A few months ago I bought a photoshoot voucher at the Ideal Home Show at Christmas. The voucher was a pampering package and photoshoot at The Face London for two people for around £60, but it’s meant to be valued around £500. The package includes a champagne reception, mini-manicure, mini-facial, aromatic hand massage, full makeover by make-up artist, hair styling (two hair styles) and 1 photo on disc. The deal was very tempting, so I bought the voucher and looked forward to my photoshoot. However, when I searched for The Face London, I saw a deal on Groupon for £19 per person, which is much less than what I paid for! Not a great first impression.
However, I was very busy at the beginning of the year due to uni work so I completely forgot about this voucher, but earlier this month The Face London tried to call me (several times) to arrange my appointment before the voucher expires, I booked it for the 18th March for my friend and I. However, life took over and my friend told me seven days before the scheduled date that she couldn’t make it after all. You think seven days is enough, right? Unfortunately it’s outside of the seven day notice time, so the deposit would have been forfeited if she can’t make it. I would’ve brought someone else with me, but it just happened to be the day when most of my close ones that I want to share a photo with are either working, on holiday or not in London. My best advice is that you plan ahead and read the T&C’s.
I’ve read some reviews about The Face London on Google and it’s either a 5 star or a 1 star! I was leaning towards the 1 star before my shoot because of the expensive deposit and the fact that it will be forfeited because one member of the group couldn’t make it! With that in mind, the day somehow ended with a three and a half star (read on to find out why…).
I arrived 15 minutes before my scheduled time as advised. The people there were so warm and welcoming, and before long 1 star rose to a 2 star. As part of the package, I wasn’t offered Champagne, but wine was definitely on the menu (right before I was shown the photos). The manicure was nicely done, but it started chipping in less than 8 hours. Nonetheless, I was very disappointed that I never got my mini-facial and there was no aromatic hand massage either. I was looking forward to those! However, I do love my hair. The girl who did it is absolutely amazing. It looks beautiful and I wish I was able to re-create it! I also loved my makeup, a smokey eye, contoured face and a red lipstick is what I wanted and that’s what I got! So here we go, a 2 star rising to a 3 star because I loved my hair and makeup! A makeup retouch and a second hair style would’ve been nice, but the stylists left before I even got to my second outfit. Not cool!
As for the photoshoot, I loved every bit of it! It was totally fun and relaxed, no awkward posing involved. The studio has a set of scenes and the photographer will choose the perfect scenes for your outfits. I had four outfits with me, but one of them didn’t make it on to the CD because I figured out that I didn’t actually like that last outfit after I saw my photos. I got over 70 photos taken in less than an hour, and here are the top three! I wanted to keep all of them, but I went in with a budget and stuck with it. I had a nice chat with the photo editor, he understood that I only did this photoshoot for fun so he didn’t push me into buying them. The price you’re looking at is between three to five digits! Yes, I did pay for the photos and I am a little bit (maybe more than just a little) ashamed of admitting how vain I can be, but I adore my photos (unlike some reviews, they’re actually perfect in quality) and without doubt, the day ends with a 3.5 star! I wouldn’t rate it a 5 star because of the missing details and the rather vague T&C when I first bought it and the expensive photos.
If you want to do a photoshoot for a special occasion or if you are an aspiring model who wants to build up a portfolio, then this is the place to go! But be prepared to pay! Think of a budget and stick to it, otherwise you’ll end up snapping up all of the amazing photos (which is something I will do IF money starts flowing in in six significant figures)! I agree that it’s not the most ethical way of making money, but there are no ideal situations out there where services like this are close to free. Put the vague “T&C” aside, I did actually have a good time at the photoshoot!
Aw I'm sorry that it wasn't what you expected it to be but the photo's are absolutely stunning!!!
Hannah xxx
http://adayinthelifeofanortherngirl.blogspot.com
Thank you! Yeah, it was a bit disappointing not getting the full package, but it was quite fun as it is. 🙂 x
Shame the experience to start with was a bit cack, but I do love your photos x
http://www.beautyqueenuk.co.uk
The start was a bit of the pain, but it was totally worth it for the photos x
Beautiful photos, it's a shame that the day didn't quite go as expected or promised but I'm guessing it was a nice experience overall 🙂
Amy x | A Little Boat Sailing
Thank you! The experience itself was amazing, but like I said,a facial would have made the day a bit better… we're beauty blogger, we love facials 😉 x
You look amazing, it's crap when things aren't very clear or they aren't too accomodating though xxx
http://www.jesscaedmunds.com
Thank you do much! Yep, I hate it when they make things unclear as a part of the sales strategy. It's my own fault really because this was sort of expected from the moment I bought the voucher. x
You look gorgeous. I love your hair like this. Hmm, I think they need to be clear about exactly what is offered and prices though. People want to know what they're getting and that's fair enough. x
http://www.lululovesfilms.wordpress.com
http://www.myfamilyandabruzzo.com
Thanks a lot! I wish my hair is permanently curly/wavy, it's nice to go with something different. I thought they were super professional on the surface, but it was topped with this "get things done as fast as possible" type of attitude, which I didn't like! x
I think not letting you cancel with VERY NEARLY 7 days was a bit ridiculous! I've always wondered if these days were worth it… Seems a bit cheeky that you didn't get the facial etc as well… but I've got to say those pictures are gorgeous! I love your hair too.
