Hair & Makeup Artist - Kathy Xiong
- Business: KVX Bridal & Beauty
- Location: Chowchilla, California CA
- Experience: 7 Years
- Profile: KVX Bridal & Beauty
- Website: www.kvxbridalandbeauty.com
1. Introduction: What's your story?
Hello there! I am Kathy Xiong, owner of KVX Bridal & Beauty and I'm a Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist. My passion for makeup started 9 years ago. I was a self taught makeup artist and started learning from watching YouTube videos like how many freelance artists started. My first makeup gig was for a local Pageant event and it was such a great opportunity that I wanted to grow and see what the beauty industry had to offer. I started focusing on Bridal Makeup and it's been the best decision I've ever made. I get to meet so many amazing brides and get to travel around the Central Valley. Once I was able to get more experience and feel more confident, I decided to take this more seriously and turn it into a career to support my family. I am a military wife and at the time I was a stay at home mom. So, I decided to go to school and become a Professional Hair and Makeup Artist.
Growing up, wanting to become a Makeup Artist was a dream I felt was a little too difficult to reach. In the Asian Culture, we were taught to grow up and become teachers or doctors. My parents always told me I would never make a living off of a career like being a Hair and Makeup Artist. So I never chased that dream of mine. Soon after having my own children, I wanted for my kids to do what they love and follow their dreams. That had made me realize and opened my eyes. So I made the decision to follow my dreams. I was able to accomplish a goal I had thought I would never be able to achieve. I believed in myself and worked hard to become independent and a businesswoman.
Now, I have my own business called KVX Beauty and it is located inside Salon Posh in Tower District. I have been licensed for two years now and I'm currently taking clients for Bridal Hair and Makeup. I also cut hair and color hair in the salon when I am not traveling for weddings. I am certified in Classic Lash Extensions and Volume Lash Extensions. In addition to that, I am certified in Tape Extensions as well.
I wish to work with Brides and give them the experience they dreamed of. I always enjoy chatting with my brides, working with them to create looks that they have in mind. My favorite part is the magic of it all coming together and the moment the Bride sees herself. Those are moments that will last forever.
2. What's your experience as a bridal hair & makeup artist? How many brides are in there in your portfolio?
My experience as a Bridal Hair and Makeup Artist has grown tremendously. I have learned so much about myself personally as an Artist and just the work behind Hair and Makeup. There are so much preparations when it comes to time management, being professional, and having the right tools to be successful. I always interact with my Brides and go over things to help them prepare for our appointments to help save time and money. I've had 7 years of experience but as a Professional, the last 2 years I have been more involved in the industry. I always keep myself educated and practice to stay on top of the new trends. I always practice sanitation and disinfection when it comes to my work area and with my tools.
In these last 2 years I have had about 75 Brides and it has been slowly building. I wish to work with more brides and build more relationships with future Brides. I am always willing to challenge myself and try new things. I love to travel so if you have a destination wedding coming up, I would love to be a part of it!
3. What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?
In my standard package, it is Hair and Makeup for $200 and it does come with an aftercare kit.
Hair accessories and extensions are not provided. If you have any extensions in your hair, please know that there will be an additional $25 fee to style the hair and another 30 minute will be added to your schedule.
Luxe Bride Makeup & Hair - $200
Includes Day of Service Makeup and Hair. Curls, Updo, Half Up/Half Down, Hollywood Waves. No Trial included and does include an Aftercare Kit. For Bridal, Engagement, Elopement, and Vow Renewal.
*Note: Clip In Extensions are an additional $25 charge to install and style. Extensions and Accessories are not provided.
My most popular package is the Couture Bride Makeup & Hair for $350
It Includes a Makeup/Hair Trial in Studio and Day of Service Bridal Makeup/Hair. Curls, Updo, Half Up/Half Down, Hollywood Waves. For Bridal, Elopement, and Vow Renewal.
