In a bold move that has sparked widespread discussion, Delhi-based makeup artist Neha Aggarwal recently called out a bride who requested free bridal makeup under the pretense of a “collaboration.” The incident, which has gone viral on social media, highlights a growing issue in the beauty industry: clients expecting professionals to work for free or at discounted rates in exchange for “exposure.”

The bride’s request

The controversy began when Neha Aggarwal received a message from a bride-to-be, asking if she could “sponsor or subsidize” her bridal makeup. The bride, who had already splurged on a designer Sabyasachi lehenga and extravagant jewellery, reached out to Neha with a proposal that she described as a “collaboration.” The bride claimed that Neha would benefit from the “luxury content” generated by her wedding and would gain exposure on social media.

To make the collaboration even more appealing, the bride began her message by boasting about her Sabyasachi lehenga, saying, “Hey, I’m getting a Sabyasachi lehenga for my wedding.” She then went on to request that Neha provide her bridal makeup at no cost, stating, “I am looking for an artist who can sponsor or subsidize my bridal makeup for this opportunity. You’ll get luxury content for your page, and I’ll get my bridal makeup done. Lemme know if you’re interested.”

Neha Aggarwal’s firm response

Neha didn’t mince words in her response. She took to Instagram to share a screenshot of the bride’s message, calling out the unethical request. Aggarwal made it clear that her craft was not something to be “collaborated” on in exchange for exposure. In her post, she pointed out the glaring double standards of the bride, who had no hesitation in paying for her high-end lehenga, jewellery, and wedding venue, but expected the artist’s work for free.
“Sabyasachi is paid for. Your venue is paid for. Your jewellery is paid for. But when it comes to makeup, suddenly it’s ‘let’s collaborate’?” Neha wrote, expressing her frustration. “My makeup isn’t a prop for your wedding. It’s a craft, a service, and a business,” she added.

The viral reaction

Aggarwal’s post quickly went viral, with many in the beauty and wedding industry applauding her for standing her ground. Followers flooded the comments, sharing their own frustrations with similar requests. One commenter wrote, “These kinds of messages really boil my blood. I’m glad you answered it the right way.” Another user commented, “The sheer audacity? Needing service for free.”
Many users expressed how disrespectful they felt the bride’s request was, emphasizing that professional services should be paid for, just like any other wedding-related service. “Oh my god, this is absurd and a complete disrespect to the artist,” said another commenter.

The bigger picture

The incident brings to light a broader issue in the world of freelance professionals, especially in the beauty and creative industries. As weddings grow more lavish and expensive, many clients often try to cut costs by asking for freebies from artists, makeup artists, and photographers, using the promise of “exposure” as compensation. However, as Neha pointed out, this often undermines the value of the artist’s work and ignores the fact that these professionals rely on fair compensation to run their businesses.

For artists and creators, exposure does not pay the bills. Exposure may help in building an audience, but it doesn’t help with rent, utilities, or paying team members. A professional’s time, expertise, and skill deserve to be compensated fairly, especially for high-demand services like bridal makeup.

A lesson in professionalism

This exchange between Neha and the bride serves as a reminder to both professionals and clients about the importance of valuing work and maintaining ethical business practices. While collaborations can be mutually beneficial in some cases, expecting free work from professionals, especially for something as significant as a bridal look, is an unrealistic and disrespectful request.

In a world where influencers and social media presence hold substantial weight, it’s crucial to remember that, at the end of the day, every professional has bills to pay and a business to run. Neha Aggarwal’s firm stance on this matter sends a clear message that artists deserve respect and fair compensation for their work.