Frequently Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL QUESTIONS:
Where can I get pricing information for bridal makeup & hair services?
You can contact our office for pricing via phone or email or check our On Location Services page. Please see our "Contact Us" page for more information. For all online/email inquiries please be sure to include the wedding day, service location, number of people for services, and an estimated ready time.
Do you offer on- location services for special events/occasions or only weddings?
Yes, we offer our services for special events and occasions. We will come on location any day of the week. Please inquire with our office for more specifics regarding pricing for your specific event.
What type of makeup do you use?
We use Sonia Roselli cosmetics for our services. Each artist has their own kit as well, which may have products from other professional- quality lines as well. For airbrush we use Sonia Roselli Airbrush Foundation. All Sonia Roselli products are paraben- free and hypo- allergenic, and are suitable for sensitive skin.
Do you offer discounts or sales?
We do not offer any discounts or sales on our on location services. Occasionally, we offer specials on our in- studio appointments. Each of our education classes is offered once a year for a limited time offer in which you receive product with the given class.
How do I know your artists and stylists are qualified?
All of our artists are professionally educated, trained and experienced artists. They have all been handpicked by and trained with Sonia personally. Check out their portfolios and Bios.
What is your cancellation policy?
For appointments we ask that you give us a 24- hour advanced cancellation notice via email or phone. If it is less than 24 hours, we do charge a cancellation fee of $25.
For contracts, all deposits are non-refundable despite any cancellations. If you are within 60 days of the wedding date the balance due must also be paid as well and no refunds will be honored.
Do you offer facials or airbrush tanning?
We no longer offer facials or airbrush tanning services. We do offer facial waxing.
What kind of waxing services do you provide?
We offer facial waxing in our studio for brows, lip and chin.
What should I bring to my brush class/makeup class?
This will depend on which class you are taking. Your reminder email will let you know specifics.
What are the advantages of airbrush over traditional makeup applications?
Although airbrush makeup was originally only well known in the 1930s, as a real life alternative to Photoshop, it has seen a sudden resurgence in popularity due to the advent of High Definition Television (HDTV). Smaller molecules in the airbrush formula make it harder for the skin to actually shine through in photography making the skin appear more flawless.
Most of the time, airbrush makeup comes in the form of a very thin, almost paint-like substance. This substance is highly colorized and is sprayed directly onto the skin of the client.
It allows for precision and beautiful makeup application. In many ways, it is an art in itself. The alcohol content in airbrush makeup tends to be higher allowing the makeup to last between 12-18 hours.
Is your makeup team able to do makeup for a variety of skin tones and for different ethnicities?
The simple answer is yes. All of our makeup artists are professionally trained, and have taken continued education with Sonia herself. Each artist has a kit that can be used on all skin tones as well as different ethnicities. Our products work well with the lightest skin to the darkest skin tone.
Are you able to cover blemishes/ skin issues?
Simple answer is yes. However keep in mind that blemishes are raised skin and raised skin you can't "cover". We can take out the redness and irritation but we can't "flatten" it.
Are you able to cover tattoos?
Yes. But the darker the tattoo the less likely it will be to cover. If you want complete coverage we ask that you get color matched at Sephora or other retailer the week of your wedding. Ask them for Dermablend or other product of your choice for tattoo coverup. We are all experienced in covering tattoos.
What products should I avoid if I am getting waxing?
Avoid using or alert your esthetician if you have been using any products containing AHA's, beta hydroxy, or benzoyl peroxides. All of these products exfoliate the skin, if over exfoliation occurs, sometimes the skin will lift when waxing, which can cause a scab or even scarring. 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 brows, instead.
ON- LOCATION SERVICES & WEDDING QUESTIONS:
Why is the bride more expensive than everyone else?
The price of the bride is more expensive because we spend the most time with the bride. The price also covers travel costs (within 40 miles roundtrip) and includes lashes & airbrush on the décolletage & upper back if desired.
