Makeup
Makeup in Estonian beauty salons and with freelance artists: weddings, photoshoots, evening, no-makeup makeup. Prices, trials and choosing an artist.
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Makeup is a professional service in which a makeup artist designs a look to suit the client's face, chosen according to the occasion, the facial features, the skin type and the client's own wishes. In Estonia, makeup is offered both by beauty salons and by independent makeup artists, mainly for weddings, photoshoots, stage performances and special occasions. A good makeup artist knows how to work with professional cosmetics, how to adapt a look to the lighting (photo, video and daylight differ substantially) and how to create a natural, long-lasting finish on the skin. This guide explains the difference between the various types of makeup service and how to choose an experienced artist in Estonia.
What is makeup as a service and what types are available in Estonia?
Makeup services divide into several main types. Bridal makeup is one of the most popular — the bride wants a natural but long-lasting look that will carry a full day of photographs, the mood of the evening and possibly a few tears. Evening makeup is more intense, often with emphasised eye makeup, and suits parties and clubs. Photo and video makeup uses special techniques (HD makeup, airbrushing, contouring) that make sure the skin reads as natural on camera. Stage makeup is stronger still, so that the eyes and features are visible from a distance.
Everyday makeup, or the "no-makeup makeup", is a light daily look that conceals skin concerns (acne scars, pigment spots, dark circles) while keeping a natural appearance. Before a big occasion it is advisable to book a trial with the artist, where the bride or client sees the result in advance and can adjust the plan.
The Estonian market has active makeup artists both inside beauty salons and working independently. In Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu the choice of artists is wider — popular bridal artists are often booked up months in advance. Salons such as Ilona Ilusalong in Tartu, Felicia Ilusalong in Tallinn, Naturee Ilustuudio in Tartu and Floris Ilukliinik in Rapla offer makeup alongside other beauty services — which is convenient for a wedding, say, where the bride wants makeup combined with hair, nails and the rest of the preparation on a single day.
Makeup prices and how the service works in Estonia
The price of makeup depends on the type of service, the artist's experience and the salon. Everyday makeup usually starts from 30–60 €, evening makeup from 50–90 €, and bridal makeup from 80–200 € (depending on whether a trial is included). Photo and video makeup runs 70–150 €. The bridal trial session is often charged separately (30–60 €), though some wedding packages include it in the price. On the wedding day itself, a travel charge for a rural location is also normal.
A typical booking begins with a consultation, where the artist assesses the client's skin type, facial features, wishes and the character of the occasion. For bridal makeup a trial is strongly recommended — it takes place 2–6 weeks before the wedding and lets the client see the result and adjust the plan. Artists often ask the client to come to the trial dressed similarly to the wedding dress, so that the overall look can be judged.
On the wedding day, makeup usually takes 60–120 minutes. The artist starts by moisturising the skin, applies primer and then foundation, contours and highlights the features, applies blusher, shapes the brows, does the eyes (usually in a style agreed in advance — natural, smokey eye, winged liner) and applies lip cream or lipstick. Finally the look is set with a fixing spray, which keeps it in place for 8–12 hours.
How to choose a makeup artist
The first thing to look at with any makeup artist is the portfolio. An experienced artist's portfolio holds different kinds of work — bridal, photographic, daytime and evening. Read the Google reviews specifically for the service you are after (bridal makeup is a different thing from classic makeup!). Pay attention to the comments about how natural the results look, how long they last and how well the artist communicates.
For a wedding, insist on discussing a trial. It gives you the chance to see how the makeup looks on your skin type and follows your own suggestions. If the trial is charged as a separate service but is carried out in a spirit of collaboration and getting you happy with the result, you are dealing with an experienced artist. A warning sign is an artist who is not willing to do a trial for a wedding, or who agrees to everything without any discussion.
A bridal makeup artist has to be available on the wedding day — when you book, ask for the specific time and place. If the artist is coming to the wedding location (home, hotel), ask about the additional travel charge. Prefer an artist who uses good professional products (MAC, Charlotte Tilbury, Bobbi Brown, Inglot, Make Up For Ever) and who does not skip skin prep and moisturising or try to pressure you into extra services.
