Makeup artist contracts: what to include

"We talked about it over DM, it should be fine" is how most bad wedding-day surprises start. A client remembers the conversation differently than you do, a start time shifts and nobody agreed who's responsible for the delay, or a booking gets cancelled the week of and there's nothing in writing to point to. None of that is really about dishonest clients. It's about two people relying on memory of a conversation instead of a document both sides can actually look back at.

A contract doesn't need to be intimidating or lawyer-drafted. It needs to cover the handful of situations that actually happen in this business, clearly enough that neither side has to guess.

The basics: who, what, when, where

Sounds obvious, but this is where vague DMs cause real problems. Spell out:

• Client's full name and contact info
• Event date, and the exact ready-by time (not "morning of")
• Full service location address, including where to park or check in on-site
• Exactly which services are included (bride only? bridesmaids? touch-up kit left behind?)

Payment terms and deposit

This should state the total price, the deposit amount and when it's due, and when the remaining balance is due (ideally before the event, not on the day: chasing a client for payment while you're also doing their makeup is a bad position to be in). Say explicitly whether the deposit is refundable, and under what conditions. Vague deposit language is one of the most common sources of a bad review, not because artists are unfair, but because the client never actually agreed to the specific terms in the first place.

Cancellation and rescheduling policy

This is the clause that protects the day itself, not just the money. A wedding date is exclusive. Once it's held, every other inquiry for that date gets turned away. A simple, fair structure:

Adjust the windows to your own business, but have the number written down somewhere both of you signed, not negotiated fresh every time it comes up. More on structuring deposits and cancellation windows here.

Travel fees

If you charge for travel beyond a certain radius, state the radius, the rate, and how it's calculated (flat fee vs. per-mile). Adding this after the fact, once a client already assumed the quoted price was final, is an awkward conversation you can avoid entirely by putting it in writing up front.

Liability and allergy disclosure

A short clause where the client confirms they've disclosed any known allergies or skin sensitivities, and that you're not liable for a reaction to a disclosed-safe product used correctly. This isn't about avoiding responsibility for real mistakes. It's about having a clear record of what was actually disclosed, which protects both sides if something does happen.

Photo and image usage consent

If you plan to post the finished look on your portfolio or Instagram, get explicit consent in writing, not an assumption. Some clients are completely fine with it; others (particularly for private or religious ceremonies) are not, and finding that out after you've already posted is a bad way to find out.

What happens if the timeline runs long

Wedding mornings run late constantly. It's rarely anyone's fault, but it affects your next booking if you have one same-day. A simple clause noting that services are based on the agreed start time, and that a late start due to circumstances outside your control may affect the scope of what can be completed, sets expectations before it becomes a tense in-person conversation.

Signed by both sides, not just discussed

None of the above matters much if it's never actually signed. A contract that lives in a group text isn't a contract either side can point back to with confidence. It needs to be a document both people explicitly agreed to, which is also, not coincidentally, the difference between "we talked about this" and something you can actually stand behind if a dispute ever comes up.