Hair / Make Up

Top Desi Wedding Hair & Makeup Artists in Texas - Dallas, Houston, Austin

Your focus may be on deciding between mithai, flowers, wedding favors, or other logistical details, but come the wedding day, everyone else’s eyes will be on you! Your hair and makeup artist will be one of the rare gems on your wedding “to-dos” that will be all about you. They will be with you bright and early, to pamper, and turn you into the Desi bride you’ve been waiting to be! We really don’t recommend going with DIY wedding makeup, as while makeup and hair can feel pricey, it’s the one thing that is really all about you and worth investing in for your sanity and photographs. You will find top wedding hair & makeup artists in Dallas, hair & makeup artists in Houston, and hair & makeup artists in Austin below.

FAQ

How much should hair and makeup for Desi brides cost?

Hair and makeup at South Asian weddings is intense. It entails not just heavier hair and makeup to last several hours and give you the modern South Asian bridal look but also takes more skill, given the saree draping or lehenga dupatta paired with accessories like the tikka. You will find that on average Desi bridal hair and makeup is more expensive than traditional hair and makeup for the reasons above. With that said, you should expect to pay anywhere between $300 - $1200 per event for your bridal hair & makeup in Dallas, Houston, and Austin. While party makeup or engagement makeup from a professional hair & makeup artist may be slightly lower cost, hair and makeup for the Indian bride requires a special skill set and dedicated time. If you are a budget bride you'll find affordably priced hair & makeup artists on The Desi Bride, and if you are open to splurging on your look, we also have more lavish hair & makeup vendor options.

What questions should I ask hair and makeup artists I am considering?

You’ll need to ask questions around cost/transparency, but more importantly, you’ll want to better grasp your hair + makeup artist's portfolio of work. Example questions include:

Do you provide a wedding makeup trial in advance? What is the cost?
What is the process of working with a client? Ask them about how they will work with you to create your looks ahead of your Desi wedding events.
May I see past examples of your work with clients that wanted a similar look to what I’m envisioning?
If you are working with hair and makeup artists who have not worked with a lot of South Asian clients, you may want to ask them whether they have examples of work with clients similar to (your culture)? Depending on whether you’re going for a traditional South Indian look, a Pakistani look, or want a more modern look on a dark or light skin tone, you want to find a makeup artist that is comfortable working with you.
Have you worked with (insert skin/hair concerns) before?
Do you provide both makeup and hair services, or will you be splitting the work?
How much do you charge for bridal looks, and what all is included (e.g., lashes, hair extensions)?
Is there a travel fee for traveling to the site?
If a Dallas hair & makeup artist is traveling to your Austin wedding, how much will they charge to travel, and do you need to provide them with accomodations?

I want to make sure my mom, sisters, and bridesmaids also have their wedding hair and makeup done. Can I use the same hair and makeup artist?

Typically, wedding hair and makeup artists offer packages that include additional guests. However, you’ll want to factor in additional time if you plan for the same artist to cater to more people. Note that ideally, you shouldn’t be sharing your hair and makeup artist. As an example, if you need a quick touch-up between your first look photoshoot and the start of your wedding ceremony, if your makeup artist is finishing your last bridesmaid’s look, you will be stressed out about being on time. Secondly, bridal makeup is typically 3 to 5 times as expensive as a party look, so you’ll find that you may even want to work with a different hair & makeup artist for your Indian bridal look versus wedding hair and makeup for guests or the sister of the bride to stay within budget. We recommend having a separate artist or team of artists to focus on your mom, sisters, and bridesmaids for both logistical and cost reasons, ensuring peace of mind for you.

What is the complete role of a hair and makeup artist at my wedding?

At the minimum, this person is responsible for professionally applying makeup and styling your hair on the day of your wedding. They are expected to arrive well in advance of the wedding time (often this can be in the early hours of the morning), and come prepared with professional supplies. However, certain services are optional or add-ons and will need to be articulated clearly in advance to the artist, if required. Examples include:

Hair + Makeup for additional members of the wedding party
Wedding dress or saree draping (this can be important if you’re wearing a saree or lehenga that needs pleating work)
Tikka, Jhoomar, Passa, or other headpieces. You’ll want to let your artist know ahead of time whether or not you need their help with accessories.
Multiple days of services (for additional wedding events)
Hair extensions, false lashes, and other additional accessories

Beyond hair and makeup, is there anything else I should look for in a good hair and makeup artist?

Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, and other Desi weddings are stressful! There is a time-sensitive schedule with lots of events mixed with lots of people and at times, family drama. Your hair and makeup artist is your day-of sidekick to help keep you calm and enjoy being pampered ahead of your big moments. Your time with your hair and makeup artist may be your only time without a million other people over the two to three days (aside from a couple of hours of sleep you get)! A great hair and makeup artist has been through the emotional and stressful moments of being a bride and feels like a friend during the process. Make sure you have a conversation with multiple hair and makeup artists to find someone that you click with and someone who will be there by your side when things get tough.

How much time should I plan for South Asian bridal hair and makeup?

Given how intricate and time-consuming Desi bridal looks can take, we recommend planning for a minimum of 2.5 to 3 hours for your hair and makeup. This range will give you enough time to also change into your saree, lehenga, or gown and down some water and a snack. If you don’t have at least 3 hours between events, you may want to consider just doing a partial hair and makeup change (e.g., touch up your hair and change your eye makeup) to make sure you’re not stressed in getting from the mehndi to the sangeet or from the wedding ceremony to the reception. Also keep in mind, that you may want to take pre-event pictures with your significant other, family, bridesmaids, or groomsmen, so factor in this additional photo-taking time when finalizing your timeline for your Desi wedding events.

