As a professional makeup artist, protecting your business and reputation is crucial for growth and success. Drawing up a makeup artist contract is the best way to ensure your company and rights are protected, while also facilitating a sense of trust between you and the client. Misunderstandings happen, but with an ironclad contract in place, you always have your exact terms in writing. 

This article will provide a complete guide to drafting a makeup service agreement, including their benefits, what to include, a step-by-step guide to creating one, and makeup artist contract templates for you to customize for your own purposes. 

Why Do You Need a Contract As a Makeup Artist?

Having a makeup artist contract in place is essential. Below are two major reasons you’ll want to have a contract in place:

Demonstrates professionalism

A contract shows clients you take your business seriously. It can give them confidence in your abilities, reassuring them that you’re committed to providing them with quality service and delivering on their expectations. (And that you’ll actually show up on the day they need you!) 

Provides legal protection

It’s easy to misinterpret or misremember something said over the phone or even in person, which makes it that much more important you clearly define your terms in a solid contract. Your makeup artist contract is your lifeline when it comes to clarifying disputes. Regardless of how much you like a client or how long you’ve known them, it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect your business. 

Protect your time and your profits with GlossGenius’ No-Show Protection.

How to Write a Makeup Artist Contract in 7 Steps

Whether you’re crafting a bridal makeup contract or defining your special event offerings, your document should outline a few basic details to set your agreement. 

1. Include key information

The first order of business is to get your client’s full name and their contact information, including phone number, email, and physical address. You should also leave a space for the client to disclose any allergies or sensitivities to prevent skin damage or an otherwise negative reaction. 

2. Outline the specific makeup services 

Is this a wedding makeup contract? A dramatic makeover? Awards show glam? Detail the makeup service you’ll be providing, including any special requests, colors, or preferences the client wants for their beauty look. You should also include a time and date for any trial runs or consultations if needed before the big day. 

3. Establish a timeline

No client should assume they’re your only appointment for the day, nor should you let them monopolize your time. Include the date of the service, along with a time frame for when their session starts and ends so it’s clear exactly how much time they’re entitled to. 

4. Ask for payment information

Stipulate exactly which type of payment methods you accept: debit card, credit card, cash, Venmo (or other forms of contactless payments), along with when full payment or any deposits are due. Outline the pricing for each service you’ll provide so there are no surprises. Make certain the client understands that the contract is only valid once they render the initial deposit or total payment. 

Take payments and track transactions with GlossGenius’ Point Of Sale hardware.

5. Write out cancellation policies

It can be rough when a client has to cancel a service, and even rougher dealing with the financial fallout that comes after. You should thoroughly outline your cancellation policies, including the timeframe a client has to cancel before they lose their deposit, how much of a refund (if any) will get returned, and what expenses they’ll be responsible for if you’ve already paid for travel or lodging. It’s also a good idea to write out what happens in the event you as the artist are unable to deliver on your duties. 

6. Share client's responsibilities

Your makeup contract must detail what you expect from the client on the day of their service, such as arriving on time for the appointment, maintaining a clean and hygienic environment for you to do your work, expectations for client behavior, and any other requirements necessary to facilitate a seamless, glam experience. Make it clear that violating any of these terms may breach the contract, in which case the client will be fully responsible for any additional charges or expenses. 

7. Clarify intellectual property

Clarify who owns the rights to any photos or videos taken during the makeup service, and rules for posting your work on social media. Taking photos of your work is important for marketing your business and services, so it’s crucial that the client understands their image may be posted publicly and used on the internet. 

[CTA_MODULE]

Feel free to adapt the following makeup artist contract template for your own service agreements:

MAKEUP ARTIST CONTRACT

Date of contract: ___/___/___

‍

Makeup Artist: [Name / Business name]

Client name: ______________________________

Client phone number: ______________________________

Client address: ______________________________

Client email: ______________________________

‍

Please list any known allergies or sensitivities to makeup or cleansing products: ____________________________________________________________

‍

SERVICE INFO

Date of event: ___/___/___

Service start/end time: ___________________________

Location of appointment: ________________________________

Services requested: ________________________________

Extras or add-ons: ________________________________

‍

DEPOSITS, PAYMENTS, AND REFUNDS

___(Initial)___ Client agrees to pay 25% of their total service price as a non-refundable deposit.

___(Initial)___ Client agrees that the deposit is due upon signature of this contract to secure appointment, with no reservations made until receipt of payment. 

