Melanie Benge Auckland City
Complaint #: 12
Unprofessional Hair and Make up artist 
I hired Melanie in February for my wedding to do mine, my 2 bridesmaids and my mothers, hair & make up (4 people total).
The day of my wedding she turned up at my mums house (where my bridesmaids and I were getting ready.)
She didn't say hello, or make any conversation and seemed very unfriendly, like she just didn't want to be there, and it continued on like this. She didn't bring a mirror to use and asked my mum for one, and which we thought was a little dis-organised.
But anyway as time went on and she was doing my bridesmaids hair and my other bridesmaid said to me - "Who's doing our make-up?". To which I said Melanie would be.
Because that was what I'd arranged with her by email.
Melanie overheard us and said (very abruptly) "No i didn't know anything about make-up I've only been asked to do hair!".
As you can imagine, this really made me feel stressed out & I had to keep myself from crying, or starting a big scene. I just couldn't believe how awful she was acting- and if indeed there had been some miscommunication and she didn't know about the make-up etc she really could have been more helpful and understanding. Instead she ranted and raved saying that she was going to leave etc. My bridesmaid said to her "well, what can we do about this, do you have the stuff to do it at home?" She replied "Yes, at my home in Onehunga!".
So she made it very clear she wasn't willing to go and get it, even with us willing to pay her to do so.
My mother was in tears, saying "How can you do this, on my daughters wedding day?" .
My photographer Adele, came to our rescue and a friend of hers came at very short notice to do it for us, to my relief.
Thankfully. But I was just beside myself, I had to go outside to calm down.
Still she did all of our hair: mine, my mother's and our bridesmaid's hair (plus my little girl's) and received her payment, no apology made and no change to her attitude at all.
A few days later - she emailed me. Saying that no, she had checked her voice-mail and there was no mention on there from me about make up. However I have the original email (which I forwarded to her) asking about makeup aswell!
So I just don't want anyone else going through what I'd gone through. She just made a bad situation worse, I couldn't have had a more unpleasant lady on my big day.
The day of my wedding she turned up at my mums house (where my bridesmaids and I were getting ready.)
She didn't say hello, or make any conversation and seemed very unfriendly, like she just didn't want to be there, and it continued on like this. She didn't bring a mirror to use and asked my mum for one, and which we thought was a little dis-organised.
But anyway as time went on and she was doing my bridesmaids hair and my other bridesmaid said to me - "Who's doing our make-up?". To which I said Melanie would be.
Because that was what I'd arranged with her by email.
Melanie overheard us and said (very abruptly) "No i didn't know anything about make-up I've only been asked to do hair!".
As you can imagine, this really made me feel stressed out & I had to keep myself from crying, or starting a big scene. I just couldn't believe how awful she was acting- and if indeed there had been some miscommunication and she didn't know about the make-up etc she really could have been more helpful and understanding. Instead she ranted and raved saying that she was going to leave etc. My bridesmaid said to her "well, what can we do about this, do you have the stuff to do it at home?" She replied "Yes, at my home in Onehunga!".
So she made it very clear she wasn't willing to go and get it, even with us willing to pay her to do so.
My mother was in tears, saying "How can you do this, on my daughters wedding day?" .
My photographer Adele, came to our rescue and a friend of hers came at very short notice to do it for us, to my relief.
Thankfully. But I was just beside myself, I had to go outside to calm down.
Still she did all of our hair: mine, my mother's and our bridesmaid's hair (plus my little girl's) and received her payment, no apology made and no change to her attitude at all.
A few days later - she emailed me. Saying that no, she had checked her voice-mail and there was no mention on there from me about make up. However I have the original email (which I forwarded to her) asking about makeup aswell!
So I just don't want anyone else going through what I'd gone through. She just made a bad situation worse, I couldn't have had a more unpleasant lady on my big day.
Comments & responses (15)
That's beyond shocking on your special day. Luckily that other person came to the rescue. But I don't understand why you have marked this complaint as resolved - it appears as if its not.
You're right it is shocking. But I'd say it is resolved, she did our hair and in turn received her payment, I'm just trying to get word out there about her unprofessional manner, so people don't use her services.
