Hair & Makeup Artist Contract Guide

A clear, professional contract protects your income, your time, and your reputation as a bridal artist. Without written terms, disputes over deposits, timing, party numbers, or allergies can become stressful and expensive. This guide covers every clause a UK hair and makeup artist should include in their booking agreement.

Why Written Contracts Are Essential

Working without a contract might feel fine when every client is lovely and everything goes to plan. But weddings are high-stakes events, and problems do occur:

• Couples cancel due to relationship breakdown, bereavements, or financial pressure
• Bridal party sizes change (often upward) after a booking is made
• Allergic reactions to products become disputes about liability
• The bride arrives 90 minutes late and wants you to stay later than agreed
• A no-show on the morning causes emotional and financial harm to you

A contract doesn't guarantee these things won't happen. It guarantees you have a clear, fair resolution when they do.

Under UK consumer law (Consumer Rights Act 2015), your terms must be fair, transparent, and brought to the client's attention before the contract is formed. Emailing a contract and requesting written agreement before accepting the booking satisfies this requirement.

Essential Contract Clauses

1. Parties and Event Details

Start with the basics:

• Your full name / trading name / company name
• Your contact address and business email
• The client's full name(s) and contact address
• The wedding/event date
• Venue name and full address
• Your agreed start time at the venue
• Number of people receiving services (list each person and each service)

Getting party numbers right is critical. Many artists get burned by vague language ("bride plus bridesmaids"). Specify: "Services are agreed for: 1 x bridal hair and makeup, 2 x bridesmaid hair and makeup, 1 x mother of the bride makeup."

2. Services Description

List exactly what is and isn't included:

• Each service (hair styling, makeup application) per person
• Whether lashes are included (individual, strip, or by request)
• Whether a trial session is included or priced separately
• Delivery method (at-home, venue, your studio)
• Approximate duration of the appointment

State what is not included: "Hair extensions, nail services, brow tinting, and lash lifts are not included in this agreement and are not provided."

3. Booking Fee and Deposit

Your booking fee clause should be crystal clear:

• The amount of the booking fee (state a specific figure — not just a percentage)
• That the booking fee is non-refundable in all circumstances
• That your calendar date is not held until the booking fee is received and cleared
• The payment deadline for the booking fee

Sample wording: "A non-refundable booking fee of £[X] is required to secure this booking. The date will not be reserved until this fee has been received. The booking fee forms part of the total fee agreed."

Some artists use the term "deposit" interchangeably — be aware that under consumer law, a deposit implies a degree of refundability if services are not rendered. Using "booking fee" is clearer about its non-refundable nature.

4. Total Fee and Payment Schedule

• Total agreed fee for all services
• Payment breakdown (booking fee, midpoint payment if applicable, balance)
• Balance due date (typically 4–8 weeks before the wedding)
• Accepted payment methods (bank transfer, card via SumUp/Square)

Include a late payment clause: Balances not received by the due date may result in the booking being released, with no refund of the booking fee.

5. Cancellation Policy

Be specific about what happens at different cancellation timescales:

Cancellation by the client:

• More than 6 months before: Booking fee forfeited, no further charge
• 3–6 months before: Booking fee + 50% of remaining balance due
• Less than 3 months before: Full fee due (or 100% of fee if balance already paid — no refund)

Cancellation by you (the artist):

• Immediately notify the client
• Refund all monies paid in full
• Make reasonable efforts to refer a replacement artist

Wedding supplier public liability insurance (see below) can help cover your cancellation liability if you're incapacitated.

6. Changes to the Booking

Define how you handle party size changes:

• Adding people: Additional services are subject to availability and may incur an administration fee. Price for extra services must be confirmed in writing before the wedding.
• Removing people: Reductions in party size do not reduce the total agreed fee where you've already declined other bookings.
• Changes requested less than 8 weeks before: Subject to availability and written agreement only.

7. Late Starts and Timing

This is one of the most common sources of friction on wedding mornings. Be explicit:

"The agreed schedule is based on arrival of the bridal party at [time]. If the schedule is delayed by more than [30] minutes due to late arrival of clients, [Artist Name] cannot guarantee all services will be completed within the original timeframe. Additional time, if available, may be charged at £[X] per hour."

Include what you'll do if you need to leave by a fixed time (to reach another booking, or a contracted end time): "[Artist Name]'s services conclude at [time]. This time cannot be extended beyond [agreed end time] as prior commitments must be honoured."

8. Allergies and Skin Sensitivities

This is your legal protection for reactions:

"The client is responsible for notifying [Artist Name] of any known allergies, skin sensitivities, or medical conditions prior to the trial session. [Artist Name] uses professional cosmetics that are patch-tested in accordance with industry guidelines. In the absence of disclosed allergies, [Artist Name] accepts no liability for reactions to products used."

Best practice: Send a skin questionnaire prior to the trial and keep the completed form on file. If a client discloses a nut allergy, shellfish allergy, or known cosmetic sensitivity, check your products accordingly.

9. Liability and Insurance

Include a professional indemnity and public liability clause:

"[Artist Name] holds public liability insurance to the value of £[X] million. Liability for any claim arising from services provided is limited to the total fee paid. [Artist Name] accepts no liability for indirect losses."

UK bridal artists should hold:

• Public liability insurance: £1–5M minimum (covers third-party injury or property damage)
• Treatment liability insurance: Covers adverse reactions to beauty treatments (often included in professional PLI for beauty practitioners)

Providers used by UK beauty professionals include Holistic Insurance Services, Guild Insurance, and BALPA (British Association of Laser and Allied Practitioners).

10. Photography and Portfolio Use

"[Artist Name] may photograph and film the artist's work for use in portfolio, website, social media, and marketing materials. If the client would prefer not to be featured publicly, they should notify [Artist Name] in writing prior to the trial session."

Most clients are happy for their look to be featured — but ask for consent explicitly in writing rather than assuming.

11. Governing Law

"This agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales [or Scotland/Northern Ireland as applicable]. Any disputes shall be referred to the courts of England and Wales."

Delivering the Contract

Use an e-signature tool for professional delivery:

• Dubsado — popular with beauty professionals, includes invoicing and questionnaires
• HoneyBook — similar all-in-one option
• HelloSign / Dropbox Sign — simple e-signature for any document

Electronic signatures are legally valid under the Electronic Communications Act 2000. A returned, signed contract is your binding agreement.

Always keep a copy of every signed contract. Store digitally for a minimum of 7 years (for tax purposes and in case of late-arising disputes).

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