FAQS

No — The Make-Up Box mobile studio is available on request. We also work in the traditional way, coming to your hotel suite, bridal suite, home or venue and setting up in your space. Both options are available and both deliver the same standard of artistry.

If you would like the mobile studio, simply let us know when you enquire and we will confirm whether it is suitable for your location. Get in touch →

We need two car lengths of flat, level surface. This can be a driveway, a residential street, a car park or a venue access road. If you are unsure whether your location works, just get in touch and describe the space — we will confirm within 24 hours.

The studio has two fully equipped styling stations so two artists can work simultaneously. There is also a comfortable seating area for up to two clients waiting — which means up to four people are looked after at once. For larger parties we can arrange additional artists from our approved Associates team.

We travel nationally. No location is too far for the right occasion. Travel charges are confirmed at the time of booking based on distance from our base and are always discussed transparently before you commit to anything. Get in touch to discuss your location →

We take hygiene extremely seriously. Every client has their own individual beauty blender which is disposed of after use. All brushes are cleaned and fully sanitised between every client. Disposable mascara wands are used as standard to prevent any product contamination. The studio itself is sanitised before every booking.

We hold full public liability insurance and product insurance, and have completed COVID risk assessments. You are in safe, professional hands.

Yes — and we strongly recommend it. Having your hair and make-up in one pair of trusted hands means a completely cohesive look, better timing and far less stress on the morning. Shair has over 20 years of experience in both and leads every bridal booking personally.

We also offer hair only or make-up only for wedding guests and party members who prefer it. View our wedding packages →

We strongly recommend a trial for every bride. Your trial is where we get to know your face, your vision and your preferences — so that on your wedding day everything is already perfect, practised and exactly as you imagined. It removes any guesswork from the most important morning of your life.

Ideally your trial should take place around six months before your wedding, though we do understand that circumstances sometimes mean it happens closer to the date — up to a month before is absolutely fine. Trials take approximately two hours and are booked separately from £150. View wedding details →

Yes — if you are wearing a veil, hair accessories or any jewellery on the day, bring them along so we can see the complete picture. It makes a real difference to how we design and finish the look.

We would also love to see your inspiration. The best way to share this is a Pinterest mood board — create a folder, save the looks that speak to you and either bring it on the day or WhatsApp it to us beforehand so we can prepare.

Absolutely. We will work with you — and with any wedding planner or coordinator you have — to create a schedule that ensures everyone is ready exactly when they need to be. Your morning is planned as carefully as your make-up. We work closely alongside your other suppliers to make sure the day runs flawlessly.

You can — but please let us know at your trial so we can match your foundation to your tan rather than your natural skin tone. Fake tan and make-up can sometimes react unexpectedly, so the earlier we know the better. This is one of those things that is much easier to plan around than to fix on the morning.

Very little, if anything. We use premium long-wear products and apply everything with longevity in mind — so your make-up is designed to look immaculate from the ceremony right through to the evening. The one thing you may want to touch up is your lipstick, which is entirely normal. We can recommend a long-wear option or match the exact shade so you have it with you on the day.

If you would like us to stay for touch-ups between the ceremony and reception, we offer this as an add-on. View wedding add-ons →

Yes, entirely. We work confidently with European, South Asian, Afro-Caribbean, mixed and all other hair types. We also work with wigs, braids, extensions and all textures. If you have a specific hair type or concern, mention it when you enquire and we will confirm the best approach for you.

Please note that we specialise in dry styling only — we do not cut or colour hair.

Yes. Hair extensions can be discussed and planned at your trial. To ensure the best match, we recommend bringing a colour sample of your hair so we can source the right shade in advance. Extensions are charged separately and confirmed at your consultation.

Yes, absolutely. We have extensive experience working with South Asian brides and understand the specific requirements of multi-day celebrations including mehndi, sangeet and the main ceremony. We work confidently with all South Asian hair types and skin tones and are experienced in creating looks that photograph beautifully across a range of lighting conditions and settings.

We also offer saree draping and jewellery setting as add-on services for brides and wedding party members. If your wedding involves more than one event or day, please let us know when you enquire so we can plan accordingly.

As soon as you have your date confirmed — popular dates fill quickly, especially in peak wedding season. We would always recommend reaching out as early as possible to avoid disappointment. That said, we do occasionally have availability for bookings at shorter notice, so it is always worth enquiring even if your date is approaching. Start your bridal enquiry →

We use only the finest professional luxury brands — NARS, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Inglot, Screen Face, Kryolan and others of equivalent standard. We believe that looking extraordinary requires extraordinary products, and we will never compromise on this.

We are entirely independent and represent no brand. Every product recommendation we make is based solely on what is right for your skin, your tone and your occasion — never on commission or brand affiliation.

Absolutely and without reservation. Our team has over 27 years of combined experience working with every skin tone, ethnicity and complexion. We carry a full range of foundations, concealers and colour products specifically to ensure every client — regardless of their skin tone — receives a flawless, perfectly matched result.

Diversity is not a box we tick. It is simply the standard we have always worked to.

With great pleasure. Mature skin requires a different approach — the right products, the right application techniques and a genuine understanding of how skin changes over time. We have worked with clients across every stage of life and take real pride in creating looks that are tailored, flattering and completely age-appropriate. We celebrate every age, not just one.

We always recommend using our products because we know exactly how they perform, how they photograph and how long they last. That knowledge is part of what you are booking.

