Entitled cousin demands that makeup artist do a full glam look on her for free despite constantly criticizing his work, she refuses to compromise with a 30% dicscount: 'Family should help each other'

Author image for Ely Bulnes
Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Aug 9, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

I don't wear make up very often, and when I do, I refer to the one YouTube video I watched in high school on how to do a smokey eye. I've learned a hack or two on how to nail my eyeliner every time, and that seems to be enough to get by for special occasions. When I am not writing articles for Cheezcake, I am a visual artist – a painter, in fact! I should, by all accounts, be pretty good at doing make up. However, I am incredibly scared and put off by its price. Sure, oil paint, fancy charcoal, and India inks in every color can add up, but I got to practice with them for free at some point. It's not so often that someone just lets you test out their nice eyeshadow palettes, foundation, and highlighter.

In our story today, an entitled woman expects her cousin to drop everything to do her makeup for an upcoming wedding. Not only has she disparaged his skills in the past, but she wants the look done for free and even refuses to compromise on the price!

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement
  • 01

    AITA for refusing to do my cousin's makeup for free even though I'm a makeup artist?

    Cheezburger Image 10539317504
    via DanielBendjy from Getty Images Signature

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02
    My cousin (25F) is going to a wedding soon and asked me if I could do her full glam makeup as a favor. I told her I was already booked that
    via u/Crazy_Adzz
  • 03
    day but that the schedule was flexible w my other client so if she was okay coming in extra early, I could squeeze her in and do it if she payed 70%.
    via u/Crazy_Adzz
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10539319296
    via nomadsoulphotos

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 05
    She got all huffy and said that since she brought home food the previous night, it was the least I could do. I'm like If I knew eating her takeout was
    via u/Crazy_Adzz
  • 06
    going to be used as currency I would've skipped it?? It's not like it was my only choice for dinner or that I'd asked for it.
    via u/Crazy_Adzz
  • 07
    Lowk I know I'm a bit petty abt it, she's made comments in the past about my makeup style being too much and "too drag queen-ish"
    via u/Crazy_Adzz
  • 08
    which I know wasn't meant as a compliment when she said it. I'm r and have drag queen friends, so yeah it rubbed me the wrong way qu so I was honestly hesitant from the beginning.
    via u/Crazy_Adzz
  • 09
    I told her I don't usually do full glam for free (unless it's for my mom or one of my best friends). It didn't go over well so now my mom is telling me I'm
    via u/Crazy_Adzz
  • 10
    being money-minded and that I should've just said yes because family should help each other. I get
    via u/Crazy_Adzz
  • 11
    where that's coming from, but it still doesn't sit right with me. I would've had to adjust a paying client's schedule just to fit her in and do it for free?
    via u/Crazy_Adzz

  • I think her comments and attitude in the past are enough of a reason to not cater to her entitledness. 

  • 12
    Cheezburger Image 10539319040
    via Creativa Images

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 13
    wesmorgan1 - Oh, please this is your part-time job. It's entirely reasonable to (a) put paying customers first, and (b) limit your free work.
    via u/wesmorgan1
  • 14
    Offering a 30% discount and asking them to work around your paying-in- full customer were entirely reasonable steps. You did nothing wrong.
    via u/wesmorgan1
  • 15
    Zillion2010 When they tell you family helps family, tell them you absolutely agree. That's why they should pay you more than your normal amount to show support for you and your business.
    via u/Zillion2010
  • 16
    Gleandreic Also, they're acting like they themselves don't know how expensive makeup is
    via u/Gleandreic
  • 17
    Cheezburger Image 10539319552
    via nomadsoulphotos

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 18
    Primary_Bass_9178 I absolutely agree! You had to fit her in around paying clients and offered a her a decent discount!
    via u/Primary_Bass_9178
  • 19
    She doesn't consider it a real job and comparing it to part of a takeout meal is mean and petty. If she asks again, tell her you booked up with paying clients. Never work for free!
    via u/Primary_Bass_9178

  • The discount was already so much more than she deserved. 

  • 20
    Candid-Narwhal-3215 NTA. Story old as time. Boy likes makeup. Family insults boy. Family needs boy to do makeup. Family only remembers family when it suits them.
    via u/Candid-Narwhal-3215
  • 21
    It sounds like she doesn't value what you do and that's why she equates it to cheap takeout and wants it for free. Don't let people that don't value you set your price.
    via u/Candid-Narwhal-3215
  • 22
    Crazy_Adzz OP EXACTLY ignore the gay cousin until you need them...then be labeled as if I refuse to do free work so sassy it's a lose lose situation
    via u/Crazy_Adzz
  • 23
    RoyallyOakie NTA...Your mother calling you money- minded is a high compliment when you're trying to run a BUSINESS. Your
    via u/RoyallyOakie
  • 24
    best practice at this point would be to do no freebies for anyone. People who don't have the skill are the first to devalue what you do.
    via u/RoyallyOakie
  • 25
    parsnipin NTA as a hair stylist, I never give away free services except to my husband, mother and sisters. It's my career. It's not "for fun". If someone is taking up
    via u/RoyallyOakie
  • 26
    my time, and using up my products, they're paying for it. ESPECIALLY because you're self employed. Giving her 30% off was generous enough. You don't owe anyone free work.
    via u/RoyallyOakie
  • 27
    glitterolives NTA. You're not obligated to do anything for free. Idk what is with people thinking they're automatically entitled to free services just because
    via u/glitterolives
  • 28
    they're family. Also I wouldn't do it even if she paid anyway cause she has insulted your work before. It's not the end of the world - she can find another makeup artist.
    via u/glitterolives

Tags

makeup relationship advice family drama artist family feud relationships parenting entitled family make up cousins entitled people
Scroll Down For The Next Article