Do you travel? What about destination weddings?
Yes, we travel everywhere from Chicago suburbs to Europe! Our team loves being a part of destination weddings. Please inquire with our office for more specific information regarding our destination wedding.
Do you charge a travel fee?
Yes, we charge a travel of $2.00/mile for all locations that are more than 40 miles roundtrip from either our studio in Rogers Park or the downtown Chicago area. For all destination weddings, we provide a custom quote for travel charges; please inquire with our office.
Can I work with you from long distance?
Of course! We work with a lot of clients outside of the Chicago area and even abroad. Everything can easily been done via email, phone, or fax.
Do I need to come in to 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/or fax.
Who qualifies as an attendant?
Attendants are basically anyone besides the bride. For example, bridesmaids, mother of the bride, aunts, grandmas, and future in- laws. We do offer special, reduced pricing for Junior Bridesmaids (13-16 years old) & flower girls (under 12 years old) for both makeup & hair.
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 +3 for all city locations. For the suburb locations, we have a minimum of the bride + 5.
What if I can't meet the minimum? Do you offer just hair and makeup for the bride?
We have extremely limited availability for hair and makeup for the bride in the city area. Please inquire with our office. For the suburbs, there would also need to be additional people for services as well.
May we use a hair stylist or makeup artist not from your team for other members of the wedding party?
Yes, we do not require you to book us for both services. You can book us for just makeup, just hair, or both.
How soon do I need to book my wedding makeup and hair?
This depends on several factors. If you are booking during our "high" bridal season, April-December, or if you want a specific artist or stylist, we recommend booking as soon as you have your date & venue secured. If you want Sonia personally, we suggest booking her 12-18 months in advance. With that being said, we have availability for "last minute" bookings as well, depending on your needs, so it's never too late to inquire.
Do you offer makeup for Engagement pictures, Rehearsal dinner, Boudoir pictures, Bachelorette parties, etc?
Yes, we offer makeup applications for any type of occasion at our studio. Check out our Makeup Studio Services page. If you are a bride, we try our best to match you with your wedding day artist, but it is not always possible. We suggest checking with us first for a few dates before scheduling your Engagement session. Also, please note Saturday appointments are not available due to our on- location wedding services.
Where do the 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 Roger's Park at 7363 N. Greenview Avenue. There is plenty of non- permit street parking available and it is located a few steps from the Jarvis stop on the El Red Line.
Trials are generally available Tuesday- Thursday from 11-6 pm, Fridays 10 - 4 pm, and "First" Sundays. We are closed on Mondays and only available for on-location weddings on Saturdays.
What if I am unable to make my scheduled trial appointment? Can we reschedule? What is the cost?
See appointment cancellation (above). If you have to reschedule your trial and have not yet booked your artist/stylist we can't guarantee wedding day availability between the reschedules.
Are trials included in the makeup price for the bride?
Trials are not included in the price of the bride's makeup. Trials are a separate service from the day of service. They are typically 60-90 minutes long and include a consultation with your selected artist/stylist and the makeup application and/or hairstyle. There is also time to make tweaks to your look. We do offer our first trials for the bride (not attendants) at a reduced rate. All second or attendant trials are at our full price rate for an in- studio makeup application or hairstyle.
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 the exact look isn't established, it is a good time to discuss looks and styles you do and do not like, so that we can get to know you & your personal aesthetic better. It is also a chance for us to do what we do best and show you our talents, so you are comfortable with your artist/stylist on the wedding day. A trial usually consists of trying one desired look or style and a variation of that. If a completely different style/look is desired beyond that, we suggest booking another trial. We do not require a trial for a booking, but we do recommend them to our brides.
When do you recommend getting a trial done?
Trials can be done either before or after finalizing a booking. If you prefer to do a trial before booking, we suggest coming in as soon as you are ready to select an artist/stylist for your wedding, especially since we do not hold dates without a signed contract. The sooner you come in for a trial the more availability we have for your wedding day needs.
