Every step of the process of working with Pin Me Up was so easy, from booking to the trial to my…read morewedding day! I don't know much about hair & makeup, but with the little descriptions I gave on what I did and didn't like in a look, they were able to transform into exactly what I was looking for. I came prepared to my trial with lots of inspo pictures and both my hair and makeup artists executed the looks nearly perfectly! The final touch call after my trial but before my wedding day left me feeling very confident the HMU part of my day would run smoothly. On my wedding day, we discussed my feedback from my trial and it was clear they came prepared knowing what changes to make. My final looks were better than I ever could have imagined! They also worked very efficiently and kept us on schedule all morning. I wasn't worried about timing at all. I'm SO glad I used Pin Me Up, I can't recommend them enough! They're incredibly professional, responsive to any questions you have, and prepared to make you look and feel incredible on your wedding day!

Pin Me Up accommodated my very last minute request (Thursday night form fill on the website) for…read morewedding guest hair and make up (on Saturday). I had an appointment somewhere else but decided to go with Pin Me Up because they were able to come to the hotel and the cost was similar. I don't know much about hair and makeup and I wanted to look nice for a black tie wedding. I knew I couldn't pull it off on my own so I'm so glad I decided to spend the money on myself because Lily made me look stunning! She was very friendly, outgoing and helpful. I didn't have a vision or ideas for what I wanted and she asked the right questions to get to a great look. My updo was especially exciting since my hair is long, thin and straight.

Audrey's team of stylists, Christa & Natalia, came and did my and my bridesmaids' hair and makeup…read moreat my wedding venue the morning of my wedding. I could not be more thrilled with the results! Not only were they kind and professional, but myself and my bridesmaids all said we have never had better hair or makeup services! After 12+ hours, my hair and makeup continued to look flawless. On the back end, Audrey was a pleasure to work with setting up the services. I was especially grateful that she had availability for my wedding as I contacted her in May about a September wedding! Overall I am just blown away by every moment of my experience with Chicago Makeup & Hair Professionals and I can't wait to recommend them to my friends!

Review from my wife - Audrey did my hair and makeup for my…read morewedding, and she was wonderful! I know absolutely nothing about hairstyling or makeup and she was so helpful and patient, both during the preview and the day of the wedding. She was very responsive to inquiries, and accommodating about my timeline and the fact that I was out of state. She is really knowledgeable, but also listened to find out what I was looking for and then was able to match that to what she thought would look good on me. The day of the wedding, she and Natasha were again really helpful and patient, which was great, as most of the party had little experience with formal hair and makeup. They also made getting ready more fun and less stressful. Everybody was ready on time and looked lovely! I would very much recommend Chicago Hair and Makeup Professionals, and I appreciated all their help!

Tracy and her assistant were incredible!! Our experience began with a yelp search for an…read moreaffordable hair and makeup artist in the Chicago Area. Goddess Effect Artistry immediately caught my interest and, after a quick email exchange with Tracy, we had a trial set up. She was so sweet and accommodating, going so far as to send me a list of things to do in her area since my fiance and I had to rent a car to get out to her. That level of personal service extended all throughout her work with us. On the day of the wedding, she got the hair and makeup of two mothers, two bridesmaids, and two brides done in no time flat. Everyone looked beautiful and, most importantly to me, looked like themselves! I hate when makeup overshadows someone's natural beauty but Tracy and her assistant did a great job of highlighting how gorgeous all of our ladies already are. They were kind, funny, and set everyone at ease. Only two of the six ladies present had ever had their makeup done professionally and all six were thrilled with the end results. Everyone's makeup stayed fresh and there wasn't a hair out of place throughout the entire night. The airbrush makeup left us all feeling as if we weren't covered in caked on pounds but instead, as if we had fresh faces! The best part was that it was easy to take off at the end of the night (we were exhausted and, had it been a difficult clean up process, we both might have just slept with bobby pins and lashes!) If you are looking for someone to listen to your needs and make you look your best, look no further. Tracy is the best!

Loved working with Tracy and Crystal for my wedding! They did a phenomenal job with my makeup and…read morehair as well as all my bridesmaids. We all loved the airbrushed makeup! Very responsive to emails and answering questions. Definitely recommend for your upcoming event!

Working with Anomalie Beauty for both my bridal and bridesmaids' hair and makeup was a wonderful…read moreexperience. The team was communicative, attentive, and genuinely warm - they took the time to understand the vision each of us had and delivered beautifully. We all felt and looked our best and couldn't have been happier with the results! I'd wholeheartedly recommend Anomalie to any bride searching for a wedding hair and makeup team!

