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Attributes highlighted by couples

Seasoned Professional
Hair Styling
Bridal Makeup

About

On Hitched.co.uk since 2023

Last update: November 2024

Karen Mason, Luxury Bridal Hair & Makeup is a hair and beauty business based in Edinburgh, Lothian & Borders, offering services to couples for their weddings and other special occasions. Karen boasts over 25 years of experience in the beauty industry and loves working with nearlyweds to give them the look they always dreamed of for their big day. She strives to enhance each client's natural beauty and give them confidence and assurance for their walk down the aisle.

Services Offered

Karen Mason, Luxury Bridal Hair and Make-up design

Following a career spanning over 25 years, Karen moved from London to Edinburgh in 2020. She worked internationally as a hairdresser & makeup artist for many years in the film, celebrity red carpet events and fashion business. She has worked with clients such as Emilia Fox, Cara Delavigne, Dawn French and Kate Moss. Now based in beautiful Scotland, she offers a bespoke and modern hair and makeup service for brides and their bridal parties. Taking the whole bridal theme and colour scheme into account, Karen works collaboratively with clients to develop their dream bridal hair and makeup design. She offers hair and make-up trials at her Leith-based studio, where she and, if required, her team of professionals can cater for wedding parties of larger sizes.

  • Woman-owned

Frequently asked questions

What services do you offer?

Hairdressing
Makeup
Image advice

What is included in the wedding package?

Wedding package is charged at £750. This includes hair & make up for the bride, plus two others. The trial, which is non refundable is £175 in my Leith. Minimum fee is £500

How far in advance should I contact you?

Please contact me at any point, however, I am now taking bookings for 2024 and 2025

Do you work at homes?

Yes

What is the charge for travelling?

I charge 70p per mile if the travel is beyond 20 miles radius of Edinburgh city centre. For international work, all flights or travel are charged to the bride

What is your main business area?

Make up

Could you stay with the bride until the photo shoot?

Yes

How many people can you beautify for one wedding?

There is no real limit to the amount of people that I can work with as if there are more than 3 individuals, with prior knowledge and warning, I can bring in a team of great hair and make up artists

Can you provide your beauty services for pre-wedding and post-wedding photography?

Yes

What are the forms of payment?

Unless otherwise discussed, full payment is made directly into my account before the wedding day to secure the booking. I have a hair and make contract with all payment details available upon booking

Served in

Central & Glasgow, Fife & Angus and Lothian & Borders

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Reviews for Karen Mason Bridal Hair & Make-UP

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5.0 out of 5 rating
Hitched Wedding Awards 2024 Winner
5.0 out of 5 rating
46 reviews
100% recommend it
  • Quality of the service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Response time
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value for money
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    5 out of 5 rating
Jasmine
Jasmine M. Sent on 13/11/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Absolute angel, she saved my wedding and made me look incredible

Karen was amazing from start to finish, and I am so glad that I was able to have her for my wedding.
When my original hair and make-up artist cancelled weeks before my wedding, Karen rang me within hours of my email and was so understanding and flexible. She made the entire process comfortable and I am now glad the 1st person cancelled.
My wedding party had a wide variety of skin tones and make-up preferences, and she made all of us look stunning and kept us laughing and relaxed the entire time.
10/10, could not have asked for a better person to make me feel like a beautiful bride
Rebecca Swinney
Rebecca S. Sent on 21/10/2024
5 out of 5 rating

The best start to the day

I knew with Karen's experience I could trust her to deliver a look that would show me at my best. I was not able to do an in person trial but we had a few zoom calls and Karen was able to recommend the perfect lipstick for me. The service Karen provided for us (my sister and mother were also having hair and makeup) was beyond all expectations, I so very much  appreciated her kindness and consideration and being our cheerleader on the day! She was also very patient with my Mum who was uncertain of what she wanted and somewhat nervous. It was a lovely experience and start to the day, which can feel a little stressful, but having Karen there was a tonic and we had great chats and felt really special with the end results. I wouldn't hesitate to book Karen again for any special event, in fact I'd love a reason to! If you are at all uncertain of who might be right for you but want to entrust someone to bring out the very best I'd book Karen.
Moira
Moira Sent on 14/10/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Exceptional

I would recommend anyone looking to having their hair and makeup done for a special occasion to let Karen work her magic as she is so professional and knowledgeable at what she does best .
I loved that she is so passionate about her work that the end result is testimony to just that. Karen takes time to listen to make sure you are getting the best outcome possible by making you feel at ease with her bubbly nature also she is a beautiful soul and has a calming way about her .
The compliments I received were testament to the amazing work Karen does .
I couldn’t have been any happier .
Thank you Karen for your hospitality
Moira xxx
Jan
Jan F. Sent on 05/10/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Outstanding Experience