I wonder if she will post a comment here. Thanks for telling your story. The problem with hiring people is you don't get to judge them before-hand so sites like this is the best way for researching before hiring.
She should have been much more professional regardless of what was going on in her life. That's what she gets paid for (the show must go on).
She should have been much more professional regardless of what was going on in her life. That's what she gets paid for (the show must go on).
Wow - I'm really surprised to hear this about Ms Benge. She did all the hair and make up for my wife and her bridesmaids (as well as both mothers) at our wedding and I must say she did an absolutely fantastic job. I'm not sure if there was some miscommunication but it just seems strange to me that Ms Benge would not be seeking to do the makeup as well as it would seem that surely this would be more $$ for her whilst being at the same place???
I obviously can't comment on what transpired in relation to this incident, but I would like people to know that this is certainly not a true reflection of Ms Benge or her work. I am aware that three other couples who attending my wedding have subsequently used her services and everyone has nothing but glowing words to say about her.
As far as our wedding went - Ms Benge was fantastic which helped my wife have a fantastic day - and a happy wife = a happy life:)
From our perspective we would certainly rate Ms Benge and would happily provide references for her.
I obviously can't comment on what transpired in relation to this incident, but I would like people to know that this is certainly not a true reflection of Ms Benge or her work. I am aware that three other couples who attending my wedding have subsequently used her services and everyone has nothing but glowing words to say about her.
As far as our wedding went - Ms Benge was fantastic which helped my wife have a fantastic day - and a happy wife = a happy life:)
From our perspective we would certainly rate Ms Benge and would happily provide references for her.
I am so disappointed to hear these bad comments about Melanie. I found her to be fantastic, professional and very trustworthy. We had a trial hair and make up some weeks before our wedding which went well, but I decided to make some changes to my hair for the big day. I was so happy (as were my 3 bridesmaids and my mum)- everything I asked for from Melanie delivered. I could not have received better service. I would totally recommend her and am very surprised to hear the above comments. This certainly was not my experience.
Thanks lampstack I agree!
Due to the other 2 comments about her - being good experiences, maybe she was just having a bad day, but I got the flack and that is why i'm so upset, any other day and it wouldn't have mattered so much. I am glad to hear that she was great for the other 2 - I just wish that I'd seen that side to her.
I just have to share this with others, I feel that it is only fair for what I went through.
Due to the other 2 comments about her - being good experiences, maybe she was just having a bad day, but I got the flack and that is why i'm so upset, any other day and it wouldn't have mattered so much. I am glad to hear that she was great for the other 2 - I just wish that I'd seen that side to her.
I just have to share this with others, I feel that it is only fair for what I went through.
Hi i am absoutley gobsmacked with these comments i have worked with melanie for the last 15 years and we trained together 20 years ago.melanie is the most professional organised person i have ever met she would NEVER get it wrong.please consumers i know her better than anyone and she is a amazing makeup artist and hair dresser and runs a great business.thanks
Nicky - Obviously m experience on my wedding day is not important at all!!!
I think it is my right to share my bad experience with Melanie with others - which is my perrogative after what I went through. Amazing how small minded people can be.
I think it is my right to share my bad experience with Melanie with others - which is my perrogative after what I went through. Amazing how small minded people can be.
It is very important but people can also get things wrong as well.im just putting out there my knowledge of melanie and ofcourse have known her for a very long time and feel what you have put down extremely rude in this last text!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Perhaps Melanie should really post her side of the story. As a male who does NOT enjoy going to weddings or wants anything to do with it, I still sympathize for ams31. It was her very special day, it happens only once and naturally she wanted everything to go smoothly. Melanie being a professional who deals in such situations for a living should have done a better job. I have got really strong work ethics and have little patience for people who fail to deliver. Things do go wrong. But a little politeness and a sincere apology from Melanie could have avoided this complaint in the first place.
Thanks lampstack. And to Nicky - I'm not sure why i feel like im being made to look like the bad person here. I wanted to do a good thing for the public by putting this out there. But I don't know if I will again. It's so unfair.
But thank you, I appreciate that you see where im coming from Lampstack. An apology from Melanie is honestly all I ever wanted.
