundation is a special foundation that is highly colorized & pigmented and is sprayed directly onto your skin using an airbrush pen and compressor. When done correctly, this is a beautiful application technique for special events where you need to look flawless.
Negative reviews of airbrush makeup are usually because someone had airbrush makeup done incorrectly. When done incorrectly, airbrush makeup looks heavy, cakey, and can easily separate with tears. When done correctly, it looks like a second skin that lasts for hours. Book Us Now For Airbrush Makeup!
Are you able to cover blemishes/ skin issues?
The simple answer is yes. However, blemishes are often raised skin, and raised skin texture can still be noticeable even with coverage. We can take out the redness and discoloration, but we can’t really “flatten” or change the texture of the skin.
Are you able to cover tattoos?
Yes! Absolutely. We are experts at tattoo coverage and waterproofing your tattoo coverage. If you have a tattoo that needs to be covered, please email us a couple of photos of the tattoo you would like to cover and we can quote accordingly.
Please note that proper tattoo coverage can take as much time as an entire face, sometimes longer if the area you want to be covered is large. Tattoo coverage starts at $100 and up.
What products should I avoid if I am getting waxed?
Avoid using any products containing AHA’s, beta hydroxy, or benzoyl peroxides for seven days before waxing. Please make sure you always let your esthetician know all the products you use. You should NEVER get waxed the day before your wedding. We recommend tweezing the eyebrows instead. If you want to get waxed before the wedding, please do so at least 2 weeks prior to your wedding date as waxing can sometimes irritate the skin and cause blemishes as well as redness. By getting it done earlier, this allows your skin time to relax and replenish itself before your big day.
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Why is the bride more expensive than everyone else?
The price of the bride includes lashes and airbrush makeup if selecting the luxury package. We take more care and time with the bride because we want to ensure that she is truly happy with her final look, and that all eyes will be on her beauty. In the brides packages also includes a luxury touch-up kit that she gets to have with her on the day of her event.
What if I just want you to service my bridesmaids. Do I still have to pay the higher bridal rate?
Yes. Your party will still be charged for one person at the higher fee to
accommodate your party on-location cost.
Tip: If this is something you’re interested in, take the total price and divide it by the a number of people getting services to get an "even amount" for the bridal party.
Do you travel to do makeup out of country or province?
Yes, we travel and have passports! Please schedule a complimentary phone consultation to discuss options for destination wedding services.
Do you charge a travel fee?
Yes, we charge a travel fee of $0.80 per kilometer for all locations that are more than 15 KM round trip from Kat’s studio in Scarborough, ON.
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Can I bring a friend to my trial?
Due to Covid-19, we are not permitting additional persons other than yourself in our home studio. If you would prefer to have your trial done at your home, we can accommodate and then they are more than able to sit in and watch the magic happen.
Can I bring my child with me to my trial?
While we love kids, they can be distracting during the limited time we have together.
We ask that you enjoy this time for yourself and find a sitter for your precious little ones.
What do I do if I need to change any details (location, time, number of people) for my wedding?
Give us a shout if you need to make any changes. We try our hardest to accommodate you but if details change close to the wedding date we can’t always guarantee flexibility with our artist/stylist schedules. Any changes made within 60 days of the wedding date are not eligible for any refunds.
Who do I call on the day of for any last minute issues?
You can reach us at (905) 929-7892
How long does it take per person for makeup and hair on the wedding day?
30-60 minutes per service. More complex looks could take 45+ minutes. The bride usually takes 45 minutes to an hour. With Covid-19 protocols, add another 15 minutes for infection control per person. For example, a party of 6 would need 5 hours
Is there anything I need the day of the wedding?
On the wedding day, your makeup artist and hairstylists will bring everything they need to service you at your location. The only thing we need is access to an electrical outlet.
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Should I make a schedule for my group for the day of the wedding?
If you wish. If your crowd needs wrangling we suggest downloading a hair and makeup timeline. As your artist, we create one of our own which is sent to you prior to your big day.
How should my girls and I prepare for the day of?
Everyone should come with a clean face and clean, dry hair. For makeup applications, we ask that everyone provide their own mascara for sanitary reasons.
What mascara do you recommend?
We suggest that everyone use waterproof mascara in black. We offer water proof mascaras for purchase just in case anyone forgets theirs.
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Are lashes included in my services?
Lashes are only included in the price of the bride.
For attendants, lashes are an additional $30-$55.
What should I have with me throughout the wedding day for touch- ups?
For touch-ups, we recommend purchasing a nude lip color of your choice. While the makeup we do is long-wearing, you can’t fight mother nature. We suggest purchasing out luxury touch up kit, especially for the warmer weather! You can also purchase your entire wedding day look so you can take it on your honeymoon.
What if I want to purchase my lip color for my wedding day?
If you would like to purchase your lip colors for your wedding day, let us know and we will bring another tube of it with us. If you wish, order it in advance, please send us an email at contact@katmilligan.com . Note: Please be sure to order at least 14 days prior to your wedding day, so you have it on the day.
Can my bridesmaids use your makeup if they’re not using your services?
We respectfully ask that no one is allowed to touch or use anything in our kit due to infection control protocols and for liability reasons. Thank you for understanding.
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Why do you request that everyone bring their own mascara?
Using mascara right out of the tube looks better! Disposable applicators are not our favorite but it's not proper infection control to share mascaras. To be 100% sanitary, we request anyone receiving services to purchase their favorite mascara in waterproof black and have a new tube for us on your wedding day.
You can also buy the Mascara from us for $30. You can order online via email or pay your artist directly on the day of the wedding if desired. Cash or interac e-transfer only please.
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How can I be assured that my booked artist will show up on my wedding day?