___(Initial)___ Client agrees that full payment for their makeup service, including Artist expenses for travel, lodging, and parking, is due 3 days before their event, and failure to pay will result in a cancellation of their scheduled appointment.

___(Initial)___ Client agrees that should they need to cancel the appointment for any reason, they must inform the Artist at least 21 days before the scheduled date or face an additional 50% payment penalty to their deposit. Client will not be entitled to a refund on their deposit for cancellations made at any time. 

___(Initial)___ Client agrees that any extra expenses or fees paid by the Artist for travel, lodging, and parking will be reimbursed immediately upon cancellation.

___(Initial)___ Client agrees that should the event get canceled for reasons beyond their control (whether due to medical emergencies or natural weather events), they will only be responsible for paying their initial deposit plus travel/lodging fees.

‍

LIABILITIES AND INDEMNIFICATION

The client agrees to hold harmless the Artist for any allergic reactions, costs, or damages that may arise from breach of this contract. While the Artist is responsible for proper hygiene practices of their gear and equipment, the Client acknowledges that they will not pursue claims against the Artist if they have not disclosed all of the necessary information to facilitate a safe experience. Any amendments made to this contract must be done in writing and agreed upon by both parties for validity. 

‍

SIGNATURE

I, ______Client Name_______, agree to the full stated cost of ______$$______ for my makeup appointment and all the terms listed in the above document. 

‍

Client printed name: ____________________________

Client signature: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

‍

Artist printed name: ____________________________

Artist signature: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

‍

[CTA_MODULE]

5 Tips for Makeup Artist Contracts

Writing a makeup artist contract doesn’t have to be daunting. Here, we list some helpful tips to help you draft the perfect document for your makeup business needs. 

1. Use plain language

Write the contract in plain language that is simple to understand for both you and the client. The easier you can express your terms, the less likely there’ll be confusion or misunderstandings. Business contracts aren’t the time for you to flex your legalese – they’re straightforward documents meant to set expectations and define the parameters of your service. 

2. Review and edit the contract

Typos and grammar mistakes aren’t just unprofessional, but in some cases, misspellings (or even a misplaced comma) can lead to a whole new interpretation of your terms that may end up weakening your protection. Triple-check your wording to verify the clarity of your terms and eliminate any ambiguity in regards to your business services. 

3. Discuss the contract with your client 

Before your client signs the contract, go through each of your terms and conditions to make sure they fully understand what they’re agreeing to. Many people often sign contracts without reading carefully, and while that’s not an excuse to violate the terms, affirming that you’re both on the same page can protect your artist/client relationship and avoid tarnishing your reputation. 

4. Keep a physical copy 

In addition to a digital copy, store a hard copy of the signed contract in a safe and secure location. Emails get lost, hard drives get corrupted, and sometimes the event you’re at has limited Wi-Fi service. Keeping physical copies can bolster your protection by ensuring you can always gain access to the documents you need. 

5. Consult a legal professional

The last thing you need is to find out the terms you’ve laid out in your makeup artist contract are invalid and unenforceable. Check with an attorney (or other qualified professional) to certify that your conditions do not violate state laws or your clients’ rights so you can avoid any legal complications later.

Scale Your Makeup Business with GlossGenius

A well-crafted contract can do a lot for your business, such as shield you from liability, foster trust with your clients, and protect your profits. They can take a bit of work and consultation to get right, but the security they provide your business is well worth the effort. Whether you’re putting together a bridal makeup contract or drafting an agreement for a special event, you can put both your and your clients’ minds at ease knowing you’ve captured it all in a legally binding document. 

GlossGenius is the ultimate partner for makeup artists to help scale your business and streamline your daily operations. With features like Online Booking, you can have clients filling your calendar and waitlists in no time. Our Marketing features offer SMS and email campaigns to make it easier to attract new customers and retain loyal patrons. With Client Notifications, your valued clientele can get automated confirmations and reminders so they never miss an appointment. 

Try GlossGenius now and you’ll get 14 days free!

‍

This information is provided for general educational purposes only. For legal, cybersecurity, or compliance advice specific to your business or situation, please consult a professional.