If you book your wedding without a trial first, then we suggest coming in 4- 6 weeks before your wedding day. Please note that we suggest scheduling appointments about a month in advance, particularly with Sonia personally or if you have a limited schedule.
What should I bring to my trial?
To your trial we suggest bringing a picture of your dress. We also suggest bringing pictures of makeup & hair looks/styles that you do and do not like. Sometimes it is also helpful to bring a picture yourself in your "going out" style, so that we can get to know your personal aesthetic and look. We also ask that you bring your own mascara for any makeup trials.
Should I bring photos of what I'd like my makeup to look like?
Yes, to the trial (see above)
What do I do if I need to change any details (location, time, number of people) for my wedding?
We ask that you contact our office to make any contract changes. It is best to know as many details as possible when you sign your contract. We recommend booking the definite number of people you have and then adding more if necessary. As far as location & timing changes, there is no additional fee unless the new location is more than 40 miles roundtrip from our location or downtown, than you will incur a travel fee per artist/stylist. (see travel fee above)
If you need to change the time of services, please let us know as soon as possible. We try our hardest to accommodate all of our brides, 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 our office number, or our business cell phone 312.371.8596 , as we are always available on the wedding day. We suggest calling and leaving a voicemail if there is no answer and your call will be returned immediately.
How long does it take on the wedding day per person for makeup? For hair?
For makeup, we average 20-30 minutes for an attendant and 30-45 minutes for the bride. For hair we average about 40 minutes per person. For hair, it also depends on the desired complexity of the style & hair type. Please keep in mind that everyone is different, so some people take more time than others, which is why making a schedule is not always the best option, as it is rarely followed.
What do we need to have available on the day of the wedding?
On the wedding day, your makeup artist will need a bar stool/high chair & access to an electrical outlet. It is best to set them up in an area near natural light. Our hair stylists, need a normal/low back chair & access to at least one electrical outlet. We also ask that all guests be considerate of their designated space, products, and tools.
Should I make a schedule for my group for the day of the wedding?
We do not suggest making a schedule for your girl's hair & makeup on the wedding day. It is best for everyone to be there & be ready at the start time of the contract and let our artists/stylist pull people. If you have a large party, we suggest having them come in two groups, one at the start time & one group half way through.
How should my girls and I prepare for the day of?
For makeup applications we ask that everyone provide their own mascara for sanitary reasons. We also ask that their skin be cleansed & moisturized with an SPF - free, everyday/light moisturizer. For hair, we ask that everyone be prepared with their hair clean & dry, but not flat- ironed.
What mascara do you recommend?
We suggest that everyone use waterproof mascara in black. Sonia Roselli's SuperWear™ Mascara lasts for 24 hours. If you would like this for your bridal party please inquire.
Are lashes included?
Lashes are only included in the price of the bride. For attendants, lashes are an additional $10 for application if the client provides the lashes. Lashes are an additional $20 if the artist provides them and applies them. We do not offer lash application only on-location. The additional cost of lashes is typically assessed on the wedding day by your artist and is added accordingly to the balance due. Ask our Beauty Director if you would like to purchase the lashes prior to the wedding day.
What should I have with me throughout the wedding day for touch- ups?
For touch- ups we recommend purchasing your Sonia Roselli lip color. Depending on your skin and the weather, your artist may also recommend having a touch- up powder as well. Our Invisible Blotting Powder is a great touch- up product, especially for airbrush makeup! Brides can purchase their entire palette of colors for 20% off retail. Ask your artist for more details.
What do I do if I want to purchase my lip color for my wedding day?
If you would like to purchase your lip color for your wedding day, we suggest doing that when you are in the studio for your trial or ordering it online via our website. If you need to know the color, just give us a call or email. Please be sure to order at least 14 days prior to your wedding day, so you have it on the day.
For on- location services is the client responsible for parking costs?
