Your questions.
Answered by Niv.

All bookings are on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s best to secure your booking with a deposit, as soon as your event details are confirmed.

For reference:

Bridal makeover: 12–18 months in advance.

Personal or Valakappu events: 3–6 months in advance.

Henna services: 1–3 months in advance.

If I work alone: 1 hour for makeup, 1 hour for hair, and 30 mins for saree draping.

With an assistant: Hair and makeup can be done concurrently, reducing overall time.

A full bridal makeup trial is $200. It takes two to three hours at the Niv's home studio and is available on weekdays between 10am and 5pm. A trial lets you test and adjust your makeup look in advance, so you can feel more settled on your wedding morning.

Trials should be booked at least 2 months before the wedding date.

Hair trials are not offered. However, we can discuss and plan your desired hairstyle during the makeup trial.

Temple brides receive a complimentary face-to-face consultation. Please note that a consultation is not a trial : it is purely a discussion of your desired makeup and overall look, without any makeup application.

Trials are not offered for non-bridal clients.

Hair: Avoid cutting layers in your hair before your wedding or event, as longer and uniform length hair allows for more styling options. Please also refrain from hair rebonding, keratin treatments, or hair botox for at least 3 months prior, as overly smooth hair may not hold styles well.

Workspace: Please provide a well-lit, clean and adequate workspace for makeup and hair services. A minimum setup space equivalent to one dining table or half to one queen-size bed, free of obstructions, is required. The surface should be above knee height; coffee tables, sofas, top of chest drawers or TV consoles are unsuitable. Cramped or unconducive environments can compromise the quality of service and may impact the artist’s health (e.g., back strain). If adequate space is not available upon arrival, I reserve the right to decline to proceed without a refund.

Additional prep: Detailed instructions regarding skincare, hair, and other preparation will be provided closer to your appointment date to ensure optimal results.

Please visit my home studio in person to provide your sarees at least 7 business days before your collection date. Measurement taking is compulsory for accurate pleating.

Pleating options:

Default: Box fold (can be collected in-person or via third-party delivery services).

After collection, keep the sarees lying flat on any surface, don’t keep them hanging in the bag after you get home.

Don’t place any objects on the sarees, as it will press down and flatten the saree, causing more lines to form.

Don’t remove the sarees from the transparent plastic sheets I’ve packed them in. I will remove it right before I drape it for you. The plastic sheet protects and keeps the pre-pleating in tact.

Optional: Fluffy pleats or hanger fold (additional charges apply; in-person collection is required, to prevent damage during transit).

Do not remove the saree from the hanger or plastic dust bag till it’s time to drape.

Hang the saree in a spacious area with no other clothes or objects touching it, so as to not to press down the fluffy pleats.

Once the sarees are ready, I will notify you for collection.

Please note: I do not transport sarees to appointments. It is the client’s responsibility to collect them.

Unfortunately, I do not assist with ready-made or pre-stitched sarees. This is not a matter of pricing, but rather ensuring that I can deliver the finish and overall look that I stand behind as a professional drapist.

Sarees are meant to drape, hug the body and flow naturally. Ready-made sarees are often poorly stitched and rigid, making it extremely difficult, even for a professional drapist, to achieve a neat and flattering drape.

There is usually excess fabric around the hip area that is meant to be used for hip pleats. However, because the saree is pre-stitched, there is no way to properly tuck and adjust this fabric. This often results in a loose and sloppy appearance, which reflects poorly on the drapist even when the actual draping has been done correctly.

Unfortunately, this is something I cannot fix through draping alone, as the issue lies in the stitching of the saree itself.

Because of this, I do not drape ready-made or pre-stitched sarees at all.

Included in personal package:

hairpins, Upins, donut bun

Safety pins

False lashes

Skin prep

Excluded from personal package:

hair extensions

flowers

fancy buns/ accessories

Yes, travel and accommodation can be arranged for an additional fee, or alternatively, the client may provide arrangements. Availability and fees depend on the location and timing, so please discuss this when booking.

I work exclusively with high-end, professional makeup brands to ensure longevity, comfort, and a flawless finish. These include, but are not limited to:

Dior, MAC, Giorgio Armani, Estée Lauder, Charlotte Tilbury, NARS, and similar luxury brands.

Yes, groom’s makeup services are available. However, I do not do hair for men. Please discuss your requirements and timing when booking.

For my bridal clients, I work with a bridal boutique that offers an extensive selection of jewellery. This helps me create a thoughtfully styled and cohesive bridal experience.

For my Valakappu clients, I do have a small, personally curated selection of jewellery sets available for rental.

A refundable safety deposit is required for the use of these sets. The deposit will be fully refunded upon the safe and timely return of all pieces in their original condition.

Each jewellery piece has been carefully hand-selected and personally invested in to complement my signature aesthetic. The safety deposit is therefore in place to cover any potential loss or damage.

Basic synthetic hair extensions like bouncy curls, loose curls, straight long braid are included in my bridal packages. Any other custom hair extensions or 100% human hair extensions (if required for your chosen hairstyle) will be chargeable separately.

Please provide a photo of your hair and your preferred hairstyle at least one month before the wedding so I can source suitable extensions. Late submission may affect the availability of matching extensions.

No price reduction will be offered if additional extensions are not required or cannot be sourced in time.

Absolutely. Please inform me of any allergies, sensitivities, or skin concerns prior to your appointment. A patch test can be arranged if necessary.

Yes absolutely! In fact you’re encouraged to send inspiration photos so I can better understand your preferences and desired style. Please note the following.

Submission timing: Please send your inspiration photos at least 1-2 months before your event. This allows sufficient time to review your requested looks and discuss any necessary adjustments, such as hair extensions, accessories, or alternative styles that may better suit your features.

Reference purpose: Inspiration images are used for reference only. Many online photos, especially from Pinterest, may be heavily filtered, photoshopped, or AI-generated, and may not accurately reflect real-life textures or colors. The final look cannot be replicated exactly, as it will depend on your skin tone, facial features, hair texture, length, volume, haircut, and color. Rest assured, I will always strive to create a look inspired by your chosen style while enhancing your natural features.

With proper skin preparation and professional application, bridal makeup is designed to last 8–10 hours, though longevity can vary depending on your skin type, weather, and activity level. How you care for your makeup throughout the day also affects its longevity. Avoid rubbing or touching your face, and gently dab (do not wipe) away sweat or tears with a tissue. While I can use waterproof products, there is no makeup that is completely tear-proof or sweat-proof. Tears and sweat contain salt and oils, which can cause makeup to break down in certain areas.

Proper care throughout the day is therefore essential to help keep your makeup looking fresh for as long as possible.

Touch-up services can be arranged upon request, depending on the package booked and the event duration.

Yes! Package deals are available if you book multiple services, such as bridal makeup + henna, ensuring a seamless experience on your special day. Send in an enquiry and we can discuss more!

Last-minute bookings may be possible depending on availability, but an additional fee may apply. It’s always best to book early to secure your preferred date and time.

Yes, gift vouchers are available for makeup services and classes and can be purchased as a thoughtful gift for your loved ones. Vouchers can be redeemed for event makeup services or makeup classes.