Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about on-location hair and makeup with Good Hands in Lisbon
Last Updated: March 20, 2026
About Good Hands
What is Good Hands?
Good Hands is an on-location hair and makeup service in Lisbon. One senior artist travels to your hotel, villa or apartment across Lisbon, Cascais and Sintra. There is no salon to visit, and the working language is English.
How does Good Hands work?
Tell us the service, the date and time, and the address. We reply within 24 hours with availability and a price. You confirm, and our senior artist comes to you with a full kit. No payment is taken to make a booking request.
What makes Good Hands different from booking a salon?
You do not travel, and you do not negotiate the appointment in a second language. One senior artist takes the booking and does the work, so the person you speak to is the person who arrives, and a second booking is with the same person who already knows your hair.
Who uses Good Hands?
International travellers visiting Lisbon, hotel guests, people who have recently moved to the city, local residents, and people planning a wedding, an event or a photoshoot.
Which Lisbon neighborhoods do you serve?
We serve all of Lisbon, Cascais, and Sintra. Our senior artist comes directly to your hotel, villa, or apartment, so you never need to travel. Coverage includes Alfama, Chiado, Príncipe Real, Baixa, Belém, and Avenida da Liberdade across central Lisbon, plus Cascais and Sintra for destination events and bridal bookings. Same-day availability across central Lisbon; 24-hour advance notice recommended for coastal areas.
Pricing & Booking
How much do services cost?
There is no published rate card, because a single blowout at a hotel and a bridal morning for four people in Sintra are not the same job. Tell us the service, how many people and the address, and you get a written price within 24 hours. Nothing is charged to ask.
What's included in the price?
The quoted price covers the service itself with professional products, travel to your address in Lisbon, Cascais or Sintra, and the booking correspondence. Gratuity is not included but is appreciated (10 to 15% is customary in Lisbon).
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking 2-7 days in advance for optimal professional selection and time slot availability. However, we can often accommodate same-day or next-day requests based on professional availability. For weddings and special events, we recommend booking 12–18 months in advance for peak season (June–October) and 3–6 months for other dates, to ensure your preferred artists are available.
Can I book same-day services?
Yes! While we recommend advance booking for best selection, we can often accommodate same-day requests depending on professional availability. Contact us via chat or phone, and we'll do our best to find you a perfect match quickly.
What is your cancellation policy?
We offer a 24-hour cancellation policy for full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before your appointment may be subject to a cancellation fee. No-shows will be charged the full service amount. VIP members have more flexible cancellation terms.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and bank transfers. Payment is securely processed through Stripe at the time of booking.
Services & Professionals
What beauty services do you offer?
Hair styling and makeup, on location. Hair means blow-dry, updos, event hair and bridal hair. Makeup means events, weddings and photoshoots. Our senior artist carries out the hair and makeup. Nails, brows and lashes, wellness and retreats are arranged on request through the concierge. We do not cut or colour hair.
Do you do nails, lashes or brows?
On request. Our senior artist does hair styling and makeup; nails, lashes and brows are arranged through the concierge when you ask for them in your request.
Do you cut or colour hair?
No. Styling only: blow-dry, updos, event hair and bridal hair. No cuts, no colour, no chemical treatments.
Is there a salon I come to?
No. There are no premises. One senior artist travels to your hotel, villa or apartment.
Do you travel to Cascais and Sintra for a wedding?
Yes. Lisbon, Cascais and Sintra, including the quintas and wedding venues outside the city.
Can one artist do the whole bridal party?
Yes, in sequence at your venue, on a running order agreed with you in advance.
Who actually carries out the service?
One senior artist. There is no matching step and no third party. The person who answers your enquiry is the person who arrives at your door with the kit.
Will I get the same artist next time?
Yes. Because one senior artist does the work, a second booking is with the same person, who already knows your hair and what you asked for last time.
What language is the booking and the appointment in?
English. The enquiry, the confirmation and the appointment itself are all handled in English, and Portuguese is spoken too.
Where do services take place?