Yes, our clients are responsible for any parking costs associated with your getting ready location. For all hotels, we ask that you put your artist/stylists name(s) on the list with valet, so they can put the cost on the room. For neighborhood locations, please have permits ready for your artist/stylist if they are necessary in your area.
What if I am unsatisfied with my makeup?
The best solution to this is to be completely honest with your artist/stylist at your trial. If you are still weary or unsure after your first trial, contact our beauty director, Susan. We do suggest a second trial if that will make you feel more comfortable or if you want to do a completely different look than the original trial. We pride ourselves on our customer service and our brides and clients being completely happy with our work. If a situation were to occur where you booked before a trial and you were not happy once you had the trial, let us know and we will try our best to match you with another artist/stylist from our team for your wedding day.
What is your payment structure? Do I need to pay a down payment before the wedding day? And what type of payment methods do you accept?
Our payment structure is pretty simple. All in- studio appointments are paid upon service (including trials) with cash, check or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover). Our classes are also paid upon service, with the exception of our yearly, limited edition classes, which are done with a pre- paid registration (check or credit card accepted).
For wedding contracts and any on- location services, we require a deposit of 40% (payable with cash, check or credit card) and the signed contract to secure your booking with your selected artist/stylist. You are then required to pay the balance due (60% of services) directly to your individual artist/stylist/assistant with cash or checks made out to each of them individually. The balances due are to be paid to your Sonia Roselli team members on the wedding day. Credit card and pre- payment will not be accepted.
If you incur any overtime charges for your on- location services, your artist/stylist will notify you on the wedding day. If this does not occur, our office will notify you the Tuesday following your wedding and we ask that you pay those charges by check.
For gratuity we only accept cash or check. Gratuity cannot be placed on a credit card.
Are assistants included in your initial per person rates? At what point do you need an assistant?
Assistants are not included in the initial per person rates. They are an additional $100/hour and are assigned 1-2 weeks prior to the wedding day. We typically suggest having an assistant for parties of 8-10 or more people. They 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.
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" at 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 instances where our artists need to do another wedding on the same day, running late may result in them being late to another wedding.
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 deposited on we are not able to refund the deposited portion. If you are more than 60 days out from the wedding day, we will take the portion of their services out of the balance due. Within 60 days, you will still be responsible to pay the full balance due.
How can I be assured my booked artist/stylist will show up at my wedding?
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 Sonia Roselli team to perform the services. This hasn't been an issue thus far, and we will try our absolutely hardest to keep it that way. If there is an issue on the wedding day, please call our office immediately.
Website Products
Do you offer refunds on any product?
Since we are a small boutique line, at this time we do not offer any refunds on opened or used product. If the product is new and never opened we can issue an exchange for another product of your choice.
Are your products hypo-allergenic?
Yes, all of Sonia Roselli's products are 100% hypo-allergenic.
Is your Photo Finish Foundation Oil free?
Yes, it is a matte, oil free foundation, free of spf.
Does Sonia Roselli use animal testing in her products?
No, Sonia Roselli does not conduct, nor condone any cosmetic testing on animals.
What is your return policy?
If you aren't fully satisfied with any product you receive from your online order, only unopened products can be returned for a full refund within 30 days of purchase. Used or opened products can only be sent in for an exchange. We are sorry, but we are unable to refund return shipping fees.
Does Sonia Roselli Cosmetics offer a professional discount?
We do offer a 30% discount to professional makeup artists.
If you would like to become a member of the Sonia Roselli Professional Makeup Artist Discount Program, please email us at artists@soniaroselli.com. Upon request of this information, we will email you a form to fill out. We will then determine if you qualify for our artist program. Please allow 60 days for us to process your request once approved.
If mailing your information, please send this information to the attention of:
Sonia Roselli-The Studio-7363 N Greenview Ave, Chicago, IL 60626. Attention Rebecca Males-Director of Education.