Beauty consultants near you

A facial is a restorative cosmetic treatment for the skin on your face. Facials can be performed by a licensed cosmetician, esthetician, dermatologist or other qualified provider. Spas,  medi-spas and other skin care centers offer facials. Most offer different types of facials that address the most pressing skin care needs such aging, dryness, sagging, pigmentation, etc.

The national average cost for a facial is $60-$80. More complex facials, such as microdermabrasion or chemical peel, will cost more, as will services provided by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. The products used can also affect the cost of your facial; high-end creams and serums will likely result in a higher cost. For most non-medical facials, the practitioner will perform a skin assessment, determining your skin type and learning about your lifestyle, diet and skin care concerns. Then the facialist will cleanse and exfoliate the skin, extract any blackheads and clear clogged pores, give a facial massage, apply a treatment mask and then apply moisturizers. Typically facials are relaxing and restorative, leaving your skin clear and dewy.

Image consultants help people look and feel their best by coaching them on their clothing and beauty choices. An image consultant can be hired for a one-time occasion, such as an awards ceremony, big birthday party or photo shoot. The consultant will recommend clothing, hair and makeup to suit the occasion either using either what the client owns or taking a targeted shopping trip. For a complete fashion consultation, the image consultant will assess your wardrobe, your lifestyle, and what you hope to present to the world, and will then determine the best colors, styles and cuts for you. You can get help streamlining your professional appearance, adjusting your style after a change in body size, solidifying a new look, or finding clothing to fit one area of your life like work or weekends. Image consultants also provide closet edits, going through your clothing and paring out what isn’t right for the look you’re trying to achieve. Personal shopping is another service that image consultants provide. After an image assessment, they can either shop with you or shop on your behalf to find you key pieces you need.

To find a fashion consultant, start by browsing portfolios online. Styling is a visual art, so finding a fashion consultant who fits the style you desire is key. Great personal stylists aren’t confined to one style, but if you’re seeking a hipper, fashion-forward vibe, you’d do well to find someone with a modern portfolio, while a fashion consultant with a consistently refined style could be a better fit if you’d prefer a more conservative look. Reading reviews is also helpful for learning more about the fashion consultant. Research their training, background and years of experience. After reviewing websites and Instagram accounts, meet with the stylist in person to learn how well they fit your personality; some fashion consultants offer a free phone consultation prior to hiring. Before hiring, make sure you clearly understand their terms of service and payment.

Personal shoppers take the pain out of having good fashion. Personal shoppers are paid professionals who work with women, men or children who need style assistance. If you are stuck in a fashion rut, are unsure how to dress in a way that flatters your body, need to revamp your image, or want a more professional career look, personal shoppers can help. Personal shoppers identify the look their client wants to achieve and purchase the necessary clothing and accessories to achieve it. The process often begins with an initial consultation with the client to understand their style goals. This consultation may include a closet “audit,” an assessment of the client’s current wardrobe to see what items can be eliminated and what must be purchased to achieve the desired style.

The client and the personal shopper can shop together, selecting items as a team. The personal shopper may also shop on behalf of the client, then bring all items to the client for a final decision. A third option is pre-shopping, where the personal shopper reaches the store(s) ahead of the client and sets aside clothing for the client to try on, expediting the whole process — a win for anyone who hates spending time in the mall. Personal shoppers can also be hired for one-time events such as weddings, vacations or birthdays. You can also enlist a personal shopper to do your gift shopping for you. Overall, a personal shopper is an investment in making good style choices.

A hair extension is a beauty product designed to give you the appearance of longer and/or fuller hair. Hair extensions are made of synthetic material or real human hair and are attached to your natural hair by a variety of techniques such as a weave (sewing), hot fusion, tape-in, cold fusion, bonding, metal clips, micro ring or micro loops, and more. The type of technique you select as well as the quality and volume of the hair you choose all affect cost. Hair extensions can last anywhere from three weeks to six months, depending on the application technique. For example, tape-in extensions may last approximately four weeks, while extensions applied using a hot fusion technique may stay in for up to six months. The hot fusion technique takes longer, costs more, and requires more training on the part of the hair stylist, but the result is more natural-looking extensions that can be washed and heat-styled with confidence.