However, if you have a skin condition, a known allergy or a sensitivity to certain ingredients, we are absolutely happy to work with your own products. Please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.

Yes — and we believe this is one of the most overlooked parts of looking truly extraordinary. The best make-up application in the world is only as good as the skin it is applied to. Skin preparation is part of every session we do, and we always take the time to ensure your skin is in the best possible condition before we begin.

Beyond the appointment itself, we also offer personalised skincare guidance as part of our personal beauty programmes. We can advise on a skin-specific routine tailored to your concerns — whether that is hydration, texture, pigmentation, ageing or sensitivity — with a focus on working from within as well as on the surface. Great skin begins long before the make-up brush.

If skincare is something you would like to explore further as part of your journey with us, mention it when you get in touch and we will discuss what is available for you. Explore our personal beauty programmes →

Yes. Every booking begins with a conversation. For weddings this is your trial. For other bookings we discuss your look, your occasion and your preferences before we begin. We never just turn up and start — understanding you is part of the process.

You can also reach us easily via WhatsApp beforehand — send voice notes, images, mood board screenshots or written messages and we will always respond personally.

Every booking begins with an enquiry. Use the relevant enquiry form on the service page that applies to you, or get in touch directly via our contact page. We will respond personally within 24 hours to confirm availability, discuss your requirements and agree the next steps.

We never confirm a booking without speaking to you first. Every client relationship begins with a conversation.

Yes. A deposit is required to secure your date and is confirmed at the time of booking. Full payment terms are discussed and agreed personally before you commit to anything. We believe in complete transparency around payment — there are no surprises.

To secure your wedding date we take a save-the-date deposit of £100. This is separate from your trial and is paid when you confirm your booking with us.

Should you need to cancel, we ask for a minimum of two months notice before your wedding date. Cancellations made within this window may result in the loss of your deposit. We always handle cancellations with understanding and will do everything we can to work with you if circumstances change.

If you need to reschedule, please get in touch as early as possible and we will do our best to accommodate your new date subject to availability. Get in touch to discuss →

Yes — and they make a truly extraordinary gift. Gift vouchers are available for any of our services and can be purchased for yourself or for someone you love. Whether it is The Edit for a friend, a hen party experience or a personal beauty session for a mother or daughter — a Make-Up Box gift voucher is something genuinely special.

To purchase a gift voucher, get in touch via our contact page and we will arrange everything personally.

Yes. We hold full public liability insurance and product insurance. You are in safe, professional and fully insured hands at every booking.

It depends on the size and nature of the booking. For larger parties, corporate events or multi-artist editorial shoots, additional artists are brought in from our carefully vetted Make-Up Box Associates team — all of whom are trained and approved to work to the same standard.

You will always know in advance exactly who is attending your booking. Learn about our Associates →

Yes. The Make-Up Box has been specifically designed to accommodate larger parties where space at a venue or home may be limited. With two styling stations running simultaneously and a seating area for waiting guests, we can move through a large party efficiently without compromising the experience for anyone.

For very large bookings, additional Associates artists can be arranged. View party packages →

Not at all. Weddings are one of six services we offer. We also work across corporate events and brand shoots, VIP private clients, fashion and editorial, party packages and personal beauty programmes. We cover baby showers, birthday parties, proms, red carpet events and much more besides.

If you have an occasion and you want to look extraordinary for it — we are here for it. View all our services →

The Edit is a single one-to-one session with Shair — approximately two hours — covering a full makeup bag audit, colour and foundation matching, feature analysis and a step-by-step tutorial tailored to your face. You leave with your own personal face chart and a routine you can recreate yourself every day. From £349.

The Transformation Programme is an intensive eight-week journey with Shair. It goes far beyond a single session — addressing not just how you apply make-up but how you see yourself and how you present yourself to the world. It is by application only and places are strictly limited. Investment is discussed at your discovery call.

View both programmes in full →

Sessions take place at our Central London studios, easily accessible from across the city and beyond. Your studio location is confirmed personally by Shair when she gets in touch after booking.

The best way to find out is to apply. The application is short and asks you to share a little about yourself, your relationship with make-up and what you are hoping to change. Shair reviews every application personally and if she feels you are the right fit, she will invite you to a discovery call where you can discuss everything in detail.

There is no obligation after applying and no question is judged. Apply now →

Wear something comfortable that you do not mind getting a little make-up on — a top with a wide or open neckline works well so we can see your natural colouring without a collar in the way.

Bring your entire make-up bag — everything you own, even the products you never use. The audit is one of the most valuable parts of the session and we need to see what you are actually working with. Do not edit it before you arrive.

Come with your make-up either on as you would normally wear it, or with no make-up at all — either is fine. If you come made up, we can see your current approach before we begin. If you come bare-faced, we start completely fresh. Both work well.

Completely. In fact, some of the most transformative sessions are with women who have never felt confident with make-up at all. There is no assumed knowledge, no judgment and no pressure. You are in a private, one-to-one environment with Shair — and the entire session is built around exactly where you are starting from.

The Make-Up Box Academy offers group masterclasses and professional development for both beauty enthusiasts and working artists. Whether you are someone who wants to learn more for yourself, or a professional who wants to elevate their skills and business to The Make-Up Box standard — the Academy has been designed for you.

Masterclasses cover technique, product knowledge, client management and building a professional beauty business. Classes run in small groups of between 5 and 15 people to ensure a genuinely personal learning experience.

Applications are currently open. Register your interest →