I needed a makeover!!! I was using the same make up techniques and products that I used in my twenties and at 58 I definitely needed an update. I decided to seek help as this summer I was due to perform my duties as mother of the bride at my daughter’s wedding in Tuscany. Karen was my saviour! She took me by the hand and gave me a step by step make up tutorial, showing me techniques and advising on products. She took the time to listen and put together a glowy, natural look for me, keeping it simple so I could recreate the same at home (and the wedding). I left Karen’s studio feeling confident about the products and how to apply them. An invaluable service from a very gifted, warm hearted, professional. Highly recommended.
Sara
Sara N. Sent on 15/09/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Karen is fantastic!

We were absolutely blown away by Karen! She's so knowledgeable and experienced, and she really listened to what we wanted, even tailoring the look perfectly for one of the brides who really hates wearing makeup. Her warmth and kindness made the whole experience so enjoyable, and she even helped us find our photographer! On the day, she put us completely at ease, making everything feel relaxed and stress-free. As a same-sex couple, we felt incredibly comfortable with her, and she always took on board our feedback when we wanted to make changes. Plus, the fun we had with her was unforgettable - she has the best stories! Highly recommend!
Rebecca
Rebecca R. Sent on 10/09/2024
5 out of 5 rating

So much more than a hair and makeup artist and so good

Karen started her communications to me in a very open friendly manner. She does not make false promises and is super speedy in answering queries. Her face to face consultation with me started discussing what I wanted to change between then and the big day. I wanted to have a consistency of makeup for my mother, sister and niece so we spent time discussing all options for them and possible impacts on them.
She provided a detailed plan and advice on hair colour, styling, she recut my hair there and then to start me on the journey and explained the longer term picture and aims. She had a clear understanding of what could happen and how it would be of benefit both for my wedding but also for life. Her advice on skin care optimisation was great.
I was so pleased with the results of the trial, and was confident of her ability to make people look their best without changing the appearance beyond recognition.
On the day she was cool calm in control and capable of putting all the hyped up nerves of various people to one side to get people to focus attention when needed. She let me know at all points of the day she was on time, and what the next steps were. Everyone commented on her calmness, professionalism and ability to listen and reflect BACK peoples needs and requirements, not dictate and overrule. As she only met 3 of the people whose make up and a hair she did on the day it is testament to her skills that timings were not only met but exceeded - giving us time for a relaxed lunch.
She was great fun to share getting ready with and the results were beyond superb. I have never had so many comments on my hair, and now need lessons to recreate this myself
Thank you Karen for the best preparation for my wedding day
Moira
Moira P. Sent on 08/09/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Truly Wonderful Experience

We had the absolute pleasure to meet Karen when planning a family wedding. Karen is a delight to work with, she truly cares about providing each customer with the service & end result they are looking for. Karen does this by listening to every guests wishes. Using her knowledge & experience everyone of our party (there were 7 of us) were extremely happy with Karen's work & spent the day receiving compliments on how they looked. Cannot recommend Karen enough. You will not be disappointed if you choose to work with Karen during your wedding experience.
Yocasta
Yocasta R. Sent on 19/08/2024
5 out of 5 rating

The most beautiful that I've ever looked and felt!

Karen is just incredible! She is so talented and so experienced, and such a nice lady. I don't like makeup. I never do makeup. No my thing at all, but Karen did such an amazing job on my wedding day. I looked like me, but more beautiful. I felt like me, but a better version of me. She did exactly what I wanted, and she was understanding and super nice. I would do it all again with Karen, only with her. She is simple the best! Thank you so much Karenxx
Philip
Philip S. Sent on 18/06/2024
5 out of 5 rating

A Wonderful Tutorial for Men

As men, it isn't always easy to know how best to approach make-up for an event as important as your wedding day. However, Karen made the process a delight. Not only did she help craft the perfect looks for each of us, but Karen made us feel relaxed, confident in our ability to recreate them ourselves, and made the tutorial an event in itself which is already a highlight within our wedding journey. She is exceptionally skilled in her craft but also in working with people in an empathic and generous manner. We left the session with step-by-step guides, personalised to our skin types and colourings, which we are truly excited about. She also carefully detailed all of the products we may need, with helpful tips on techniques and retailers for each. We would recommend her very highly to anyone and everyone! Thank you again, Karen! xxx
Kate
Kate Sent on 17/06/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Professional, warm, empathetic with a great eye

