FAQ'S

We have compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions below. If you don't see the question or answer you are looking for below, please feel free to send us a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can!

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What services do you offer?

We provide professional bridal beauty services tailored to meet each client's unique vision and style. Our offerings include:

Flawless Makeup Application – including traditional and HD quality for a long-lasting, photo-ready finish.
Elegant Hair Styling – customized to complement your outfit, face shape, and personal preferences, with expertise in working with hair extensions.
Wardrobe Styling – including dupatta setting, bridal jewelry placement, and overall outfit coordination to ensure a picture-perfect final look.
Sari Draping Services – available with experienced stylists upon request.

We specialize in South Asian bridal beauty and are committed to delivering a luxurious, stress-free experience that honors your individuality and cultural traditions.

What types of products do you use?

We carefully curate our makeup kits with a blend of high-end, professional-grade products and trusted private-label essentials to deliver exceptional results for all skin types and tones. Our kits include industry-leading brands such as NARS, DIOR, CHANEL, Makeup by Mario, Charlotte Tilbury, M·A·C, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Urban Decay, Inglot, Estée Lauder, Patrick Ta, Makeup Forever, Morphe, Fenty Beauty, Giorgio Armani, NYX, Sephora PRO, Tarte, Too Faced, Rare Beauty, and more.

We use HD (High Definition) and camera-ready formulas that are designed to enhance your features under any lighting condition—perfect for photography and videography. Our products are selected not only for their luxurious finish but also for long-wear durability, offering waterproof, smudge-proof, and sweat-resistant options to keep you flawless throughout your celebration.

For details on longevity and maintenance, please refer to the “Touch-Ups” section below.

Do you sanitize your makeup/hair tools and brushes?

Our Commitment to Sanitation & Hygiene
Your safety and comfort are our top priorities. We follow strict sanitation protocols to ensure the highest level of cleanliness and professionalism in every service. Our team of artists is thoroughly trained in industry-standard hygiene practices.

All brushes and tools are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each use.
Disposable applicators are used for products like lip gloss, mascara, and eyeliner—especially when working with bridal parties or multiple clients.
Makeup products are regularly disinfected with professional-grade alcohol to maintain cleanliness and prevent cross-contamination.

We are deeply committed to providing you with not only beautiful results, but also a safe, hygienic, and luxurious beauty experience.

What Type of Foundations and Skin Prep Do You Use?

At M-Sutra Bride, we use a carefully curated selection of high-performance, luxury and professional-grade foundations that deliver a flawless, radiant finish without the need for airbrush application.

Some of the brands we work with include:
Dior, NARS, Giorgio Armani, Estée Lauder, Charlotte Tilbury, M·A·C, Makeup Forever, Fenty Beauty, and more. These formulas are specifically chosen for their HD quality, long-wear durability, and ability to look stunning in both natural light and photography.

🌿 Skin Prep Matters Most

Before any makeup is applied, we focus on thorough skincare preparation, which is tailored to your skin type and event needs. Our prep process includes:

Hydrating and balancing the skin
Priming with silicone-free or smoothing primers based on your texture
Color correcting (if needed)
Using setting techniques to ensure the makeup wears beautifully throughout the day/night

This combination of modern foundations, expert tools, and intentional prep allows us to create a finish that mimics the smooth, even look of airbrush makeup—while feeling more breathable and looking more natural up close.

Do you have experience working with my skin type and tone?

Absolutely. Our team of trained, professional makeup artists has extensive experience working with all skin tones and types. Whether your complexion is deep, fair, olive, tan, or anywhere in between, we have the expertise and products to complement and enhance your natural beauty.

We also understand and work confidently with a variety of skin concerns, including redness, dark circles, texture, scarring, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. Our goal is to create a flawless, radiant finish that looks stunning both in person and on camera—so you can feel confident and look unforgettable on your special day.

Can you work with my hair to get the desired style I Want?

Yes! Our experienced and professionally trained hair stylists are skilled in working with all hair types and textures—including coarse, thick, curly, fine, or straight hair. During your trial session, we assess your hair’s texture, length, and volume to understand how best to bring your vision to life.

We encourage you to bring inspiration photos of styles you love, so we can align with your aesthetic and offer personalized recommendations tailored to your hair type. Whether you're envisioning a sleek updo, soft curls, or voluminous waves, we’re here to make it happen.

