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  • Where is your studio located?
    I operate out of two studios in Fairfax City, Virginia: Mara Hair & Mode Studio and my in-home Studio.
  • Why is there a rate difference for onsite services versus the studio location?
    A travel fee applies to on-site services, allowing you the convenience of receiving beauty treatments at a location of your choice, complete with a comprehensive setup. This is an alternative to visiting my studio, where all the necessary equipment is readily available. I'm more than happy to accommodate on-site appointments, which involves temporarily relocating from the studio. It's important to be aware that this will require additional time both before and after your beauty session. I will need to pack and set up all the necessary supplies and equipment at your chosen location. The adjusted rate for on-site services accounts for the time and effort involved in providing this convenience. If the cost difference for on-site services doesn't align with your budget, you also have the option to visit my studio.
  • Will you come to my home or venue?
    Certainly! There is no additional travel fee for bookings within Fairfax City. For locations outside the City of Fairfax, Virginia, a round-trip mileage fee will be applied. Any parking, valet, or related travel expenses will be invoiced after the booking is finalized. If your location is more than two hours away, overnight accommodations near your getting ready location will be necessary.
  • What brands of makeup do you use?
    The products in my kit are long-wearing, professional and prestige brands. Some of the brands I carry are; NARS, CHANEL, Charlotte Tilbury, MAC Cosmetics, Bobbi Brown, By Terry, Laniege, Benefit Cosmetics, SENNA, DIOR, Sonia Roselli, Skindinavia, Mehron, Ben Nye, Face Atelier, Hourglass, Victoria Beckham Beauty, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, RCMA, and more.​​
  • Where can I send gratuity?
    You can send gratuity for a job well done via Venmo: @MakeupbyKileySmith You can also add a tip through your makeup proposal.
  • Do you also offer hair services?
    No, I specialize exclusively in makeup services and do not offer hair services. This focus on makeup allows me to dedicate all my expertise and attention to creating the perfect, radiant look for your special day. I believe that by concentrating solely on makeup, I can provide you with the highest level of skill and artistry to make you look and feel your best. I have established collaborations with skilled hairstylists whom I frequently work with and can recommend if you require hair services.
  • How do you sanitize your brushes and kit?
    Sanitization is one of my top priorities. I clean my kit after every client and wipe down each makeup container. My brushes are double-cleansed, once with soap, olive oil, and water and again with Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner. I wipe down all brush handles with Lysol wipes and spray with 70% isopropyl alcohol (the higher the alcohol grade, the faster it dissipates). All of my liquid makeup is applied to a stainless steel palette and then to the client. Powders are wiped and sprayed with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
  • Are you LGBTQ+ friendly?
    100%! LOVE IS LOVE!
  • Why should I choose you as my makeup artist?
    With 18 years of experience in makeup artistry, I understand the importance of creating enduring and timeless looks. Whether it's for brides, special events, or editorial projects, I am dedicated to providing a curated experience from beginning to end. My kit features top-tier professional makeup brands like Dior, Rodial, Tom Ford, By Terry, NARS, Ben Nye, Mehron, SENNA, Charlotte Tilbury, Givenchy RCMA, CHANEL, and others. I complement these products with luxurious skincare from Sonia Roselli. To ensure that each bride gets the utmost attention on her big day, I commit to booking only one wedding per date. This assures my brides that they are my absolute priority, granting them the peace of mind they deserve. In the realm of makeup lessons, I relish the opportunity to share my passion and knowledge with clients. This interaction allows me to connect with each individual on a personal level, understanding their unique styles and preferences. Witnessing the excitement on their faces as they grasp new techniques and skills is truly priceless. To provide a comprehensive service, I offer various lessons and add-ons, including personalized shopping experiences and follow-up lessons. These enhancements ensure that clients receive ongoing support and guidance beyond the initial lesson. Makeup lessons serve as an excellent way for me to share my love for makeup artistry while forging meaningful connections. My services are available either in the comfort of my clients' homes or in the studio upon request. Additionally, I am committed to providing prompt responses to all inquiries from my valued clients.
  • What does your travel cover?
