How to Choose the Right Makeup Artist in Lagos (Without Regretting It)

I get messages almost every week from people who booked the wrong makeup artist for their event and are now scrambling to fix it before their date. Most of the time, it was avoidable — a portfolio that did not match what they actually wanted, no trial for a big day, or a quote that looked good until the extra fees showed up on the morning of. So let me walk you through exactly how I would choose a makeup artist in Lagos if I were the client, not the one holding the brush.

Start With the Portfolio — But Look Past the Highlight Reel

Every makeup artist's page shows their best work, so one pretty photo alone tells you very little. Look for consistency instead — can this artist repeat the same quality of work across different face shapes, skin tones, and lighting conditions, or does a single perfect photo carry the whole page? Pay attention to skin texture in the photos too. Heavily filtered or edited portfolio images can hide exactly the kind of cakey, ashy, or patchy application you are trying to avoid on your own day. If an artist shows real client photos alongside their professional shoots, that is usually a good sign — it means the day-to-day work holds up too.

Ask About the Trial (Even If You Think You Do Not Need One)

If your event is a wedding, or anything with real photos and a lot riding on it, ask whether a trial is offered and what it costs. A trial is where you find out if an artist actually listens — did they recreate the look you asked for, or did they give you their signature look regardless of your references? I talk more about timing your trial and your booking in How Early Should You Book Your Bridal Makeup Artist, but the short version is: book your trial early enough that you have time to adjust the look if it is not quite right, not two days before your event.

Compare Quotes the Right Way, Not Just the Number

The lowest quote is not automatically the best deal. Ask exactly what is included — skin prep, lashes, touch-up kit, setting routine — and whether a trial or home service is priced separately. Two artists can quote very differently for what looks like "the same service" once you see the full breakdown. I explain what actually drives bridal pricing in How Much Does Bridal Makeup Cost in Lagos, and you can see exactly what each of my own packages includes on my pricing page before you ever have to ask.

Home Service or Studio? Know What You Are Booking

Some artists only work from a fixed studio location; others travel to you. If getting ready at home, your hotel, or your venue matters to you — and for most Lagos brides and event clients, it does — confirm this upfront, not after you have already paid a deposit. Ask what home service actually includes: does the artist bring a full kit, proper lighting, and enough time to set up, or are you the one adjusting around their limitations? You can see exactly what is included across each of my own services, including home service availability, on the services page.

Questions to Ask Before You Pay a Deposit

Before any money changes hands, get clear answers to a few basics: How much is the deposit, and what happens to it if your date changes? Is it a percentage of the total, and when is the balance due? What is the cancellation and rescheduling policy? Is a travel fee included for home service, or added separately? A trustworthy artist will answer all of this clearly and in writing — usually over WhatsApp or email — before you commit. If you get vague answers to direct questions, treat that as your answer.

At the end of the day, the right makeup artist for you is the one whose portfolio matches your taste, who answers your questions clearly, and who takes your specific face and event seriously instead of giving everyone the same look. Take a look through my portfolio to see if my style is the one you are after, and when you are ready, book your session and I will walk you through everything from there.