*Note: This Package comes with an Aftercare Kit. Clip In Extensions are an additional $25 charge to install and style. Extensions and Accessories are not provided.
Allure Bride Makeup & Makeup Trial - $225
Includes a Makeup Trial in studio and Day of Service Makeup. For Bridal, Engagement, Elopement, and Vow Renewal.
*Note: This Package comes with an Aftercare Kit.
Timeless Bride Hair & Hair Trial - $150
Includes a Hair Trial in studio and Day of Service Hair. Curls, Updo, Half Up/Half Down, Hollywood Waves. For Bridal, Engagement, Elopement, and Vow Renewal.
*Note: Does not include Aftercare Kit. Clip In Extensions are an additional $25 charge to install and style. Extensions and Accessories are not provided.
Luxe Bride Makeup & Hair Trial - $150
Includes Makeup and Hair Trial in Studio. Curls, Updo, Half Up/Half Down, Hollywood Waves. For Bridal, Engagement, Elopement, and Vow Renewal.
*Note: This package does not come with an Aftercare Kit. Clip In Extensions are an additional $25 charge to install and style. Extensions and Accessories are not provided.
Classic Bride Makeup - $115
Includes Day of Service Makeup. No Trial included and does not include an Aftercare Kit. For Bridal, Engagement, Elopement, and Vow Renewal.
Classic Bride Hair - $85
Includes Day of Service Hair. Curls, Updo, Half Up/Half Down, Hollywood Waves. No trial included and does not include an Aftercare Kit. For Bridal, Engagement, Elopement, and Vow Renewal.
*Note: Clip In Extensions are an additional $25 charge to install and style. Extensions and Accessories are not provided.
Enchanted Bridal Party Makeup - $85
Includes Day of Service Makeup. No Trial included and does not include an Aftercare Kit. For Bridesmaids, Maid of Honor, Mother of Bride/Groom, and any one in the Bridal party. (example: Sponsors)
Enchanted Bridal Party Hair - $65
Includes Day of Service Hair. Updo, Half Up/Half Down. Hollywood Waves are an additional $20. No Trial included and does not include an Aftercare Kit. For Bridesmaids, Maid of Honor, Mother of Bride/Groom, and any one in the Bridal party. (example: Sponsors)
*Note: Clip In Extensions are an additional $25 charge to install and style. Extensions and Accessories are not provided.
Bella Bridesmaids Makeup - $50
Includes Day of Service Makeup on Junior Bridesmaids. No trial included and does not include an Aftercare Kit. Ages 13-17 years old.
Bella Bridesmaids Hair - $50
Includes Day of Service Hair on Junior Bridesmaids. Simple Curls, Half Up/Half Down, Simple Bun, Simple Updo. No trial included and does not include an Aftercare Kit. Ages 13 -17 years old.
Bloom Dolls Makeup - $30
Includes Day of Service Makeup on Flower girl. Eyes, Lips, and Cheek Application Only. No trial included and does not include an Aftercare Kit. Ages 12 and under.
Bloom Dolls Hair - $30
Includes Day of Service Hair on Flower girl. Simple Curls, Half Up/Half Down, Simple Bun, Simple Updo. No trial and does not include an Aftercare Kit. Ages 12 and under.
4. Do you have a team of assistants or will you be the only artist that day? What will happen if you're sick or have an emergency on the wedding day?
Depending on the schedule and how many are in the Bridal party, I may need an assistant to help. Usually, I am the only artist and I work by myself doing hair and makeup. You can contact me to schedule a consultation so we can go over your schedule to see if an assistant is needed. My assistants are trained by me and there will be an additional travel fee to cover the assistant's travel. But in most cases, I am the Lead and I over see all looks and make the final decisions with Hair and Makeup.
If I am sick or have an emergency, I will contact the Bride immediately. I will do my best to communicate with the Bride. I will do my best to find an assistant or another artist to take over the service if I am not able to do the service. But in all honesty, I have not had an emergency case before. I hope that never happens to me or the Bride. But if I ever had to cancel or ever had an emergency I would take full responsibility for it.