    My travel fee covers my driving time, gas, car maintenance, and mileage.
  • Can I book you for just a partial service such as eyes or face?
    I do not offer partial makeup applications.
  • I still have questions...
    Please feel free to email me at info@makeupbykileysmith.com and I'd be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.
  • Are you fully insured?
    Yes, I am!
  • How do I prepare for on-site makeup services?
    For your appointment's success, please ensure you have: A Suitable Space: Choose a secure and secluded area, preferably away from high-traffic zones. It should be equipped with a spacious table or workspace, and if possible, positioned near a window for good lighting. Electrical Access: Access to electrical outlets for my equipment is necessary. Fresh Face: Before my arrival, please make sure your face is clean, free from skincare or sunscreen products. I will take care of the skin preparation. Social Distancing: Maintain social distancing in the vicinity of my kit for hygiene and safety reasons. This includes individuals and pets. Hydration: It's appreciated if extra water is available, although I'll bring my own. Extended appointments may require more, and having some extra can be quite helpful. Please note that bridal trial/wedding day services will involve additional steps and preparation.
  • Is a bridal preview/trial necessary?
    Yes, a bridal trial is essential. This trial offers you the assurance of your appearance and comfort on your wedding day. Amidst the considerable anticipations that accompany weddings, your peace of mind matters most. Beyond this, the trial is a safeguard against any potential allergic reactions to the products I employ (a concern best addressed prior to your big day!). The trial is a serene opportunity for pampering, ensuring you feel at ease and well-prepared.
  • How do I prepare for my bridal trial?
    In preparation for your trial, all of my soon-to-be brides receive a comprehensive guide that outlines the necessary steps. To optimize your trial experience, it's advisable to replicate the conditions you envision for your actual wedding day. If you plan to have a spray tan, lash extensions, or make alterations to your hair color or cut, it's best to undergo those procedures before your trial. Additionally, ensure your skin is clean and devoid of makeup. Moreover, for the trial, it's recommended to wear a white or neutral solid top. The colors in your attire can potentially affect your makeup and overall appearance, so opting for neutral tones minimizes any potential influence.
  • Any tips on how I should prepare my skin for my wedding?
    Every one of my brides is provided with a thorough bridal skincare guide to follow, ensuring that their skin is in optimal condition for their special day. I also advise establishing a tailored skincare routine, something we can delve into and fine-tune during your bridal trial. You can explore the products I endorse and suggest through this link. If you are unable to book my services for your wedding day, I do offer a bridal skincare guide in my boutique that you can purchase.
  • How do I choose my makeup look?
    Considering the formality of your event and your personal makeup preferences is essential. If you typically wear minimal makeup, it's wise to start with a natural look and gradually enhance it as desired. For those seeking inspiration, my Pinterest profile offers a plethora of ideas. Simply follow the provided link and explore various makeup boards showcasing both classic and trendy styles. This resource can aid you in discovering a range of looks. When selecting inspiration pictures, I recommend focusing on models who share your eye and hair color, as well as your skin tone. This approach can provide a more accurate representation of how the makeup will appear on you. When exploring, aim to gather multiple options. This way, I can craft a distinct look based on your chosen inspirations. With my expertise, I'll guide you in selecting the most fitting choice that complements your features and style seamlessly.
  • Can I do a bridal trial to decide if I want to book your services?
    Of course, it's a common practice for numerous brides to choose a trial session before confirming their wedding reservation. By scheduling a bridal trial with me, you're essentially securing a tentative reservation for your wedding date. This acts as a safeguard, ensuring that you have the initial opportunity to confirm the date if another bride expresses interest.
  • Why should I book Makeup by Kiley Smith for my wedding?
