Skylite Studios London

i won a free make over for myself and a friend from work my friend is a 73yrs she works very hard thought i would treat her we came from sheffield had the day of work when we got there was greeted very politely offered nibbles and a drink hair and make up was very good was very pleased how good i looked paid £90 deposit we then had the photo shoot then hear comes the bit we didnt like went though the pictures asked for £1000 told them we couldnt afford this we looked at the photos again by this time he was getting a little fed up so he sorted some pictures out and asked for £400 told to sign a form and a agreement was mad to pay £100 per month tilled paid for had £300 taken out of my bank recived no photos and cannot get in touch with them this was in july 2010 i have never done anything for myself i lost my mum last year thought this would lift me up a little also i let a friend down she also lost money becarefull

So, I also received a call from them (it was actually from Allure studios, I think they operate under both names), but it was Skylite Makeovers as it was the same building, and they even had «Skylite» written on the CD with the photoshoot pictures on.
Initially I believed them to be legit — I paid the £45 deposit for myself and then thought it to be a good idea to google reviews online. Fail. I was extremely pi**ed off when I realised I had possibly just been scammed and lost £45. However, they kept the appointment, called me 2 days earlier to confirm it and so I went. The appearance of the studio was alright — the refreshments were actually offered (the likes of tea/​coffee + juices or water) and there was a bowl of mini twix and kitkat chocolates etc, so waiting time was fairly comfortable. I was then prepped for the photoshoot with hair and make-​up. While the make-​up artist seemed incompetent and I didn’t actually like what she did to my face (and dear lord, when she back-​combed my hair, I nearly died), I figured what the hell. I was in it to get my £45 back. So I was then lead to a photography room with paper backgrounds and some lights/​props etc. The photographer, while he kept criticising me (idk whether it was his misconception of humour or he just didn’t like the look of me), he was actually quite helpful and although I was confused most of the time, I felt relaxed. So then came my most-​feared part — viewing the photographs and confidently rejecting all photos and declaring I do not wish to buy anything, just get my refund and leave. Initially, the man I was with was nice and jokey, but he suddenly got serious after about 500 «no“s I had said to every photograph he showed me. So I was ready for anything — I had read they get angry and annoyed with you and attempt to lure you into buying lots. While I was refusing to pay anything extra to the deposit for the pictures, I figured I should «maybe» some photos and I wish I had «maybe’d» more — he offered to give me 3 shots for the deposit money and I figured it was an easy way out, so I agreed. I now have 3 beautiful pictures of myself, some photoshoot experience and knowledge on what such experiences entail. The only two things I made a «loss» on was the deposit money (although the majority of photoshoot companies charge £50 for one picture, so technically, while they’re still obviously making a profit, I’d like to think I saved a bit here) and a lot of make-​up remover. All in all, I wouldn’t say it’s a scam and I was actually somewhat impressed (although then again my expectations were below 0 — I was ready for war). I wouldn’t do it again, but if you’ve just given the deposit and are hyperventilating about having lost the money, I’d say give it a go. They won’t kill you, that’s for sure.

OK so I just got a phone call that I’d won and have payed the deposit…
So did I get it right, they’re very dodgy and full of sh*t but you get your money back, yep?
Even if you don’t buy any of the pics?
If they’re messing around with the refund, what shall I tell them? Anyone knows which the appripriate paragraph/​law is?

I received a telephone call on jan 19 2011 informing me that i won!!! a competition. I stupidy paid £90 deposit for two tickets whichn i was told was refundable. But today i have looked this company up and decided that it is not a place i want to go to.
I rang the company back and asked for a full refund quoting the consumer protrection (distance selling) regulations 2000. She told me in no uncertain terms that i was not entitled to a refund and that was that!
I then phoned trading standards and explained the situation and they told me that i am entitled to a full refund and i need to put this in writing and send it recorded delivery…
Ill keep you posted…

This is a MINUS rating!!!
I received a call to say I’d won a competition. Excited I paid the refundable «deposit» for the studio booking&went along with a friend of mine.
Everything was fine except come time to view&choose photos we liked; the sales woman refused to accept that we wanted to purchase only 2 photos each at £70 (£280 for 4 photos)!
The drama that unfolded left us both shocked & disgusted — the heaving & sighing & eye ball rolling was Oscar worthy! She even went as far as throwing the card machine (that she’d been holding) across the table!
My friend got @#$%% for £200! I did want to buy at least 2 photos that I liked but after that display; I flatly refused to give them any money for anything and left requesting the front office lady refund my deposit, which she did promptly. (I now know I was one of the lucky ones!) My friend&I were both shaking as we walked out… to be honest folks, the WORST experience ever!!!
AND after all that, 2 days later my friend calls to say that they called her to say they wanted her to pay an extra £45 for the photos she’d already paid £200 for! Unbelievable!
Competition winners beware! Unless you do need to do this for legitimate reasons (work etc) & are willing to put up with crap like that; I suggest staying well away from them!