It is a part of the policy though, but it was a bit of a pain! Whether it's worth it or not depends on what you're looking to get out of it. It's not the best way to spend money because you hardly get any pampering, but you do end up with a set of awesome photos 🙂 x
Good point – it's definitely something I'd consider doing I think… but after reading your post, more for the photos than the experience maybe!!
The photos are really gorgeous but it's too bad that you had all the troubles leading up to it and no facial. Win some lose some, haha.
Kallie @ But First Coffee
Thank you! I did go in feeling like a "looser", but went out a "winner"… haha, it's something I'd do again, but maybe somewhere that gives you all the photos taken at the shoot for a affordable set price. x
Love this! the photos are amazing and I don't think you vain for wanting them! It sounds like an interesting idea
Emma| With A City Dream
Thank you for the support! 🙂 It was definitely a great experience x
Your photos look amazing, you didn't need a friend with you ;), xoxo.
Haha! Thank you! It would've been good either way… more photos for me! 😛 x
Hi great review, I bought the same voucher for £20.
The T&C on the voucher says do not honour what the sales assistants said. This has really put me off going along with their deposit charges, which are outrageous. Surely if you've already paid for the day you shouldn't need to pay again! Anyway did you have to forfeit your whole deposit or just your friend's? I have read some bad reviews with regards to deposits not being returned so do not know whether to go or just count my losses.
Radha xoxo
The deposit is £50 each person on week days and there are a million ways that you can forfeit the deposit. I could've gotten my money back at the end, but after reading reviews about how it takes lots of phone calls and a few months before getting something back, I decided to use the money on photos instead.
To be honest, it's all a marketing strategy. We're technically paying for four hours of (expensive) personal service, which most of us seem to forget when buying the 'awesome deals!'
If you decide to go, make sure that you are 200% certain that you're free on that day. 🙂 x
Hi
My 18 year old and her friend bought this unaware of the deposit and have no intention of buying the photographs is it worth doing?
Hi Daisy,
I really liked the experience and I think it's worth the face value of a £20/30 voucher. However, you have to be careful about the deposit because they will find ways to make you spend it and you won't get the deposit back if you show up late or don't show up at all. x
My Friend and I bought the same voucher as you, at the ideal home show in November, we negotiated and got a £60 voucher for four people, the two of us and our daughters. We are going next Thursday, and i've read through their T's & C's a million times to make sure i don't get caught out. I've got a budget in mind that i'll be happy to spend taking in to account the deposits that we've already paid. if our photos are half as nice as you're i'll be over the moon.
That's awesome that you managed to get a deal on the voucher! Best of luck with your photoshoot! I'm sure your photos will look just as good! 🙂 x
I did one of these when I was younger – the photos are sooo pricey! Luckily I only really liked one, and was given one free, so it worked out okay. I'd go again for the experience, but I wouldn't pay much for it I don't think. x
Agree with you on the T&Cs. It is really vague and they will squeeze out every penny of your deposit somehow. This is an unscrupulous business practice and I would not recommend anyone going for this. And the price is at a whopping £100 per photo. There are many studios out there which offer top notch quality with half the price.
Hi Jason! I'm in the market for a photoshoot in the next few weeks. I can get my hair and makeup done prior so will appreciate recommendations for studios with those elegant sofas and chaise lounge. Thanks.
I have bought one of these promotions from a street near Bank station,London. When i called today to book an appointment, i was told i have to pay £100 deposit per person for a weekend appointment.I refused to pay the amount and asked for a refund. They said this is not refundable. I wasn't told about either the non refundable purchase or the deposit amount. Now i am stuck in this situation where i have lost £60 already and have to spend £200 more if i want the photo shoot. My advise will be not to go for this promotion if you are not prepared to spend this huge amount of money. This is an unethical business practice and i am very disappointed already
Please should write to Trading Standards and Consumer Agencies.
I just found out that I will get one photo as part of the promotion package. What type of deal is this??They are trapping you to go there, spend hours to take hundreds of photos but you will only get one photo!!!Then you pay £100 per photo!This is crazy!If i knew this before, i wouldn't have bought this stupid "promotion".This is very frustrating!I wouldn't recommend anyone going for this:(
Your photos are lovely!
I'm in the market for a photoshoot in the next few weeks.
I can get my hair and makeup done prior so will appreciate recommendations for good studios with those elegant sofas and chaise lounge. Thanks.
The photos are amazing ! You look gorgeous 🙂