See attached image below: Anomalie Beauty Agency telling me how much of a "nightmare" it would be…read moreto be "running around looking for vendors when you're about to marry" before taking our deposit -- only to terminate our contract two months before our wedding. I have serious concerns regarding their review practices. They have 5 star reviews on almost every review website, which is why we hired them. However, after I was told my contract was being cancelled, an Anomalie Beauty Agency who was supposed to do my hair reached out and told me directly that customers are incentivized to leave reviews, and I have communications that I believe document review incentives. I am sharing what I was personally told and what my communications show, and what I can substantiate. My experience throughout the booking process was that communication changed dramatically after they received our thousands of dollars deposit. Before booking, I was told I could reach out through their texting number "24/7" and they'd reply same day. They hassled me at all hours of the day and night to get their deposit. After booking and paying, I was told responses could take 3-4 business days. As my wedding approached, I learned that my hair and makeup trials would be separate. I was simply trying to understand who was doing my hair, who was doing my makeup, and how I was supposed to schedule everything. In my experience, when I voiced my concerns and frustrations and asked for clarification, Anomalie emailed me stating that they had determined they were "no longer the appropriate service provider" for my wedding and terminated our contract effective immediately. Again: my wedding is two months away. I also attempted to speak by phone with Dani Samson, the COO, who emailed me they were terminating our contract. She would not take my phone calls and insisted communication would only remain via email... very sketchy in my opinion... if you have nothing to hide, why do you need a paper trail? A bride should be able to ask questions, clarify who her artists are, and express concerns about communication without being left wondering whether her vendor might terminate her services shortly before her wedding. Anomalie Beauty Agency still has not provided me with a reason for why they cancelled our contract just 2 months before my wedding. Instead, they made sure to point out: "As outlined in your agreement, Anomalie Beauty Agency reserves the right to discontinue services when we determine that the client relationship is no longer a suitable fit." For any bride considering hiring Anomalie, I think that language is important to be aware of. Hire artists directly instead! Disclaimer: This post reflects my personal experience and opinions based on my interactions and communications with Anomalie Beauty Agency. Statements regarding my own experience are based on my recollection and the communications available to me. Any references to alleged business practices are identified as such and are not presented as independently verified facts beyond what I was personally told or what I believe my communications document. Nothing in this post is intended to state or imply facts beyond what I personally experienced or can substantiate. EDIT TO ADD: To clarify, I did not say Anomalie Beauty Agency requires clients to leave reviews. Anomalie's own response confirms that it offers an optional rewards program in which clients may receive "future-service rewards" for sharing a video testimonial or creating a social media post about their experience. In my opinion, offering a reward in exchange for testimonial or promotional content is an incentive. This is separate from my statement that I was personally told by an Anomalie employee that customers are incentivized to leave reviews.

Catherine did the makeup for my wife and her bridesmaids on our wedding day. I don't know much…read moreabout makeup and colors but my wife looked at Catherine's Instagram and she really liked her makeup work so I hired Catherine as a gift to my wife. One thing I know for sure on the big day - I was BLOWN AWAY BY MY WIFE'S BEAUTY. She looks absolutely stunning and gorgeous!! I can't ask for a better gift on our wedding day! Thank you Catherine!

After following up countlessly with Capital One to dispute the charges we were unsuccessful in…read moreobtaining a refund for services not rendered. We were cancelled by the company after complaining about the level of service we were provided and the full amount of what had been paid was retained by the company and refused for refund after this horrific experience. This company failed to act in the best interest of us (the client) and utilized business practices that were not advertised when we signed on with them to take advantage of our trusting nature which resulted in us having to hire a new hair stylist which was not budgeted for. Absolutely horrific experience, its sad to see a company take advantage of an industry that is supposed to make people feel special and appreciated on their big day.

I was completely turned off by the cost of bridal hair and makeup. I was so happy when I found…read moreSamina Raneaz to my hair and makeup for my wedding on 4/20/13- she's so affordable it's ridiculous and she's so very creative. She's a graduate of Pivot Point Academy. She did pin curls for me because I wanted a 1940s vintage look - I danced all night and my curls & makeup stayed put after 12 hours and my hair looked great the next day! I'm Asian so people have a hard time working with my hair so I was so happy my hair looked so great and it wasn't hard with spray but soft and touchable. I knew she was perfect when she did my trial and was so attentive and did a red lip for me when I didn't think I could wear that color and it totally worked. She did my entire bridal party and my 16 year old daughter looked so beautiful & youthful! My sister-in-law wanted a quick hair cut and she was so accommodating, she added awesome layers and she did it DRY! My sister-in-law loved her hair! She was right on time when she showed up at my hotel and was awesome to be around, which is important because I was anxious but her vibe & music totally relaxed me.

I used Rebecca's services for my wedding in Chicago and it was better than I could've imagined…read more Rebecca did my bridal make up along with all of my bridesmaids, flower girl and both mothers and did a fantastic job. She executed my vision perfectly and was able to handle everyone's different personalities and skin types. I really enjoyed how Rebecca asked questions about each person and their personalty and makeup tendencies during my trial. Also, not many people can handle Asian makeup which was my main concern but Rebecca has a ton of experience with Asian brides. The makeup also stayed ALL day through the ceremony and reception - I didn't have to do anything to touch up except some lip color. My lashes last through lots of crying too. Rebecca also is very calm and sweet which was a major bonus on the morning of a super stressful day!!