What skincare routines can I follow to make sure my skin is well-rested, and I have the bridal glow on my wedding day?

While your makeup artist will cover up any scarring or breakouts, it’s important to do what you can to have healthy skin, leading up to your wedding. Ask your hair and makeup artist for suggestions based on your skin type (dry, oily, T zone) and skin concerns (prone to breakouts, marks, dark circles etc). We’ve included a couple of easy tips that you can use not just for your wedding, but even after your wedding to keep your skin and hair glowing and nourished:

Exfoliate your skin 1-2x a week and treat yourself to a professional facial the week before your wedding. We recommend getting a facial at least 2-3 days before your wedding in case it leaves any red or splotchy skin.
Use a lip masque and exfoliant to get rid of any dry flakes and make sure your lips are well moisturized for all of the lipsticks and glosses that come your way.
Make sure you drink 8-10 glasses of water. Water helps flush the toxins out and gives you glowing skin.
Sleep for at least 8 hours of sleep. Even while an amazing makeup artist can do their tricks, a well-rested body and face will give you a glow that makeup can’t.
Avoid spicy, greasy, and oily foods
Avoid heat treatments like straightening or blow-drying your hair on hot, and use deep conditioning treatments and oils to make sure your hair is healthy and glossy.

What is the difference between airbrush, HD, and traditional makeup?

There are three main types of makeup methods. We’ve highlighted the differences below and encourage you to discuss your skin wants and needs with your makeup artist to pick the right style. Makeup artists focused on South Asian wedding makeup will usually opt for airbrush or HD, but you can always ask for traditional makeup.

Traditional makeup is the oldest form and usually has the thickest consistency. Brides opt for it because it has the most formulations to match differing skin tones and skin types.
Airbrush foundation is often water or silicon-based, so it is much thinner than traditional foundations. Makeup is applied as spray in layers, which allows for a more finished and flawless look, without feeling cakey. Given that it’s not as creamy as traditional foundations, airbrush makeup is better for brides with oily or well-moisturized skin. If your skin is dry, airbrush makeup can be flakey. Finally, the main reason brides go for airbrush is that it’s more likely to be sweat and tear-resistant and is built to last until you take it off with a makeup remover.
HD, high definition, makeup was created for celebrities on screen, so that makeup would cover up all of their blemishes even with the brightest lights and stay through the hours of being on camera with limited touch-ups. HD makeup is applied with traditional brushes and blenders and uses more expensive, HD makeup. While it takes longer than airbrush makeup to apply, HD makeup was developed for all skin types and skin tones, so even if you have dry skin, it should work wonders for you without feeling or looking cakey.

I’m the groom. Do I need any hair and makeup?

YES! Your significant other has spent countless hours getting ready to marry you in front of your family and friends. These memories will be captured forever! The least you can do is get a few touch-ups. We recommend that grooms get a facial and a mani/pedi a couple of days before the wedding events start and light touch-ups on the day of. Examples of touch-ups include concealer to cover up any acne or scarring and dark circles; powder to cover up the shine; and a touch of highlighter to make sure your face sparkles in the right places for the photos.

What makeup trends are you seeing for Desi brides in 2021?

Looking at our makeup artists in Texas, we see a couple of trends for this year:

It’s all about natural for South Asian brides. Just like 2020, we are seeing makeup that looks natural. Brides are choosing lighter makeup looks with a focus on eyes and brows. While evening events, like the sangeet and reception, have a heavier focus on bolder makeup, especially eyes, brides are staying away from a ton of color and migrating to the natural look. While some people think natural makeup might be simple wedding makeup, it still requires the same time and process as a bolder look.
Dewy look: We’ve seen that brides have opted for contoured cheeks and highlighter in the right places to make sure they shine on camera. The dewy look enhances the bride’s cheekbones and sharpens her overall features while still giving her a natural look.
Muted lip colors. While there are Desi brides who have chosen the traditional bold red, we’ve seen a lot more brides go for natural pink and nude lipstick hues. Especially with darker eyes and the dewy look, natural lips make the entire look feel cohesive.
Bold brows. Brows are in this year. We recommend growing out your brows until right before your wedding so you can lean in with thicker brows and have your makeup artist accentuate them with brow gel and liner.

What hair trends are you seeing for Desi brides in 2021?

Like previous years, we are still seeing a mix of buns, braids, and open hair for brides. Indian brides tend to go for the bun for their wedding ceremony and sometimes accessorize their buns with flowers. We’ve seen a lot of Desi brides go for a braid with florals for their mehndi or sangeet, and for the reception, we see that many dulhaans opt for a glam Hollywood look or open hair with loose curls. As with previous years, accessories are in, so whether it’s baby’s breath, roses, stone-encrusted combs & barrettes, hair vines, or other hair clips, asking your hairstylist to add the smallest accessory can really make your entire look sparkle.

Who are the top South Asian wedding makeup artists in Texas?

Click the below links to start exploring the best makeup artists The Desi Bride has curated for you in Texas.

TIP: Get FULL clarity on the duration of your wedding, before booking your hair and makeup. Will you host multiple days of ceremonies and events? Alternatively, if extended services are out of your budget, hire a professional makeup artist for your main wedding day, and DIY or hire less expensive artists for other events (grah shanti, sangeet, mehndi, pithi etc…).