Looking for a Makeup artist for my wedding???

I live in Pennsylvania but we are going back home to Des Moines, Iowa for our wedding. I need a makeup artist for my wedding on 08/08/08 and I was hoping for a MAC specialist. I know there are stores that have MAC counters in Des Moines but I don't know of any actual MAC stores. I have a style in mind already which I got from the MAC site and I trust their products. Can anyone tell me where I should look for a great makeup artist that works with MAC or what I should look for instead.





Also can anyone tell me what I should expect to pay for a good makeup artist to do my makeup and then the three of my bridesmaids as well??? I'm trying to budget and I'd like to know a round about average of what I should expect to pay in Iowa/midwest. Thanks a lot!!!Looking for a Makeup artist for my wedding???
Well as a ';discount'; favor for a fashoin show I was doing, the MAC artists qouted me $80 a person. This is Ohio. Since I had 20 girls and felt like that I was too much, I declined. I didn't try to negotiate because I already had some volunteers who would do it for free as long as they could photograph the models for their portfolios to show of the ';extreme'; makeup look we wanted. MAC would have been perfect, but in the end it worked out for the best and the ';free'; makeup artists we used were booked for several jobs at the end of the show. The girls we talked to from MAC just got greedy... it was the slow season and they saw a way to make some quick money from a couple hours of work. For the store they were from, the store actually pays them their normal ';hourly'; rate and gas money. I love MAC and would have loved to work with them, but for just doing the girls eye makeup, the qoute was unreasonable. This isn't to turn you off MAC, but just be careful with who you hire for that day.





Most are freelance and can charge whatever they. I would ask to see portfolios (they should have pictures of the work they have done) and have them do an ';audtion'; for you. Depending how long you want them for, and if you are having the person do more than just your makeup (bridesmaids, mom, etc.). Some doing an hourly rate, some a by person rate, some a wedding party special, so ask around. A department store that has a MAC counter has highly trained artists, and the department manager can put you in contact with the girls.





I would expect maybe about $150... should include some run-throughs and onsite application.Looking for a Makeup artist for my wedding???
Have you been on the knot.com? There are some messages boards for different cities. You might find a better answer there. We had ours done at the salon where I get my hair done. It was $50 for each of us.





Congrats on your wedding and your cool date. I was 07/07/07