To help you achieve your desired look, we also offer hair extensions, hair padding (stuffers), and volume-enhancing techniques as needed.

When should I book my trial session?

We recommend scheduling your trial session as early as possible, ideally at least 4-8 weeks before your event date. This allows us ample time to discuss your vision, try out different colors and styles, and determine what will complement you best for your big day.

Your trial is also a chance to build a comfortable rapport with your artist(s) and ensure you feel confident in the look we’ll be creating. It’s the perfect time to share any preferences, feedback, or changes—your satisfaction is our top priority, and we want you to feel 100% happy, relaxed, and radiant on your special day.

Bridal Homework:

At M-Sutra Bride, we believe that the best results come from collaboration. Our Bridal Homework helps us match you with the ideal artist(s) and ensures we’re fully aligned with your vision.

We encourage all our Brides-to-Be to take an active role in shaping their dream look by doing a bit of prep before your trial or consultation. This includes:

Exploring bridal beauty looks online, in magazines, or on social media.
Collecting inspiration images for hair, makeup, and henna that reflect your personal style.
Noting any specific features you love—whether it’s a soft glam eye, romantic updo, or bold lip.

Before your trial, we’ll communicate with you via phone or email to review your ideas, preferences, and expectations. This way, we arrive fully prepared to bring your perfect bridal look to life with confidence and clarity.

Bridal Consultation Facts:

At M-Sutra Bride, we require all brides who book a wedding session to schedule either a phone consultation or an in-person Bridal Preview Session prior to the big day. This is an essential part of our process, designed to ensure you feel fully confident in your bridal look and comfortable with your artist(s).

What to Expect:

During your Bridal Preview, you’ll meet your assigned artist(s) and collaborate on the complete look for your wedding and/or reception events.
You’ll have the opportunity to try one full makeup look of your choice, discuss airbrush vs. traditional makeup (airbrush included at no extra cost), and explore hair extension options if desired.
Not sure whether to go for an updo or loose waves? Want to explore soft glam vs. bold bridal makeup? Your trial is the perfect time to try out different styles and receive expert recommendations tailored to your features, hair texture, and overall vision.

Preview Options:

Full Makeup & Hair Preview – Approx. 2 hours at our studio.
Makeup-Only Preview + Verbal Hair Consult – Includes full makeup application and a detailed hairstyling discussion with Mitasha based on your hair type and desired look.

Mitasha is certified by Ash Kumar and Dress Your Face in both hair and makeup artistry and is well-equipped to guide you through styling options and product choices to suit your wedding needs.

Consultation Fee:

A non-refundable consultation fee of $275–$450+ is required on the day of your preview. This covers the time, effort, and premium supplies used to provide you with a personalized and luxurious experience.

💍 Bridal Consultation Facts:

Your journey to a flawless bridal look starts here.

At M-Sutra Bride, we believe in thoughtful preparation and personalized artistry. That’s why we require all brides who book a wedding session to complete either a phone consultation or an in-person Bridal Preview Session before the big day. This ensures you feel confident, cared for, and aligned with your artist(s) every step of the way.

🌸 What to Expect During Your Bridal Preview

Meet your designated artist(s) and discuss your vision for your wedding and/or reception look.
Try out one full makeup look of your choice to see how it photographs and wears.
Explore options for airbrush makeup (included at no extra charge) and discuss hair extensions or volume enhancers, if needed.
Unsure about makeup intensity or hairstyle? This is the time to explore updos vs. down styles, soft glam vs. bold looks, and get personalized advice on what suits you best.

💄 Preview Options

Full Makeup & Hair Preview
Approx. 2 hours at our studio. Includes both full makeup and hairstyling application.
Makeup-Only Preview + Verbal Hair Consultation
Includes a full makeup application by Mitasha, along with a detailed verbal consult on hairstyling ideas based on your hair texture, length, and vision.

Mitasha is proudly certified by both Ash Kumar and Dress Your Face in Hair and Makeup Artistry and is happy to answer all your bridal beauty questions.

💳 Consultation Fee

A non-refundable fee of $275–$450 is due the day of your Bridal Preview. This covers:

Professional time & preparation
Premium product usage
Personalized planning tailored to your event

We take pride in giving each bride a truly curated experience that reflects your unique beauty and style.

Can I do a trial run without booking a wedding package?

Absolutely! We welcome brides who want to experience our services before committing to a full wedding package.

