Makeup artists in Ghana can take bookings online by listing clear packages (soft glam, full glam, bridal, home service), sharing one booking link where clients pick an open time, and taking a deposit by mobile money to hold the slot. The deposit is the most important part: it stops no-shows and last-minute cancellations, which cost artists more money than anything else.
If you're tired of "how much?" DMs, people booking and not showing up, and double-booked Saturdays, here's how to fix it.
1. Turn your services into packages
Clients book faster when they can see exactly what they get:
- Soft glam: natural look, light coverage
- Full glam: full coverage, lashes, contour
- Bridal: trial session, wedding-day makeup, touch-ups
- Bridal party: bride plus bridesmaids, priced per face
- Engagement and traditional wedding looks
- Photoshoot makeup
- Home service: an added fee for travelling to the client
Write what's included (lashes, touch-up kit, travel) and how long each takes.
2. Show your prices
Put prices on your page and bio, or at least "from" prices. Clients who see prices and still book are serious. Clients who need to ask often disappear.
3. Take a deposit
A deposit protects your time and the slot you turned other clients away for.
- Regular bookings: a fixed deposit or 30 to 50% to confirm.
- Bridal: 50% at booking, the rest a week before the wedding.
- Cancellation rule: deposits are non-refundable within, say, 48 hours, but can move to a new date once.
Write the rule clearly before payment so nobody feels tricked. See how to take booking deposits for a salon for more examples.
4. Set up your booking page
On Paylead:
- Open your free store.
- Create a booking product for each package with its length and price.
- Set your available days and hours, and buffer time between clients.
- Choose how clients pay: full fee, a deposit, or in person.
- Share the link in your Instagram and TikTok bio and on WhatsApp.
Clients pick a time, pay the deposit with MoMo or card, and get a confirmation with a calendar file. You see every booking in one place. Paylead's fee is 4% + GH₵ 1 on the online deposit and 2% + GH₵ 1 on a balance paid in person.
5. Bridal bookings
Weddings are booked months ahead and involve more money, so be organised:
- Use a short form for the date, venue, number of faces, start time and look.
- Send an invoice for the full package with the deposit and balance dates. See how to send an invoice.
- Book the trial session as a separate booking.
- Confirm a week before with the timeline for the day.
6. Home service
Home service is popular in Ghana but eats your time. Charge for it:
- A travel fee by area (for example, within your town, nearby towns, far)
- An early-morning fee for starts before 6am
- A waiting-time fee if you have to wait long
Make a separate home-service package with the travel fee built in, or send a payment link for the extra.
7. Get more bookings
- Before-and-after videos on TikTok and Reels, with the client's permission.
- Tag photographers and planners you work with, and ask them to tag you.
- Bridal season posts with packages and dates still open.
- Referrals: give past brides a discount code to share with friends.
- Google Business Profile so clients searching "makeup artist near me" find you. See how to get customers with Google Business Profile.
Frequently asked questions
How much deposit should a makeup artist charge?
Many artists ask for 30 to 50% for regular bookings and 50% for bridal. The deposit should at least cover a slot you'd otherwise have sold.
What if a client cancels?
Follow your written rule. Moving the deposit to a new date once is fair; refunding a same-day cancellation usually isn't.
Can clients book without messaging me?
Yes. With a booking link they see open times, pick one and pay. You only talk to them to confirm details.
Read next: how to take paid bookings on your website, how to sell photography packages and how to sell event planning services.