But thank you, I appreciate that you see where im coming from Lampstack. An apology from Melanie is honestly all I ever wanted.
Thank you to those who have posted comments in my defense your kind words have been much appreciated.
It would seem that Amber needs an additional (Public) apology to the one that was already given her after her wedding.
I am indeed incredibly sorry that Ms May experienced stress on her special day as this is why I go to great lengths with my Brides to make sure all their needs will be met on their wedding day.
At the end of the day what this comes down to is a regrettable mis-communication on both parts to which I am deeply sorry.My usual processes were not followed, most of which was caused by the very short notice in booking (2 weeks in February) and the inability to diary a trial with Ms May.
My initial email to Ms May was expressing my regret that this happened but also to let her know that there was no confusion on my part as to what services I was hired to deliver. The most people that can ever be done by one person for Hair and makeup is 3 people and this is provides a tight time-frame. If I was contracted to deliver hair and makeup services then I would have needed to bring another person with me and had more time scheduled in. This would have been communicated to Ms May had there been suggestion in conversation regarding makeup services.
What Ms May hasn't included in her communications is that I was deeply upset by the events that played out that day, I haven't ever been spoken to by anyone like that before (Amber's Mother) I was told how F****n unprofessional I was and why didn't I just F**k off.
It was my professionalism that kept me there that day and I felt bad for Amber that this had occurred, had i left who would've done her and the rest of the Bridal parties hair?
I had little concern for payment at that point. But I stayed and delivered the service I was hired to do.
I have been involved in the wedding industry for nearly 18 years and I am sorry to say this is the 1st and only complaint I have ever had against my service.
As I said in my communication to Ms may after her wedding I wish her the very best with her future and hope that she may be able to move forward past this and again am sorry for any stresses she experienced and is obviously still experiencing.
For anyone else considering my services if you have any questions I am more than happy to meet with you to discuss details of your wedding or provide references to attest to my professionalism.
Melanie Benge- Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist
It would seem that Amber needs an additional (Public) apology to the one that was already given her after her wedding.
I am indeed incredibly sorry that Ms May experienced stress on her special day as this is why I go to great lengths with my Brides to make sure all their needs will be met on their wedding day.
At the end of the day what this comes down to is a regrettable mis-communication on both parts to which I am deeply sorry.My usual processes were not followed, most of which was caused by the very short notice in booking (2 weeks in February) and the inability to diary a trial with Ms May.
My initial email to Ms May was expressing my regret that this happened but also to let her know that there was no confusion on my part as to what services I was hired to deliver. The most people that can ever be done by one person for Hair and makeup is 3 people and this is provides a tight time-frame. If I was contracted to deliver hair and makeup services then I would have needed to bring another person with me and had more time scheduled in. This would have been communicated to Ms May had there been suggestion in conversation regarding makeup services.
What Ms May hasn't included in her communications is that I was deeply upset by the events that played out that day, I haven't ever been spoken to by anyone like that before (Amber's Mother) I was told how F****n unprofessional I was and why didn't I just F**k off.
It was my professionalism that kept me there that day and I felt bad for Amber that this had occurred, had i left who would've done her and the rest of the Bridal parties hair?
I had little concern for payment at that point. But I stayed and delivered the service I was hired to do.
I have been involved in the wedding industry for nearly 18 years and I am sorry to say this is the 1st and only complaint I have ever had against my service.
As I said in my communication to Ms may after her wedding I wish her the very best with her future and hope that she may be able to move forward past this and again am sorry for any stresses she experienced and is obviously still experiencing.
For anyone else considering my services if you have any questions I am more than happy to meet with you to discuss details of your wedding or provide references to attest to my professionalism.
Melanie Benge- Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist
Melanie, I booked it with you – with plenty of time to spare – unfortunately my first booking was cancelled as my mother was trying to help with the stress of planning the wedding so took it upon herself to cancel the booking – which I later re-instated.
Unfortunately I could not book a trial as there was enough on my plate, and I did all of the planning on my own.
If I'd of known that there were too many people for you to arrange to do our make up aswell as hair I'm sorry but truthfully I would never have made the booking with you in the first place.
