I was initially so impressed by what appeared to be a standout makeup artist. After paying €600 to secure my wedding date and arranging a trial, I was incredibly excited. I had been messaging and sending voice notes to Elena and couldn't wait for my trial. I even booked flights and a hotel specifically for it, making a special trip to Italy just for this appointment.
On the day of the trial, however, someone else arrived -- her part-time partner -- which completely took me by surprise as this had never been communicated beforehand. Although I was taken aback, I chose to remain open-minded. Unfortunately, the experience only became more disappointing from there. Despite sharing feedback throughout, the makeup was not to my taste. My hair had so much product applied that it felt stiff and heavy, nothing like the soft, bouncy curls I had envisioned. When I expressed my concerns, I was told I would need to change my haircut to achieve the look I wanted. No alternative styles were suggested or tried, and I sat for nearly three hours for just one look. I left feeling completely deflated and devastated. After the trial, I realised I couldn't walk down the aisle feeling that way and made the difficult decision to cancel. When I contacted Elena, her attitude shifted dramatically -- from warm and bubbly to defensive and argumentative. Rather than acknowledging my experience, she became confrontational and unwilling to take any responsibility. She also began sending emails that added unnecessary stress during what was supposed to be a special time. Instead of enjoying my time in Italy as a bride-to-be, I found myself upset and anxious, with the situation overshadowing the trip. When I requested a refund -- with more than six months until my wedding -- she refused. The entire experience left me feeling undervalued and unheard. Brides already carry enough pressure while planning their weddings. Based on my experience, I would strongly encourage other brides to proceed with caution. This was not the supportive, professional experience I had hoped for, and it added avoidable stress to what should have been a joyful chapter. read more