Aftercare and practical tips
For makeup to sit as well as possible, start a skincare routine 4–6 weeks before a big occasion. Regular moisturising, gentle exfoliation 1–2 times a week and sun protection all help the surface of the skin stay balanced. Immediately before the occasion, avoid trying out a new product (it can cause a skin reaction), and a chemical peel 2 weeks beforehand is not a good idea either (the skin will be red and sensitive).
On the wedding day, eat something light in the morning — avoid salt and alcohol (they cause puffiness) and drink enough water. If the weather is warm, ask the artist for a fixing spray and be ready to use it through the day. If the weather is cold, put balm on your lips over the makeup so they do not dry out. Carry a handkerchief or some blotting papers with you — on a hot day the skin may need freshening up.
After the wedding, remove the makeup with a double cleanse: first an oil or balm cleanser, then a gentle facial wash. Moisturise the skin generously — a long day in makeup dries the skin more than usual. If the skin is red or sensitive the next day, let it rest for 24 hours before putting on makeup again.
Makeup in Estonia's most popular cities
Tallinn has the widest choice of makeup artists — the capital has both artists working inside beauty salons (within Felicia Ilusalong or SIM Ilusalong, for example) and independent professionals who offer makeup at your home or at the venue. Bridal artists are usually booked up many months ahead — for a summer wedding in particular it pays to book early.
In Tartu, makeup is offered by Ilona Ilusalong, Naturee Ilustuudio and other salons. Events in the university town (graduation ceremonies, balls) are popular reasons to book makeup. In Pärnu, Rakvere and Jõgeva, makeup is offered by Duaal Ilusalong, Karmen Ilusalong and other county-centre salons. Because bridal makeup is seasonal (the summer runs May to September), it is worth planning early, especially if you want a sought-after artist.
Frequently asked questions
How much does makeup cost in Estonia?
Everyday makeup starts from 30–60 €, evening makeup from 50–90 €, and bridal makeup from 80–200 € (depending on whether a trial is included). Photo and video makeup runs 70–150 €. Wedding packages (bride plus mother, sister) are usually priced as a combined deal.
Do I need a trial with my bridal makeup artist?
A trial is strongly recommended, 2–6 weeks before the wedding. It lets you see how the makeup looks on your skin type, adjust the plan and feel confident about the result on the day. Some artists include the trial in the wedding package; for others it is an extra service.
How long does bridal makeup last?
Good bridal makeup, done with professional products and a fixing spray, lasts 8–12 hours. In hot weather, or if the client cries or perspires a lot, a touch-up may be needed during the day — keeping a fixing spray and a lipstick in your bag is a good idea.
What should I bring to a bridal makeup appointment?
Bring jewellery that matches the colour of the wedding dress (to see how the whole look reads), notes on your everyday makeup (what you like and what you do not), reference pictures of what you want, and a top that buttons up rather than pulling over your head, so the makeup is not smudged while you get dressed.
Can I have my makeup done while pregnant?
Yes. Makeup is safe during pregnancy, and the professional cosmetics used are formulated to be safe on the skin. If you are more prone to skin reactions, your sensitivity to fragrance may change — mention it to the artist, who can use less heavily scented products.
What is "no-makeup makeup"?
"No-makeup makeup" is a light daily look that conceals skin concerns (acne scars, pigment spots, dark circles) while keeping a natural appearance. The aim is that you should not look as though you have put anything on, yet your skin should look radiant and even.
Should the artist come to my home or should I go to the salon?
Both options are popular. For weddings it is usual for the artist to come to the wedding location (home, hotel, venue) — this normally adds a travel charge but saves the bride time. For everyday or photographic makeup, going to the salon suits most clients best.
What should I do if I do not like the makeup on the wedding day?
First, speak to the artist directly — if something is not right, an experienced artist will adjust the plan and fix the details. This is exactly why the trial matters — on the wedding day there is no time for a major change. If the disagreement remains, it is better to pay for the service and get on with the wedding.