topic Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT in Beauty

FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

Shanus — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 16:11:53 GMT

I had my third makeup session with a more than difficult “bride-zilla” over the weekend. Most request a somewhat amped up, natural look, but this woman demanded a dark smokey eye, bright lip, contouring, etc. She’s a naturally beautiful girl who wears little makeup in her every day life.

We talked about how she’d look back at photos of the wedding and may regret not recognizing herself. Still not convinced, I asked a photographer to come over and do a few test shots. Those didn’t change her mind either. She was digging in her heels and although her mother and sister were there and agreed with me 100% and tried to convince her this was not the time for Instagram makeup, “no go”.

With my reputation and future referrals at stake, I told her I needed to recommend some other artists who may be more willing to meet her expections. This has never happened in over 25 years!!!!

What would you have done?

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

IMW — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 16:14:19 GMT

I think you handled the situation in a professional and positive manner. I certainly could do no better.

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

Shanus — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 16:17:34 GMT

Thanks @IMW . It really shook me up.

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

ECBG — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 16:23:32 GMT

I also think you handled the position in the only way possible. The way she looked could have also backlashed on you as well. I wouldn't think of it another minute.

Murphy's Law "There's always one"!

Enjoy your day. You deserve it after that one!

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 16:25:19 GMT

With your reputation and integrity at stake, you did the right thing @Shanus For this bride's sake, I hope any other makeup artist will give her the same advice. Maybe if she hears it enough it'll eventually sink in.

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

Witchy Woman — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 16:30:34 GMT

@Shanus

I agree, she was never going to be happy, so why torture yourself and risk your reputation?

Puzzling why a woman who didn't wear much makeup would suddenly want to be overdone.

Maybe she thought she needed it to come through in the pics, but it seems you did everything under the sun to help.

Sounds like she just wanted her way, then was going to rant and rave when she looked silly.

Bridezilla indeed -- used to love watching that show now and then. After a while, they just had REALLY crazy, abusive women and I stopped watching.

Good riddance!

You can come do my makeup any time

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

Shanus — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 16:30:07 GMT

@Witchy Woman wrote:
@Shanus

I agree, she was never going to be happy, so why torture yourself and risk your reputation?

Puzzling why a woman who didn't wear much makeup would suddendly want to be overdone.

Maybe she thought she needed it to come through in the pics, but it seems you did everything under the sun to help.

Sounds like she just wanted her way, then was going to rant and rave when she looked silly.

Bridezilla indeed -- used to love watching that show now and then. After a while, they just had REALLY crazy, abusive women and I stopped watching.

Good riddance!

You can come do my makeup any time

Thanks for the support @Witchy Woman and if I could, I’d love to do your makeup. 🌸

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

ILTH — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 16:31:51 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
I had my third makeup session with a more than difficult “bride-zilla” over the weekend. Most request a somewhat amped up, natural look, but this woman demanded a dark smokey eye, bright lip, contouring, etc. She’s a naturally beautiful girl who wears little makeup in her every day life.

We talked about how she’d look back at photos of the wedding and may regret not recognizing herself. Still not convinced, I asked a photographer to come over and do a few test shots. Those didn’t change her mind either. She was digging in her heels and although her mother and sister were there and agreed with me 100% and tried to convince her this was not the time for Instagram makeup, “no go”.

With my reputation and future referrals at stake, I told her I needed to recommend some other artists who may be more willing to meet her expections. This has never happened in over 25 years!!!!

What would you have done?

How was she "difficult" other than wanting her makeup done the way she wanted? How does that make her difficult or a bridezilla?

I understand your aesthetics are different, but, it's her choice. I don't blame you for referring her to someone else if you weren't comfortable doing the job, but, I don't think her wanting to look a certain way makes her unreasonable.

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

Dawnie — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 16:40:39 GMT

Why ruin your stellar reputation over someone who sees herself different and refuses to accept expert help. You absolutely did the right thing.

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

depglass — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 16:41:00 GMT

It's too bad grooms don't seem to get involved in any of the planning. I bet he would have agreed with you.

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

Shanus — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 16:41:15 GMT

@ILTH wrote:
@Shanus wrote:
I had my third makeup session with a more than difficult “bride-zilla” over the weekend. Most request a somewhat amped up, natural look, but this woman demanded a dark smokey eye, bright lip, contouring, etc. She’s a naturally beautiful girl who wears little makeup in her every day life.

We talked about how she’d look back at photos of the wedding and may regret not recognizing herself. Still not convinced, I asked a photographer to come over and do a few test shots. Those didn’t change her mind either. She was digging in her heels and although her mother and sister were there and agreed with me 100% and tried to convince her this was not the time for Instagram makeup, “no go”.

With my reputation and future referrals at stake, I told her I needed to recommend some other artists who may be more willing to meet her expections. This has never happened in over 25 years!!!!

What would you have done?
How was she "difficult" other than wanting her makeup done the way she wanted? How does that make her difficult or a bridezilla?

I understand your aesthetics are different, but, it's her choice. I don't blame you for referring her to someone else if you weren't comfortable doing the job, but, I don't think her wanting to look a certain way makes her unreasonable.

@ILTH She was difficult to begin with...demanding at each appointment that I cleanse her face several times and start over with a different look. She was not sure what she wanted for her big day, but after I tried to please her, she’d be on to something else.