I was not under the impression that you were deeply upset by what happened that day – you might have given a hint of an apology to my mum before you left – but all you did was deny any wrong doing in the email you sent me a few days after my wedding.
My mother did not swear at you – she told you to leave. Which is totally understandable, and if indeed she did lose her cool and swear – would you blame her? This was shocking and not what any mother wants for her daughter on her wedding day, at that time we found out that we had no-one to do our make-up and it caused us massive stress!
I accept your apology Melanie, I just want you to please learn from this experience because I don't want anyone else to go through what I went through, I'm sorry but I felt so strongly that I felt I needed to submit a complaint.
I just want you to take it as a lesson – that's all. Honestly I think we just had a miscommunication and you were probably under a lot of stress that day.
So I am quite happy to move on and I wish you all the best, and I assure you that you will not hear from me again.
Unfortunately I could not book a trial as there was enough on my plate, and I did all of the planning on my own.
If I'd of known that there were too many people for you to arrange to do our make up aswell as hair I'm sorry but truthfully I would never have made the booking with you in the first place.
I was not under the impression that you were deeply upset by what happened that day – you might have given a hint of an apology to my mum before you left – but all you did was deny any wrong doing in the email you sent me a few days after my wedding.
My mother did not swear at you – she told you to leave. Which is totally understandable, and if indeed she did lose her cool and swear – would you blame her? This was shocking and not what any mother wants for her daughter on her wedding day, at that time we found out that we had no-one to do our make-up and it caused us massive stress!
I accept your apology Melanie, I just want you to please learn from this experience because I don't want anyone else to go through what I went through, I'm sorry but I felt so strongly that I felt I needed to submit a complaint.
I just want you to take it as a lesson – that's all. Honestly I think we just had a miscommunication and you were probably under a lot of stress that day.
So I am quite happy to move on and I wish you all the best, and I assure you that you will not hear from me again.
I may have been a little bit abrupt in one of my earlier comments, so I apologise to Nicky if I came across as being rude.
It's just that we felt very let down by Melanie that day.
It's just that we felt very let down by Melanie that day.
I am quite amazed reading these comments about Melanie. I used Mel for my wedding as she was recommended to me and I was very happy with my choice and would and have further recommended her services to friends.
We made arrangements for a trial a couple of months prior and then again for the 'big' day!!! On both occasions Mel was professional friendly approachable and well organised. AND she did a wonderful job-my hair was AMAZING - the best, and I had a lot of compliments given that I have short hair & didn't really think a lot could be done with it. I wanted natural looking make up & on 'the' day we went for eyelash extensions (not done at the trial) which Mel dealt with all in her stride -especially since we were on a pretty tight time frame!!!!! She dealt with us all in a timely professional manner even lending my mother the lipstick she used on her so she could refresh it later in the day which mum was very impressed with.
I was pretty relaxed on my day determined to not be a 'bridezilla' - I organised it all myself,& so come the day I could enjoy it all - & Mel certainly was a quintasential part of that preparation & day!!! Perhaps more than 2 weeks notice might be beneficial - certainly I found that!
I will still continue to recommend Mel to others - she definitely contributed to making my day the special day it was.
We made arrangements for a trial a couple of months prior and then again for the 'big' day!!! On both occasions Mel was professional friendly approachable and well organised. AND she did a wonderful job-my hair was AMAZING - the best, and I had a lot of compliments given that I have short hair & didn't really think a lot could be done with it. I wanted natural looking make up & on 'the' day we went for eyelash extensions (not done at the trial) which Mel dealt with all in her stride -especially since we were on a pretty tight time frame!!!!! She dealt with us all in a timely professional manner even lending my mother the lipstick she used on her so she could refresh it later in the day which mum was very impressed with.
I was pretty relaxed on my day determined to not be a 'bridezilla' - I organised it all myself,& so come the day I could enjoy it all - & Mel certainly was a quintasential part of that preparation & day!!! Perhaps more than 2 weeks notice might be beneficial - certainly I found that!
I will still continue to recommend Mel to others - she definitely contributed to making my day the special day it was.
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