All Good Hands services are on location. The artist comes to you, whether you are at a hotel, villa, apartment or private residence anywhere in Lisbon, Cascais or Sintra, and arrives with a full kit. You never travel to a salon.
How should I prepare for a makeup appointment?
Start with clean, moisturised skin and skip heavy creams or oils on the day. Bring inspiration photos if you have them, and tell us about any allergies or skin sensitivities in advance. Allow 60 to 90 minutes for a full application. For a wedding, hair is normally styled before makeup.
What is a makeup trial, and do I need one?
A trial is a practice session before the event, usually 60 to 90 minutes, where the artist tests products and works out the look with you. Photographs are taken so the result can be repeated exactly on the day. We recommend a trial for weddings and suggest it for other big events.
Special Services
Do you offer wedding beauty services?
Yes. Wedding bookings include a trial two to three months before the date if you want one, a written timeline worked back from the hour you need to be ready, and touch-ups on the day. Our senior artist styles the bride and the party in sequence at your venue. Every wedding is quoted individually, so tell us the date, the venue and the group size.
Can you handle group bookings?
Yes, for bridal parties, wedding guests, birthdays and corporate events. Our senior artist styles the group in sequence on a timeline agreed in advance, so tell us the group size when you enquire and we will say honestly how long it takes and whether the hour you want is realistic.
Do you work with hotels?
Yes. We come to guests in their rooms at any hotel or guesthouse in Lisbon, Cascais and Sintra, and a concierge team can book on a guest’s behalf. If you run a property and would like a standing arrangement, get in touch and we will set one up.
Do you offer beauty retreats?
Yes! Our multi-day beauty and wellness retreats in Sintra and Cascais include curated treatments, consultations, product packages, and wellness activities. Retreats range from 2-5 days and are fully customizable. Pricing on request—contact us for details.
Can you coordinate corporate wellness events?
Absolutely! We create custom corporate wellness experiences including team spa days, beauty and self-care workshops, stress-relief treatments, and executive grooming services. Perfect for retreats, team building, or client entertainment. Contact us for tailored corporate packages.
Membership & Loyalty
Do you offer a membership program?
Yes. Gold (€49 a month) and Platinum (€129 a month). Gold takes 15% off every booking and Platinum takes 25%, and both include priority access to peak dates and a flexible cancellation policy. Both can be cancelled at any time.
Is membership worth it if I live in Lisbon?
It depends on how often you book. The discount is a flat 15% or 25% off every booking, so the more regularly you book, the more it is worth. If you book once or twice a year, book without it.
For International Visitors
Is Good Hands good for tourists?
Yes! About 50% of our clients are international travelers. We eliminate the stress of finding reliable beauty services in an unfamiliar city. We handle language barriers, know which professionals understand international styles, and ensure you get exactly what you're looking for without trial-and-error.
Do I need to speak Portuguese?
No. Good Hands works in English throughout, from the first enquiry to the appointment itself. Portuguese is spoken too, but you never need it.
Can you help if I'm only in Lisbon for a few days?
Absolutely! We specialize in helping short-term visitors. We can often accommodate same-day bookings, recommend services based on your schedule and hotel location, and ensure you have a wonderful experience even with limited time.
Do you accept international credit cards?
Yes! We accept all major international credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, and Amex from any country. Our payment processing is secure and multi-currency capable.
Quality & Satisfaction
What if I'm not satisfied with my service?
Your complete satisfaction is guaranteed. If you're not happy with any aspect of your service, contact us immediately. We'll work with you to make it right—whether that means rebooking with a different professional who better matches your preferences, adjusting the service, or providing a full refund. Our reputation depends on your happiness.
How do you ensure consistent quality?
One senior artist does every booking, so quality does not depend on who happens to be free that day. We ask for feedback after each booking and act on it. If something is not right, tell us while the artist is still with you where possible, and it is adjusted on the spot.
Can I provide feedback after my service?
Please do. We follow up after every booking. Every response is read personally and acted on.
Still Have Questions?
Our concierge team is here to help. Chat with us 24/7 or send us an email.