How do I book an appointment?

Booking is a simple, step-by-step process:

1. Navigate to our "Book Now" page.

2. Select the competition you are attending.

3. Choose the service you need, such as "Competition Makeup" or "Competition Hair."

4. A calendar will appear showing all available artists and time slots. Select your preferred time.

5. Fill in your details and complete the secure online payment to confirm your spot. You'll receive a confirmation email immediately!
   

Are the stylists verified?

Absolutely. This is the foundation of our studio. Hair and makeup for ballroom competitions is a highly specialised niche that requires not only great skill but also speed and professionalism under pressure. At The Independent Studio, we foster a culture of excellence. One of our co-founders is a renowned, international hair and makeup artist with over a decade of experience working at the biggest events in the world, including the entire Fred Astaire portfolio. She personally vets every single artist to ensure they meet our world-class standards for every booking.

How does payment work?

To secure your appointment, all bookings are paid in full online at the time of booking. We process all payments through Stripe, a global leader in secure online transactions. This ensures your payment information is protected by industry-leading security standards, including PCI-DSS compliance and advanced encryption. Your booking and payment are secure, giving you complete peace of mind.

What is your cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24h before the event and get a full refund. If you decide to cancel less than 24h before your booking, we will issue you with a voucher, which you can use against a future competition (we are on most major competitions).

What if I'm unhappy with the service?

Your satisfaction is our top priority. If you have any issues during the competition, please find our on-site coordinator who will be present in the preparation area. For events where we do not have an on-site coordinator, we will provide a dedicated phone number for immediate assistance. If you have any feedback after the event, please email us directly. To help us resolve the situation faster, please include your phone number in the email, and we will aim to reach out for a chat. We respond to all inquiries within 24 hours.

How can I add my appointment to my calendar?

Your booking confirmation email will contain a link to download an .ics file. Simply click this link to add your appointment details directly to your preferred calendar application, such as Google Calendar or Apple Calendar.

(For Artists) How and when do I get paid?

After our vetting process, you are set up as an independent supplier to The Independent Studio. You are responsible for maintaining your own business entity (as a sole trader, limited company, or other relevant structure) and must hold valid public liability insurance. All client payments are processed securely online when they book. 7 days after the competition concludes, we will process your payout for all completed appointments. This window allows us to handle any potential client disputes. You will simply need to send us an invoice for your total earnings (70% of all booking fees), and we will transfer the funds directly to your bank account, Wise, Revolut, or alternative payment solution visible on your invoice.