How to book a mobile beauty pro (hair, makeup, nails)

Top mobile artists are booked 3–6 months out for weekend events, 6–12 months for weddings. For a special occasion, start the conversation the day you set the date. For regular maintenance (blowouts, gel manicures), two weeks ahead is usually enough.

Request 2–3 photos from sessions in the last 60 days, ideally with lighting similar to your event. Instagram grids are curated; DMs and real-time texts are honest. A pro will have no problem sending recent work.

If you're booking a makeup artist, ask for a photo of a client with your skin tone and undertone — color theory matters more than technique.

Mobile artists bring a chair and lighting, but need an outlet, a tall flat surface, and natural light if possible. Eat before they arrive — you'll be seated 45–90 minutes.

For makeup: exfoliate the night before, moisturize the morning of, and skip the SPF with chemical filters (they can interact with foundations). For hair: day-old clean hair holds styles better than same-day washed.

Makeup: 45–75 minutes per face. Hair: 60–90 minutes per head for event styling. Nails: 45 minutes for a classic mani, 75 for a gel set.

Build in a 30-minute buffer before you need to be 'ready.' If you have bridesmaids or a group, add 60 minutes per person — assembly-line beauty is a myth unless you've hired a team.