Cliff notes of this review: I would rate Personify Bridal a 2.5 out of 5 stars. While they had a beautiful gallery, competitive prices, and eventually addressed makeup concerns, the unprofessionalism, rough working style, and overall stressful experience significantly impacted the overall rating.
My full novel:
While Personify Bridal initially stood out with a beautiful gallery and competitive prices, my overall experience was far from five stars. The trial didn't go as planned; my dramatic fall makeup look turned into a combination of Amy Winehouse and Snooki. Although Aarvada, the makeup artist, offered a free redo trial, her direct and rough working style, along with constant complaints about other clients, was disheartening. I had an allergic reaction to the second trial and it may have been the setting spray. As she put that on my face I had a knee jerk reaction to tense up and she said "relax, I'm not putting acid on you," but turns out it kind of was.
During the trial and on the wedding day, I felt like I was forced to endure her podcast-like monologue, which was not what I had envisioned for my pre-ceremony moments. I didn't get a chance to talk to my mom and bridesmaids and we were all just stressed out. A lot of it was Aarvada saying brides write her "novels" and she doesn't understand why they don't tell her upfront. For me personally--I was scared to anger anyone drawing on my face a day where there will be hundreds of photos taken of me--that, and she wouldn't let me get a word in even if I tried.
There were a lot of little comments that annoyed me and I won't get into everything because it was hours of work with her but some highlights were during my trial when I asked her to even out the lipstick she said something along the lines of me giving her an "asymmetrical face" to work with. I've no issues applying this makeup to my liking myself so that was just rude to hear, even if true. Her saying "I'm ok with hitting brides who don't stay still" was meant to be funny, but was also just annoying when she kept repeating it.
On the day of the wedding, Aarvada's abrupt entrance was overwhelming, instructing me to clear a table without asking where I had planned to let them set up but first had set out the gifts for my bridesmaids in a cute circle. The team's lack of introduction added to the unprofessionalism. They just kind of trickled into the house "without so much as a hello or f u" (in the words of tiger king). The atmosphere was tainted with cussing, which is cool if I'm with friends but not what I wanted around my family and really weird for a business owner to act like that from the jump.
Despite the final makeup and hair being fine, the overall experience left me emotionally drained and fatigued minutes before my ceremony. While the price was reasonable, I wouldn't recommend Personify Bridal unless you're willing to address and navigate these issues upfront. read more