Susan was amazing! I was ecstatic with my makeup and eyelash extensions (which lasted days) for our…read morewedding! Susan's personality was kind, fun, and professional! When I returned from makeup, everyone said, "Wow!!" HIGHLY recommend - plus their pricing is great! Love!!!

It's not too often that I splurge on getting my makeup done. Actually, professional makeup…read moreapplication is usually reserved only for weddings. And intended to match some frothy, overdone bridesmaid dress. As in some derivative of plum on my lips to match my eggplant dress. As in overdrawn lip liner which results in a Pamela Anderson-esque look. I flip through magazines and study the page when I see a M.A.C. cosmetics ad. Bright pink eye shadow, feathers, glittery eyelashes... scary stuff. Haute couture makeup has its place, but not parked on my face. Ladies, you saw SATC the movie, right? Think Carrie on her wedding day with the crazy dark lipstick and the bird-thing on her head. Not.for.me. So, I felt like looking pretty one night for no particular reason. Makeup artiste extraordinaire Laura Black and her big back of tricks made a house call to my apartment! Even though I cringe at the thought of someone being so close to my eyes with sharp tools such as tweezers and eyelash curlers, Laura put me at ease. She has a soft, fluttery touch. Really, I was so relaxed I almost fell asleep! Laura is professional and friendly, and talks just enough. Everyone knows a stylist that talks so much that you feel tired when it's all said and done. Beauty treatments should be relaxing, and my makeup application was exactly that. Please don't take this as vain-- but when I saw the girl in the mirror looking back at me, I was impressed. Slightly awestruck, I kept looking... this was a much better version of the usual me, but still me. I like that. I never wear base, but Laura's expert application was so feather light and natural that I just ended up with a flawless canvas. I had somehow developed cheekbones I didn't know existed. My lips were tinted a glossy, sexy, nude-ish shade--a shade which I previously believed I was unable to wear. My eyes, however, were my favorite part. Smoky, sparkly and sexy without the vamp. The sparkle? Courtesy of a super-cool M.A.C. pigment powder. My green eyes popped! I took the show to the road that evening. Upon seeing me, one of my male friends immediately remarked "Oh--I'm so casual, and look at you!" I was only wearing jeans and a tank, but he knew something was different. Then I ran into another acquaintance, one that I had not seen for over a year. His take? "Wow, Jelena... I don't know how to say this, but you look amazing... not that you don't usually [insert foot in the mouth], but, um... you look really different... hot!" The makeup lasted all night, alas a "bombshell" for only an evening. I was even a little sad to scrub the beauty from my face when I got home. As I kept telling Laura... thank you, you're a goddess. What else would you call someone with such incredible transformative powers? Whether you're getting done-up for a wedding or just a night on the town, Laura's your girl.

I always walk away from makeup counters with a teeny bag full of overpriced crayons that I never…read moreintended on buying and a lump in my throat imaging the credit card receipt that I just shoved to the bottom of my purse. But hey, at least I got that free gift. The bright lights that make my skin look terrible and the gay guy at the counter that has better makeup on then I could ever dream of, make me feel like there is so much more that I could be doing with my face. I was beginning to feel especially inept with a makeup brush and guilty about all of the great products I had purchased over the years that barley made it out of the packaging. I decided to take action and I booked a makeup lesson. Enter Laura Black. Laura came to my house with her makeup case (which was about the size of a trunk you might pack for a month long voyage) and a fierce looking apron with every beauty do-hickey known to woman kind tucked away in its rightful pocket. With patience and excellent explanations Laura went to work on my face. She talked me though everything she was doing, from the motion in her wrist when applying color to the crease in the eye, to the reasoning behind dotting concealer on my lips. Now, I don't want to give away all of Laura's beauty tips here.....but you can be sure that she has plenty of them. From the colors to use for my face tone, to the sure-fire way to perfect blush.......I learned more from Laura in one hour then I have from reading thousands of makeup articles in Cosmo. And the best part? Laura used almost all of my own makeup and I didn't walk away from the lesson with a long list of "must buy's." When Laura was finished I hardly believed the reflection in the mirror. I didn't see makeup or colors, what I saw was a fresh-faced gorgeous version of myself. In my own best daydreams about my wedding, my sold our concert, and my Oscar acceptance speech, I've never looked that good. Since my makeup lesson, I have added a few minutes to my routine in the morning and I leave the house feeling more put together then before. But the best part is that now, when I am getting ready for a big night out, I actually look forward to spending time doing my makeup. What a difference it makes when you know what you're doing! Just the other night a friend told me how great my eye makeup looked. I started to tell her how I'd perfected the technique, then I thought better of it and just referred her to Laura Black.