5. Do you charge a travel fee? For what distance? What does that cover?
I love to travel outside of my suite. It gives me so much joy to be involved or see the magic happens when I am helping the Bride and her Bridal party get ready. But with that comes with a lot of time and preparation. There are tools and products that I have to carry in order to set up and perform a successful service on a Bride. I take pride in the experience that I give my clients and I always want the best and the most relaxing experience for my Brides.
So I do charge a travel fee. I live in Chowchilla but most of my Brides are from Fresno. My salon is located in Fresno so the travel fees covers my gas. I am a pretty fair and easy person to work with so I don't charge per mile from Chowchilla. I will charge from my salon (KVX Beauty) in Fresno. My travel fee is $0.54 per mile for a round trip. If the location is within 15 miles radius from KVX Beauty, it will be a $15 flat rate.
6. Can the bride book a wedding makeup trial appointment and will you also do a trial before the wedding?
Absolutely! Hair trials are very important! It helps the bride make her final decisions when it comes to hair and makeup looks. I always advise the Bride to have her hair accessories, Jewelry, and veil available at the trial to see the over all look. I also advise to get a hair trim before the trial so the hair is nice and fresh and will be accurate to what the bride is looking for.
I also recommend to bring in the extensions so we can try them on to see if its needed and we can see how long it will take to put the extensions on and style them. Most brides usually know what they want, but trials are great if you want to try different hair styles and you are not sure which hair or makeup look will go with your beautiful wedding dress.
7. What beauty products do you use and would you be open to the bride using her own make-up?
I use all kinds of beauty products. I like to invest in Foundations and Concealers because skin is the most important to me and on a Bride's special day. But I carry mainly high end brands like Mac Cosmetics, Huda Beauty, It Cosmetics, Anastasia Beverly Hills, and Urban Decay products to drug store essential products.
I am open to Bride's using her own makeup because I know some Bride's have sensitive skin and they know their own skin better than anyone.
8. How can you make the bride's wedding makeup last and look good in photos?
I get a lot of feedback from past clients. One of my favorites that I hear all the time is that they literally can wear their hair and makeup until the next day if they could! Skin preparation is key for me. I would advise my Bride's to get a facial a few days before or do a at home facial. You can even use just a sheet mask the night before. But I love to hydrate the skin with a good moisturizer. I will prep and prime before adding foundation. When it comes to setting the face, I like to add a thin layer of powder to set the foundation and concealer to absorb any oils. I don't like to heavily apply powder because it can dry the skin out or cause the skin to look cakey especially if you have dry skin. If you do have oily skin then I will add a little more powder by patting a loose powder with a puff to absorb the oils and to prevent any oiliness. This way will make the makeup last all day and will look great in photos because there will be no flash back. Lastly, I always follow it with setting Spray.
9. How long will makeup take on the day and how long will you be staying for on the day?
Makeup take about one and a half hours to two hours depending on the look the Bride is requesting. Hair can take the same amount of time as well. I usually stay until the ceremony starts when the Bride has to leave so I can do last minute touches. If I have to stay longer for makeup touches, there will be an additional fee of $50 per hour and must be requested ahead of time for scheduling purposes.
10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?
Refunds are non refundable. Cancellations must be made at least thirty (30) days prior to the client’s reserved date. For last minute Bookings, Cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to the Wedding date. If there is a Wedding cancellation, the deposit can be used towards your service within 12 months from your Cancellation Date. If the wedding date is not confirmed, the service is not guaranteed. Also, a new Wedding date must be given within the 12 months’ time frame, or else the deposit will not be refunded. If the Bride or a Wedding Recipient cancels a service last minute, their deposit will not go towards the remaining balance and will not be refunded. Their deposit will not be transferred or substituted for a new guest/wedding recipient.
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