Living Beauty by Dana Jokic

Living Beauty by Dana Jokic is a makeup and hairstyling business in Lucerne, run by makeup artist Dana Jokic from a studio at Ruopigenhöhe 14, 6015 Luzern, which clients visit by appointment. Bridal styling is one of her three service areas, alongside general makeup and hairstyling and lash extensions. Her site is published in both German and English, and the English bridal page lists every wedding price, from the trial to the travel cost per kilometer. On the wedding day she comes to the bride, whether at home, at a castle or at a hotel.

Training and experience

Her Portrait page says she trained as a makeup artist at the "Art of Make-up" Visagistenschule in Zurich, qualifying in April 2012, and as a color and style consultant with FSFM, the Swiss professional association for color, style and image consulting, qualifying in May 2011. She writes that during her years as an office manager she expressed her creativity only in private, and that in 2011 she decided to make it her profession. Today she works as a freelancer for photographers, designers, fashion shows, television and private clients.

Her References page is long. It lists photographers and directors she has worked with, companies (among them Swarovski, Swisscom, Park Hotel Hyatt Zurich and Gübelin), and editorial work for titles including Braut & Bräutigam Magazin, Gala, Schweizer Illustrierte, Blick, Beauty Forum Schweiz and Foto Vogue. A list of people she has made up includes actors, musicians and TV presenters such as Daniel Brühl, Diana Damrau, Herbert Grönemeyer and Sandra Studer. For a bride, the practical point is that she works regularly for the camera.

How the bridal service works

The bridal page sets out what she offers: a makeup of the bride's choice; a hair and makeup trial at her studio 4 weeks before the wedding, lasting 2 to 3 hours, where the bride's style is discussed and defined; and the bridal makeup and hairstyling on location on the wedding day, at home, at a castle or at a hotel. The German version of the page adds that the aim is a look that lasts into the early hours of the morning.

On request, she can also stay on: she offers to assist while the bride poses for the photographer, to do touch-ups, or to change the makeup or hairstyle later in the day, at CHF 110 per hour. For a long wedding day with a ceremony, photographs and an evening party, that option is worth planning in.

Bridal prices

Makeup (all prices in Swiss francs):

• Bridal makeup including 1 trial and advice, CHF 295
• Bridal makeup without a trial, CHF 170
• Groom makeup, CHF 80
• Guest makeup (mother of the bride, maid of honor, bridesmaid), CHF 110
• Reusable strip lashes, CHF 25

Hairstyling, bridal prices including 1 trial:

• Bridal waves or romantic curls, CHF 210
• Bridal half-updo, CHF 240
• Bridal updo or mermaid braid, CHF 270
• Hollywood waves (2 hours needed), CHF 295
• Bridal hairstyling for short hair, CHF 170
• Extra charge for long hair (below bra-strap length), CHF 15
• Guest hairstyling, depending on effort, CHF 95 to 125

Accessories for rent

For brides with fine or thin hair who want a voluminous bun, a long mermaid braid or dense Hollywood waves, she recommends renting her clip-in extensions, matched to the bride's hair color, for CHF 90. Bridal hair jewelry, such as pearls, crystals or delicate flowers and leaves in gold, rose gold or silver, rents for CHF 35. Styling products such as hairspray, mousse and gel or wax are included in the service; bobby pins, hair pins, hair donuts and hair jewelry must be returned after use.

Other services

Her general offer page, in German, lists makeup and hairstyling for other occasions: evening, festive or party makeup at CHF 120, photo shoot makeup at CHF 130, men's makeup at CHF 65, and hairstyles from CHF 75 for short hair to CHF 120 for a full updo or mermaid braid. She also teaches makeup courses for 1 or 2 people, lasting 2 to 3 hours with a written dossier, at CHF 220 per person, and a 1-hour course for teenagers aged 11 to 16 at CHF 75. A bride who wants to learn to refresh her own makeup during the day, or a guest who wants a look for a pre-wedding dinner, can book these separately.

Travel, early starts and cancellation

Travel for styling on location is charged at CHF 1.00 per kilometer, with parking fees charged on top. Bridal services before 6:00 am carry an early start fee of CHF 20, which is worth knowing for a bride with a morning civil ceremony or a long drive to the venue. Appointments must be canceled with 24 hours' notice, otherwise a cancellation fee of up to 50% is charged.

Contact

She can be reached on 079 501 39 77 or at info@livingbeauty.ch, and the site lists three Instagram accounts, including weddingstylingbydana. Because the bridal page exists in English, a couple from abroad can read the full offer and prices without translation.

What the site does not settle

Although the site has an English version, it does not say which languages she works in during appointments, so a couple should confirm that in the first message. It does not say how many guests she can style on one wedding morning or whether she works with an assistant for larger parties, which matters when a mother, a maid of honor and several bridesmaids all want hair and makeup. The page does not say how far she travels or whether there is a limit, beyond the per-kilometer charge. It does not mention a deposit to hold the date. For a couple living abroad, the trial 4 weeks before the wedding at her Lucerne studio is the main planning point, and a bride who cannot attend it can book the bridal makeup without a trial instead.

Who this suits

Living Beauty suits a bride marrying in or around Lucerne who wants hair and makeup from one experienced artist, styled at home, at a castle or at the hotel, and who likes to see every cost in advance. The price list covers the groom and the guests too, and the hourly touch-up service suits a couple planning a long day. The caveats are the unanswered questions on languages, capacity for larger parties and travel range, all of which a couple should settle before booking.