    Expertise: With over 18 years of experience, I bring a wealth of expertise to ensure you look stunning and radiant on your big day. Customization: I take the time to understand your vision and preferences, tailoring the makeup to match your unique style and personality. Attention to Detail: I focus on every detail to create a flawless and long-lasting look that will shine in both real life and photographs. Hygiene: I prioritize your health and well-being by using sanitized tools, clean products, and adhering to strict hygiene practices. Personal Connection: I value building relationships with my clients, making you feel comfortable and at ease during the makeup process. Time Management: I understand the importance of punctuality on your wedding day, ensuring your makeup is completed efficiently and on schedule. Emotional Investment: Being a part of your special day means a lot to me, and I'm genuinely dedicated to making you feel confident and beautiful. Flexibility: I offer a range of services, from makeup trials to on-site touch-ups, adapting to your specific needs and preferences. Client Satisfaction: Your happiness is my top priority, and I'm dedicated to surpassing your expectations. Exclusive Attention: Booking only one client per date, I ensure that you are my sole focus, providing you with the personalized care and attention you deserve. When you choose Makeup by Kiley Smith, you're choosing professionalism, a personalized touch, and a dedicated partner who will work to create an beautiful and calming experience on your wedding day.
  • How far in advance should I book you for my wedding?
    As I only book one wedding per date, it's common for many of my brides to secure their bridal services up to a year in advance. I genuinely dislike having to inform potential clients that I'm already booked for their desired date. To avoid disappointment, I recommend reserving your date as early as possible. Please don't hesitate to fill out a wedding inquiry to check my availability for your special day.
  • Why should I hire a professional makeup artist for my wedding?
    Firstly, you're worth every moment of pampering on your wedding day, considering the immense effort and planning that goes into creating your dream celebration. Here are some reasons why I believe booking a professional is a must: Peace of Mind: On your wedding day, you should be relishing every moment, not worrying about your makeup. A professional artist allows you to relax and enjoy your morning without the added stress of perfecting every detail. Time Efficiency: Professionals work efficiently, ensuring you and your bridal party are ready on schedule, leaving you with ample time for pre-wedding celebrations. Confidence Boost: Having a makeup artist enhance your natural beauty will give you a timeless and elegant look. When you look back at your wedding photos in the years to come, you'll feel just as beautiful as you did on that special day. Tailored to You: Professional makeup artists understand the importance of creating a look that complements your style, theme, and individual preferences. Your makeup will be uniquely designed to enhance your features. Picture-Perfect: Your artist knows how to make your makeup photography-ready, ensuring you look stunning in your wedding photos. Long-Lasting: Makeup artists use high-quality, long-wear products that will keep you looking flawless from the ceremony to the dance floor, even through tears and laughter. Expertise in all Conditions: Professionals are experienced in handling various weather conditions, from sweltering heat to sudden rain. Your look will remain fresh and radiant, no matter what nature throws at you.
  • Why do you only book one wedding per date?
    Exclusivity: By limiting my bookings to one wedding per date, I am offering exclusivity to my clients. They have my undivided attention and can rely on me to be fully dedicated to their special day. Offer Quality Service: Focusing on one wedding per date allows me to deliver a higher quality of service. I can give my full attention to the bride and her party, ensuring that their makeup is flawless and they know they are my priority for the time they have booked me.
  • What is the process to secure you for my wedding date?
    Once you’ve made your inquiry through the form on my website, I will contact you via phone to have a 'getting to know you call.' Having a call ensures that we are a good fit and that we feel comfortable with one another. I am one of the last people to be with you before you walk down the aisle—having that person whom you trust is essential. A call also allows us to get to know one another, which I believe is an essential part of choosing your bridal makeup artist. During the call, I will go over my booking process, and you can ask any questions you may have. Learn more about why I have 'getting to know you' phone calls by clicking here.
  • How do I contact you if I want to book you?
    Click here to fill out the inquiry form, or contact me at info@makeupbykileysmith.com
  • Why does Bridal makeup cost more?