The Bridal Preview Trial fee ranges from $275 to $500 (non-refundable) and is due at the start of your consultation.
Typically, brides book their wedding date first and schedule their preview closer to the wedding, once they have their jewelry and dupattas ready to complete their look. However, you may choose to have a preview before booking to see our work firsthand and finalize your vision.
If you love your look after the trial, we’ll proceed with signing the contract and collecting the booking fee—either at the end of your session or via email within 2 business days.

Our Bridal Preview Options:

Complete Bridal Preview

Try one full bridal look of your choice, including makeup and a full hairstyle using your natural hair.
Includes a verbal consultation on hair extensions and styling options.
Duration: 2–3 hours
Fee: $450

Makeup-Only Bridal Preview

Experience a full makeup application of your choice, including false lashes and the option for airbrush foundation.
Includes a verbal hair consultation to discuss styles suited to your hair texture and length.
Duration: 1–2 hours
Fee: $275

What is required to book a date?

To secure your wedding date with M-Sutra Bride, the following are required:

A signed contract outlining all services, timings, and event locations.
A consultation/trial session date scheduled in advance.
A consultation fee paid at the time of your trial or consultation.
A 20%–30% non-refundable booking deposit (retainer), which will be applied toward your total bridal package cost.

Steps to Complete Your Bridal Booking:

The contract is typically signed either in advance or at the end of your consultation/trial session. During this time, we finalize important details such as event timing(s) and locations.
The booking deposit of 20%–30% is due upon contract signing and counts toward your overall bridal package total.
The remaining balance must be paid in full 10 days to 2 weeks before your event date, either electronically via Venmo or Zelle.
On the day of your event, any gratuities or add-on service payments are kindly requested to be paid in cash at the start of our team’s service.

Can I have my maid-of-honor, mother, sister, or cousin at my Consultation Session?

Yes, you’re welcome to bring a guest or two to your Bridal Consultation or Preview Session—whether it's your maid-of-honor, mom, sister, or a close friend. We understand that getting input from loved ones can be helpful in finalizing your bridal look and making the experience even more special.

However, we do recommend keeping your guest list small and supportive, as too many opinions can sometimes become overwhelming during your trial. Our focus is to keep the session relaxed, focused, and all about you, so you leave feeling confident and excited for your big day.

Do you do offer Hair and Makeup for Mom's and Family Members?

Absolutely! We love working with everyone in the family—and that includes moms, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, and even younger bridal party members. Everyone deserves to feel beautiful and pampered on your special day!

Our team is experienced in creating age-appropriate, elegant styles that enhance natural beauty and last throughout the celebration. Whether it’s a soft glam look for the Mother of the Bride or a sophisticated updo for your favorite aunt, we ensure each family member receives the same level of care and artistry.

We also offer:

Special guest pricing
Custom packages
Group discounts for larger bridal parties

Let us help make your entire wedding crew feel photo-ready and radiant!

Do you apply Airbrush Makeup?

We no longer offer traditional airbrush machine makeup—and here’s why:

Over time, we’ve found that airbrush foundation can sometimes dry out the skin and lead to inconsistent results, especially for long-wear events. Additionally, recurring technical issues with airbrush equipment made it less reliable for our high-standard bridal work.

Thanks to today’s advanced foundation formulas and professional tools, we’re able to achieve the same flawless, long-lasting finish using traditional techniques—without compromising your skin’s comfort or appearance. Our current methods allow us to customize coverage and finish for each bride, ensuring a natural, radiant, and photo-ready result that lasts all day.

What about Touch ups?

Our professionally applied makeup is designed to last throughout your event with minimal maintenance—so you can feel confident from your first photo to your final dance.

We use only high-quality, long-wearing, and waterproof products on both skin and hair to ensure your look holds up beautifully through heat, sweat, happy tears, and hours of celebration.

To lock everything in, we finish each makeup application with a setting spray best suited to your skin type, including options like:
Urban Decay All Nighter, MAC Fix+, Iconic London, Patrick Ta, Morphe, and more. These help maximize your makeup’s longevity and give a radiant, seamless finish.

💄 Pro Tip: While touch-ups are usually minimal, we recommend keeping a few essentials with you—like blotting sheets, your lipstick/gloss, and setting powder for any midday shine.

BONUS:

*We offer our BRIDES a complimentary Touch-ups Kit with all the essentials already included!

-Optional touch-up services can also be added to your package if you’d like us to stay on-site or return for a second look later in the day.