Upon signing the contract, we guarantee that our artist/stylist will be at your wedding. If there is an extreme emergency, we will send another member of the Kat Milligan team to perform the services. This hasn’t been an issue thus far, and we will try our absolute hardest to keep it that way. If there is an issue on the wedding day, please call our office immediately at (905) 929-7892.
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Am I responsible for parking fees?
Yes, due to the amount of equipment our team must bring our clients are responsible for any parking fees. For Toronto neighborhood locations, please have parking permits ready for your artist/stylist if they are necessary for your area.
What if I am dissatisfied with my makeup?
Oh no! We hate to hear that. Honesty is the best policy. If at any time you’re unhappy with your trial, speak up! It won’t hurt our feelings. We will work out a solution to find a look you love. This is your wedding day, we want you to love it!
How much is my wedding makeup deposit/retainer?
60% of total contracted services. Balance is due 30 days prior to your wedding day.
Is my deposit/retainer refundable?
No. Your deposit/retainer is non-refundable in the event you decide to cancel.
What type of payment methods do you accept?
All services are paid via online invoice. We accept major credit cards and interac E-transfers from your bank account. Please let us know in which method you would like to pay.
At what point do you need an assistant?
Assistants are not included in the initial per person rates. Assistants are an additional $100/hour and are assigned one to two weeks prior to the wedding day. We typically suggest having an assistant for parties of 8-10 (or more) people. Assistants are used for two reasons: to decrease time on the day of, and to support your artist/stylist with a large party.
If you have more than 8- 10 people, a limited time frame, or an early “ready by” time, then we typically suggest adding an assistant to your contract. Think of your assistant makeup artist as “insurance” on the day of for large parties.
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Is that mascara waterproof?
We often use waterproof mascara. However, since mascara is something we like to use fresh out of the tube, we request you bring a new tube of your favorite mascara so we can apply straight from the tube.
Can you do eyes only for my bridesmaids?
We can do only your eye makeup, but we don't offer partial face rates. The attendant rate would still apply to anyone getting makeup services.
How do I remove my false lashes?
Using a soft cotton pad, please moisturize the pad with micellar water. Put the cotton pad on your closed eye, leave it for a few seconds and gently swipe downward. The micellar water will loosen the lashes so that you can gently pull them free from your eye.
Can you get rid of my wrinkles/pores/freckles completely?
We can’t get rid of wrinkles but we do a luxury skin prep service for all clients using luxury skin care preparation. This skin prep system reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, pores, and dehydration in the skin. It's made for sensitive skin and works for all skin types. We'll also help you choose makeup colors and textures to keep you looking fresh and radiant. Ageless beauty is our specialty
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Can you do men’s grooming?
Absolutely! Email us if this is a service you are interested in and we can provide a customized quote.
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Why are you so much more expensive than others?
We are a full-service bridal beauty team with over 10 years of wedding experience and over 5,000 weddings under our belt. We take our jobs seriously and when you're happy, it gives us life! We will never cancel on you, ghost you, or take your money and disappear. Sadly, the beauty industry has been overrun with fly-by-night makeup artists who cancel on brides at the last minute. We’re licensed with a professional education, and we put your safety first. We're ethical and run our business with the utmost integrity so you can enjoy one of the happiest days of your life. See our Google Reviews for real testimonials from our past clients!
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Can you make me look 20 years younger?It’s a makeup brush, not a magic wand, however, we do use techniques and products to help you look fresh, radiant and youthful.
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Can I bring you home with me?
Sure. Can I have my own suite and endless amounts of snacks and breakfast in bed? :-)
C O V I D F A Q
Are you vaccinated?
Sanitation, or as we call it in the beauty industry, "infection control", is our #1 priority! We believe that being vaccinated is part of basic infection control when working with the public. We are fully vaccinated and follow all local health guidelines in order to protect us, you and your party!
Will you wear a mask? Do I need to wear a mask?
As part of our infection control guidelines, we wear a mask at all times and in some cases a face shield. We know that you have loved ones who could be at high risk and your health and safety is our top priority. At no time during the service will we remove our masks unless socially distanced safely from people in order to hydrate ourselves. You will be required to wear a mask until we begin your makeup services. If this is a problem, seek out another vendor.
How will we need to set up the room?
As part of our infection control guidelines, we will need access to a private room, or separate area where social distancing is at least 6 metres apart, preferably where there are no other people around. This keeps everyone safe and healthy. You'll also get a few quiet moments as well to completely enjoy your service. We can discuss options and what that looks like closer to your date.
Will I need to bring my own makeup?
As part of our infection control guidelines, we scrape our products and never dip into the actual product. If you feel more comfortable using your own products, we understand and can accommodate you.
What happens if we go into another lockdown?
If we're not able to perform services due to the pandemic, your contract lays out specific procedures for rescheduling your wedding date or using your credit for makeup classes. The contract protects you and our team. Please email/call for more detailed info.
What if you get sick and need to cancel?
All of our KM Artists are highly trained by Kat personally. If an artist gets sick with Covid and can't perform your wedding, we will send another artist in their place. We test regularly despite being vaccinated and boosted, for peace of mind.
What if someone from the party tests positive?
If someone tests positive from your bridal party, we will refuse services for that person. You're able to substitute another person for makeup in their place. There will be no refunds for attendants who don't get services.
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What happens if someone in my party tests positive after the event?
Please let us know as soon as possible so we can put safety protocols in place and do additional testing. We will not knowingly perform services on anyone infected, but also ask that everyone receiving services would disclose if they test positive within 10 days after services.
Why is there extra time added to my timeline?
To practice good infection control, and for the safety of your wedding party, we need additional time to do extra cleaning between clients. We require each workspace to be sanitary, which adds 5-10 minutes to each service for peace of mind.
We will help you navigate the timeline for a stress-free event.