    Customization and Consultation: Bridal makeup requires thorough consultation and customization to ensure it aligns with the bride's preferences, theme, attire, and venue. This involves in-depth discussions and trial sessions to create the perfect look. Longevity: Bridal makeup must endure for an extended period, often lasting through multiple events, photography sessions, and sometimes an entire day and night. This requires specialized techniques and products that are designed to be long-wearing. Flexibility and Time Dedication: Wedding days are often long, and I need to be flexible and dedicated, sometimes starting early in the morning and being available for touch-ups throughout the day. Expertise: With over 18 years in the field, I've honed my expertise to deliver exceptional results. Naturally, this level of skill and knowledge does contribute to the overall value. Products and Tools: Bridal makeup involves using premium products and specialized tools to ensure a flawless finish that will last through various conditions. Attention to Detail: Bridal makeup requires meticulous attention to detail, from complexion matching to ensuring the makeup complements the bridal attire and overall theme. Heartfelt Contribution: As a makeup artist, I get to be part of one of the most special moments in your life. The emotions tied to this are truly precious, and they infuse my work with deep meaning and care. Furthermore, I only take one client per date, which means that once I've booked a wedding, I'm unable to accommodate any other clients on that date. This exclusive focus ensures that the bride receives my undivided attention and all the effort required to make her day truly special. Considering all these factors, the cost of bridal makeup reflects the extra time, effort, expertise, and resources required to meet the specific demands of a wedding day.
  • Can you stay for touch-ups throughout my wedding day?
    Yes! Depending on my availability, I may be able to stay for touch-ups.
  • Do you offer Airbrush?
    I exclusively offer traditional makeup services, and I believe in its ability to provide a flawless and long-lasting look. Traditional makeup, when applied skillfully and set with the right products, should comfortably last throughout your wedding day, ensuring you look stunning from the ceremony to the reception.
  • How long will my makeup last?
    The duration for makeup longevity can vary significantly due to a range of factors, such as eating, drinking, perspiring, shedding tears, and engaging in physical contact like kissing. There's a possibility that you might need to touch up your lipstick and reapply powder during your event. To maximize makeup endurance, I utilize a setting spray, an antiperspirant applied to the t-zone and around the hairline, and sealant spray with each application. Traditional makeup, when applied skillfully and set with the right products, should comfortably last throughout your wedding day, ensuring you look stunning from the ceremony to the reception.
  • How long does it take you to do each makeup service?
    Traditional Bridal Makeup: Approximately one hour and a half* Wedding Party: 45 minutes per person (I add an extra 10-15 minutes for lashes) Please note that the timeframes provided are estimates, and there might be a need for additional time based on the overall schedule of the wedding/event. *This additional time ensures I can offer you a truly relaxing and enjoyable bridal experience.
  • Are you available for destination weddings?
    Yes, I am available for destination weddings worldwide. Please reach out via email to info@makeupbykileysmith for more information.
  • Do you have any tips for finding the perfect makeup artist for my wedding?
    Absolutely, here are some tips to help you find the ideal makeup artist for your wedding: Start Early: Begin your search well in advance to secure the best artist for your date. If you're considering booking my services for your wedding, it's a good idea to reach out well in advance to check for availability and start discussing your makeup preferences and needs. Portfolio Review: Check out the artist's previous work to ensure their style matches your vision. Consultation: Schedule consultations with potential artists to discuss your preferences and see if you vibe well. Trial Session: Have a trial makeup session to gauge their skills and see how well the makeup suits you. Communication: Ensure the artist is receptive to your ideas and communicates effectively. Experience: Consider an artist experienced in bridal makeup, as weddings have unique demands. Hygiene Consciousness: Make sure to inquire about the artist's hygiene practices. A professional makeup artist should prioritize cleanliness by using sanitized tools, brushes and products. This is crucial to ensure not only a flawless look but also your skin's health on your big day. Asking about their hygiene routines can give you confidence in their commitment to your well-being and a top-notch experience. Products: Inquire about the brands and quality of products they use. Contract: Have a detailed contract outlining services, schedule, and costs. Personality: Choose someone you're comfortable with, as they'll be with you during personal moments. Availability: Confirm the artist's availability for your wedding date. Reviews: Check online reviews to get a sense of their professionalism and client satisfaction. Flexibility: Ensure the artist can accommodate your timeline and any changes. Budget: Consider your budget while balancing the artist's skills and offerings. Passion: Choose someone who's genuinely passionate about making you look your best. Intuition: Trust your gut feeling after meeting and discussing with potential artists. Remember, your makeup artist plays a significant role in making you feel confident and beautiful on your big day, so take your time in making the right choice.
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