A fashion consultant is a paid professional who will advise you on what to wear and how to wear it to fit your desired lifestyle or career goals. A fashion consultant can provide many services including personal shopping, closet audits, beauty consultations, style consultations and ongoing seasonal services. A fashion consultant often has a design or fashion background (although this is not required) and an innate sense of style. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut with the colors, cuts and designs we think suit us. A fashion consultant comes in with fresh eyes and provides constructive feedback to guide your style choices.

During your initial meeting, your fashion consultant will take stock of your current clothing selection and learn what you hope to achieve. They’ll identify core wardrobe pieces you need, as well as advise you how to wear items together. Many consultants create style lookbooks for their clients explaining things like exactly which shoes to wear with what pants and how to accessorize each look. Fashion consultants are a great option for people who are updating their style due to age, career changes or body changes, or who are just ready for a new look and feel. Most fashion consultants charge by the hour, with some offering packages and others working from a retainer.

A mobile hairdresser is a cosmetologist trained to cut, color and style hair who can provide hairdressing services at remote locations. Often, mobile hairdressers are hired for events such as weddings, bachelorette parties, prom night, birthdays and other occasions. The hairstylist can come to your location to do your hair, or provide hairstyling for your group.

For events, mobile hairstylists more often provide updos and formal styles than highlights or hair color. Mobile hairdressers bring all the necessary hairstyling tools and products such as lotions and sprays to create your look. The national average cost for a hairstylist is $70-$110. Pricing for different services can vary greatly depending on stylist reputation, training and regional rates. For example, haircuts could range between $35 and $150, while hair coloring services could range in price from $65 to $200. Some mobile hairstylists may include the cost of travel in their fees, while other may have it as an added charge, such as 50 cents to $1 for each mile beyond their standard service range.

First, pull up a list of nearby hairstylists on Thumbtack, and read their profiles to get an understanding of what they specialize in — hair coloring, cutting, extensions, wedding hairstyles, etc. Then, start searching for stylists who have high ratings and customer reviews. You should also spend some time looking at photos that showcase their work. That way, you can determine if a stylist has the experience and skills needed to achieve the look you want. 

When you’ve identified at least three hairstylists you like, ask them for a cost estimate and make sure they have the proper credentials.

Hair extensions are synthetic or real human hair integrations that add volume and length to your hair. Hairstylists are trained in different techniques to attach extensions to your hair. The cost of extensions can vary greatly depending on the technique used to apply the hair, as well as the type of hair you select. Synthetic hair is typically the least expensive, human hair is next on the pricing scale, remy hair is next, and what is called “virgin” human hair is generally the most sought-after and most expensive. Remy hair signifies that all the cuticles are intact and running in the same direction, making for smoother hair extensions in the long term. Hair is deemed virgin when all the hair is from one donor and has never undergone any chemical processing. Hair prices will vary from company to company; here are some examples of hair from online retailers.

• Virgin strands (25 strands weighing approximately 1 gram each) for hot fusion application: $44 per bundle.
• Virgin hair weave (approximately 4 ounces per package): $149 each.

Here are some sample application costs from hairstylists.

• Full sew-in: $175-$200 or more.
• Partial sew-in: $125 or more.
• Micro-link weft extensions: $300 or more.
• Full-bonded extensions: $75 or more.

A wedding makeup artist can ensure a flawless look on your big day. Finding the perfect person isn’t all about price, though. Here are tips for choosing the right makeup artist for your wedding:

• Research before reaching out. Wedding makeup artists should have an online presence with portfolios of their work. Find someone with an aesthetic you love.
• Read reviews. You want a wedding makeup artist who’ll be on time, do beautiful work, and add a positive vibe to your day. Pay attention if previous clients report bad experiences with a makeup artist.
• Consider skin tones. If your bridal party has a range of skin tones, make sure your wedding makeup artist and assistants are experienced and talented working with everyone.
• Is your top pick available on your date? If so, put down a deposit to secure their services.
• Confirm rates and payment. Clearly discuss prices and payment plans, and sign a detailed contract so there are no surprises on your wedding day.