Do you have a Studio Location?

-Yes! Our New Bridal Studio is centrally located in San Ramon at the shops of Bishop Ranch Plaza!

Our Bridal Previews are all held at the studio in a professional setting, however, for the actual event; we travel to your location whether it be a hotel room, bridal suite at a venue or your home. We find this method to be more stress-free and convenient for our clients as well.

How far do you travel and where are you located?

We proudly offer on-location beauty services throughout Northern California and are available for national and international travel as needed.

Our team is based in the East Bay Area, with service coverage extending from Santa Clara to Sacramento—and everywhere in between. Our primary studio locations are in Brentwood and San Ramon, CA.

✈️ Destination & Long-Distance Travel

Yes, we travel for destination weddings and out-of-state events! Travel charges do apply and are calculated based on:

$2 per mile round trip
A minimum travel fee of $60 and up per artist, depending on your location and artist(s) assigned
For destination events, airfare, lodging, and transportation must be arranged and covered in advance.

Please note: We recommend booking at least 4 months in advance for travel-based weddings and events to ensure availability and proper coordination.

For an exact travel quote based on your event location and artist needs, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to provide a custom estimate!

I live out of state and will not have time for a trial session; is that okay?

Yes, absolutely! We understand that some of our brides may be traveling in from out of state (or abroad) and may not have time for an in-person trial. We have successfully worked with many destination brides without a preview session and are fully prepared to support you in creating your perfect look remotely.

To move forward without a trial, we still require:

A signed contract
A non-refundable deposit to secure your wedding date

We will work closely with you via phone, email, or Zoom to ensure we’re aligned with your vision. You’ll be asked to share:

Inspiration photos for hair, makeup, and outfit styling
Details about your outfit, jewelry, and dupatta
Any personal preferences or sensitivities

💻 Virtual Consultation Option:

We offer Zoom or phone consultations for out-of-town brides at $80 per session. These are designed to cover all the important details—including your event timeline, desired looks, hair needs, and more—so you feel confident and cared for every step of the way.

Do you cut, highlight or add extensions?

We do not cut, highlight, or chemically process hair as part of our services. However, we are happy to work with and apply clip-in extensions that you provide on the day of your event.

If you're unsure about what type of extensions to purchase, we’re happy to recommend trusted websites and guide you on choosing the right length, volume, and color match based on your desired style.

We also offer the option to apply:

Clip-in extensions
Hair padding (buns/stuffers) to add volume or structure for specific hairstyles

✨ Please note: Extension and hairpiece application services are subject to additional charges, which are detailed in our current price sheet.

Do you provide Accessories such as bindis, tikkas, or hair jewels? What about Lashes?

At this time, we do not supply accessories such as bindis, tikkas, floral hairpieces, or hair jewels. However, if you would like to include these elements in your look, we are happy to apply any accessories you provide during your styling session.

Please have all accessories—such as fresh flowers, tikkas, bindis, or hair adornments—ready and available at the time of your appointment, and our team will place them with care and precision to complete your look.

Eyelashes

We do include false eyelash application with most makeup services.

Lashes are included in your service unless you’ve received discounted group/bridal party pricing.
For bridal party guests receiving discounted rates, lashes are available as an add-on for $30 per person.

Let us know if you have a specific lash style preference (natural, wispy, or dramatic) and we’ll do our best to accommodate!

What Prep is needed from me on the event day?

To ensure a smooth and stress-free experience, we ask that you follow these simple prep steps before your beauty appointment begins:

✨ Skin Prep:

Please arrive with a clean, makeup-free face—no moisturizer, SPF, or oils applied unless otherwise discussed.
Gently exfoliate your skin the night before to create a smooth base (avoid harsh scrubs if you have sensitive skin).
Stay hydrated and get a good night’s rest—your skin will thank you!

Hair Prep:

Hair should be washed and completely dry before your stylist arrives.
(We recommend washing it the night before—unless otherwise advised by your stylist.)
Do not use flat irons, curling tools, or heavy leave-in products prior to your appointment.
If you’re wearing clip-in extensions or a hairpiece, please have them ready and detangled.

Outfit & Accessories:

Have your outfit, jewelry, and accessories (tikka, dupatta, bindis, etc.) nearby and organized.
If you’re wearing flowers or special hair adornments, please ensure they are fresh and available at the time of styling.
Wear a button-down or wide-neck top to avoid disturbing your hair and makeup when changing.