My aesthetics aside, I’ve had to do photo shoots where the makeup was way out of my comfort zone with glued on sequins on eyelids and heavily outlined lips, but that’s print work, this was a wedding photo. She has one chance to look her most beautiful self (my bridal aesthetic) & in good conscience could not do that makeup her way and have anyone know I was the artist. Career over, for sure.

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

Shanus — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 16:43:46 GMT

@depglass wrote:
It's too bad grooms don't seem to get involved in any of the planning. I bet he would have agreed with you.

@depglass I’m sure this difficult, headstrong attitude has come out to the groom at other times in other ways. The wedding is not until the Fall. Maybe he’ll smarten up. 😜

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

INDIANA BONES — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 16:54:28 GMT

@Shanus I look at this from 2 views. I am certain you have a contract with the Bride and you have been in the business long enough to know your rights. With this said, photos from a Wedding are seen by hundreds of people. Actually hundreds may be at the wedding. Your reputation is at stake. One person is not worth losing a great reputation over. If a HEAVY make-up hand had been the bride's norm, it may have been a different story but most people think of brides as being Angelic. I agree u were very wise in the decision you made for both the Bride and for your business in the long run. One day the bride will wish she had listened to your wisdom.

Stand proud that you choose your reputation over the "almighty dollar' which in the ends means nothing in life.

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

chrystaltree — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 17:03:45 GMT

I have to assume that I would be working for an income so, I think, I'd respect the wishes of the customer who was paying for a job and do the best job I could do to give her the look she wanted for her wedding. I would never want it to get around that I am hard to work with and unpredictable and and have habit walking out on customers. I'd rather risk people not liking my work that thinking that of me and my business.

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

kaydee50 — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 17:09:01 GMT

Well, my first reaction is "the customer is always right" and I would have probably given her what she wanted. Who knows, her look may have brought you new customers!

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

shaggygirl — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 17:14:39 GMT

And so you see that as with most things, there are two different schools of thought on this, two totally different ways of looking at it. Personally, I don't know what I'd have done. I'd have to be in your shoes to know.

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

Still Raining — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 17:17:55 GMT

If you are providing a personal service than the goal should be to please the customer. Perhaps there is more to the story?

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

Shanus — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 17:22:38 GMT

@INDIANA BONES wrote:
@Shanus I look at this from 2 views. I am certain you have a contract with the Bride and you have been in the business long enough to know your rights. With this said, photos from a Wedding are seen by hundreds of people. Actually hundreds may be at the wedding. Your reputation is at stake. One person is not worth losing a great reputation over. If a HEAVY make-up hand had been the bride's norm, it may have been a different story but most people think of brides as being Angelic. I agree u were very wise in the decision you made for both the Bride and for your business in the long run. One day the bride will wish she had listened to your wisdom.

Stand proud that you choose your reputation over the "almighty dollar' which in the ends means nothing in life.

@INDIANA BONES Your support’s appreciated. I don’t have contracts firmed up until the bride decides “I’m the one”. Like cake tastings, flowers, caterers, there are many choices and you can’t meet someone for the first time and put a contract in their face. This protects me, too. I must be sure I can meet her expectations & vice versa. This was the first time there was trouble at the start.

With my jewelry commissions, it’s completely different. After an initial meeting, a second consultation is set up when I show the customer sketches, stones, etc. If they agree to go ahead, depending on the estimated cost and if stones are on hand or have to be special ordered, I do have a signed contract and a hefty deposit to cover my costs...not my time to make the piece. It’s non-refundable. Sometimes easy changes can be made without charge, but otherwise, when finished, the piece is theirs. I’ve had a few times when they didn’t like how it turned out, chalked it up to experience and chose not to pay for the rest of the order. I’ve covered my costs in the contract and I have several choices: pop out stones & melt the metal, keep the piece for myself or sell it. Any of the three, I come out OK.

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

Shanus — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 17:26:22 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
I have to assume that I would be working for an income so, I think, I'd respect the wishes of the customer who was paying for a job and do the best job I could do to give her the look she wanted for her wedding. I would never want it to get around that I am hard to work with and unpredictable and and have habit walking out on customers. I'd rather risk people not liking my work that thinking that of me and my business.

@chrystaltree In about 25 years, this is a first. My work is my reputation. I would never send a bride down the aisle looking like a hot mess. It’s not money that’s the issue.

Re: FIRED MY FIRST EVER BRIDAL CLIENT

Mindy D — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 17:33:21 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
I had my third makeup session with a more than difficult “bride-zilla” over the weekend. Most request a somewhat amped up, natural look, but this woman demanded a dark smokey eye, bright lip, contouring, etc. She’s a naturally beautiful girl who wears little makeup in her every day life.

We talked about how she’d look back at photos of the wedding and may regret not recognizing herself. Still not convinced, I asked a photographer to come over and do a few test shots. Those didn’t change her mind either. She was digging in her heels and although her mother and sister were there and agreed with me 100% and tried to convince her this was not the time for Instagram makeup, “no go”.

With my reputation and future referrals at stake, I told her I needed to recommend some other artists who may be more willing to meet her expections. This has never happened in over 25 years!!!!

What would you have done?

I would have given the bride what she wanted but I would have requested that she not credit me with the work on any public site.