Karen was just what I needed. I don’t wear much makeup but wanted to look great on the day and in photos to look back on. Karen took time to listen to my preferences and concerns. I would not have chosen what she suggested but she is a pro and sees what will work and it did! I had a lighter look for the wedding and went back before the party next evening, where my hair was a bit more free form. I was able to relax knowing it was how I wanted it to be and not to have to check myself for each photo (thankfully)
I would thoroughly recommend Karen. She did a brilliant job with my 3 sisters also - all quite different and perfectly timed to have us ready
Lovely, fascinating person to chat to too
Ami
Ami Sent on 31/03/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Great hair and make up which lasted all day

Karen was great!
She took time to understand what I wanted and we worked out everything we needed to on the trial.
I wanted very natural make up, nothing too heavy. And she achieved that, but I still felt very glamorous.
On the day of the wedding, Karen arrived promptly and worked super efficiently to get everyone ready in time. She was so calm and reassuring and I loved the end result. My hair and make up stayed the same from 10am until 1am.
My mum was nervous about her hair as she has very thick hair which can be frizzy and difficult to work with. Karen worked magic on her, and I've never seen her hair so beautiful. Her curls stayed in for days!
I highly recommend Karen and I'm grateful for all her hard work for us on the day x
Rebeca
Rebeca Sent on 22/02/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Rebeca Moss

Karen did a fantastic job of my hair and makeup for my two-day wedding celebration. After a trial at Karen’s house, we agreed on two different looks for day and evening events. Karen was very attentive, and great fun to be around. My mum and bridesmaids were all really happy with their hair and makeup too and loved speaking with Karen. Thanks Karen for a wonderful experience - I would highly recommend her to any brides to be!
Nina
Nina C. Sent on 30/10/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect from beginning to end!

I recently got married at Edinburgh castle and booked Karen for my hair and makeup. She was fantastic! She instantly made me feel relaxed and reassured at my trial and I knew I could fully trust her on my special day. Karen is so talented and created a flawless look that lasted the whole day into the evening! Meeting Karen was like meeting a new friend! Nina Carr.
Catherine
Catherine G. Sent on 19/09/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Excellent!

Karen was incredible! She is such a pleasure to work with and her work is perfection. Myself and my bridesmaids were all incredibly happy with our hair and makeup. Can’t recommend her enough.
Francesca
Francesca T. Sent on 19/09/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Nothing short of Exceptional - Must Book!

Karens talent and service is nothing short of exceptional. We were lucky enough to come across Karen on hitched, and given her experience and reviews, promptly contacted her in the hope she would be available for our wedding in September 2023. From the first phone call with her I knew we had made the best decision and we were delighted when she said she was available on our date. As there were several of us needing hair and makeup, Karen was kind enough to source two other excellent hair and makeup artists Ava and Heather. Karen and her team were able to excetute perfect, and stunning looks on all of my bridal party members, who were a range of ages, skin tones, hair types, personal needs, with great care and attention, within the alloted time schedule. I cannot write here all the compliments we received on the day, but I can assure you we felt fabulous, and our venue even requested Karens details for future brides. I would like to thank Karen for her endless support and guidence. From the moment I first contacted her, the hair and make up trail at her beuatiful home which followed, to the morning of the wedding, Karen provided endless support and positivity and at no point did I feel unwelcome or unable to contact/meet with her to discuss my preferences or any changes I was thinking of having with regard to hair and make up. Her flexability and willingness to adapt to last minute changes (in my case some bad highlights the day before the wedding - a stupid impulsive decison on my part!) were instrumental in keeping me calm and collected because I knew she had everything in hand and the expertise to manage any situations which arose. Given Karens years of experience in the industry she has many contacts to pull upon and direct you to so do not hesitate to run something by her if your unsure, she'll guide you through! I wish I had done this for my highlights to save the stress! The morning of the wedding I was very stressed and worried about the day, Karen turned my day around and even gave me a mini facial massage to relax me and get me into the pampering spirit - she has the inate ability to know just what you need! By the end of the day, a ceilidh and disco later my hair and make up was still perfect, which many people commented on in disbelief! Removing everything before bed was a breeze, Karen had taken such care that my hair and skin felt just as comfortable and soothed as it did in the morning. (I dont wear make regularly at all so this is a big deal to me as I am not used to hair extensions/eyelash extensions etc). Thank you to Karen and her team, there are not enough words to communicate my appreciation and gratitude for your hardwork and efforts in preparing me and the bridal party for our special day. I hope to only get married once, but should I need a makeup artist again, I would book Karen and her team in a heartbeat!
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Flat 7, 89 Duke Street, EH6 8HN Edinburgh (Lothian & Borders)

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