I visited skylite studios myslef, I went as part of a hen do, the bride got her session free, as a promotion, and the rest of us had to pay, which was a bummer, though they did us a special offer as there were 10 of us.
I ended up getting some pics, and I can say, if you are looking for excellent photos then as for Marco and Paul-​we got a doubel session), they were very good looking, and made us look sexy too (althougn I think they were go so no chance really, but was fun flirting). I have to say, I looked great, though FEW PEOPLE HAVE SAID THEY DONT LOOK LIKE ME, THOUGH tHEY ACTUALLY ARE, ITS THE THE WAY THEY DID MY MAKE-​UP, THAT WAS ACTUALLY ME, BUT JUST MADE-​UP AND LIT IN A CERTAIN WAY. So noone can say it wasnt physically me, as they did not airbrush em, as I watched the pictures being downloaded.
I love my pictures so much that I actually got up in the middle of the night to look at them a couple of times. I will try and post if I can work out how to put them on here

I went to Skylite Studio to pump up my portfolio, as looking to go into modeling. I’m with an agency, who said it was good to have a variety of pictures for my portfolio, to show that I can be versatile (it’s not good to have pictures all from one shoot-​you can have a few from sam shoot as long as they are varied).
The photographer was great, as they use freelancers, who do their own various jobs, which range from weddings, to magazine shoots, and advertising, so if you want an experiencd photographer, that has practise with loads of people, then it’s good to shoose somewhre that works with freelancers!
Oh, and also they can do your ake-​up and hair if you request it, try and find somewhere that will do this, as I’ve ben to shoots before, where I’m up at 6am, to do my model shoots, and by the time I get ther (as often having to travel far), I feel like a sweaty mess. At least you can have it freshly applied beforethe shoot.
Tips for modeling
get your make-​up done at same place as having photos done (bring your own artist if you have to)
Only get a few pictures from any one photoshoot, as getting a disc, or prints of 20 with not show variety in your folio
Make sure the picture you choose fit the type of modeling you want to go into, for example, hand modeling, get hand shots, hair modeling concentrate on hair shots, glamour, obvioulsy topless, haha, but you know, decide what you want before hand, ubless its just for fun.
Getting images on disc is best for modelling, as you can easily get a respons from agencies though email, to apply to jobs through email. I got a few good responses this way.
Hope that jelps anyone who wants to model

My friend and I went along after paying £45 deposit each and we were really pleased with the results. There was no champagne as promised but there was plenty of offers of tea, coffee, juice etc. The make-​up and hair stylists were lovely and really friendly, and put us both at ease. The photo’s were fantastic and although a little pricey were well worth it! I normally hate my photo being took but the photographer was very professional and put us at ease. The end result was we actually looked very attractive and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks Skylite for a fab day! Julie & Jackie xxx

I went to Sktlite studios last weekend. I didn’t end up getting any pictures, not that the photographer didn’t do a lovely job-​and they were pretty inexpensive, but I more budgeted to spend the extra cash I had out on the tiles at the bars and clubs round the corner after, and got a bit sloshed I have to say, still it was a night to remember-​we did our own photoshoot 1am in the toilets, probably not the same at all haha, but there you go.
So I guess I didn’t really want pics, but I thought, well, as I’m coming down from Nottingham for a night out, its not every day that I do that, so why not take advantage. I wanted to look my best&hopefully meet a man (London has loads of rich fit blokes-​but then Nottingham has so many women-​so maybe I’m just starved).
I did actually meet someone, we went to a club called Movida quite near by, and it was free, though they were charging some of the guys. I’d like to think it was because we looked so gorgeous that we got in. Jay Sean (my fave artsist) sings about Movida in one of his songs, so I felt really cool being there.
Anyway I met this guy I think I might even move to London for, you know when you meet someone and decide you might love them after one date, and then have 4 hour phone dates following after, well that’s what it’s been like. Obvioulsy he doesn’t know that we are going to get married on day-I’ve not told him yet haha, but hopefully, I’ll have to post an update if he proposes now won’t I

OMG babes, you are soooo embaressin puttin them pics on here, have u added them on facebook yet-​actually i will go check, ahahahahhahaha,
part 2: guess what I called them back and bought my mad strawberry pics-can’t wait till you’re back up in donny, we’ll have to go for another mad one on the tiles
speak soon x

Ohhh, I’m not used to writing reviews, but sometimes you are drawn to ideas through experiences, and I now feel quite compelled to write a review!
I have been to a couple of studios over the years, once when I was 15, and again at 20! I don’t know if this experience was unique compared to anwhere else I might visit, though I know it was unique to the other make-​over/​photoshoot days I have previously been to.
In the olden days (well lets say around 10 years ago), you’d stand still, make sure you didn’t blink, and held a strained smile. I thought what they did at Skylite studios was absolutely amazing. Obvioulsy the makeover was great etc,(I asked for quite a natural look) but I was able to move around during the shoot, they captured me laughing (the photographer was very funny) and twirling haha, and there were a couple of abstract shots, which cropped me off here and there, they even took me outside for some urban street style fashion shots!
Anyway, I’m quite in love with digital photography these days, you can just do so much more, and it seems so versatile. I would recommend a digital studio to anyone, it seems it has all gone that way anyway, but I reall am happy, I’ll try and post some pictures at some point to show
hurrah!!!

i was sent to skylite studios by dynamic models for my portfolio i had a brilliant day my makeup looked great and the photographer got some great pictures. my one to one consultation to view my portfolio after was very proffesional and i came away very happy i would like to say thankyou to all at skylite studios

I had a phone call saying that I had won back in NOV 08.& they said I could book anytime within 3months (at that time I was thinking WFT?! When did I enter a comp because I really couldn’t remember winning?)I asked them to call me back as I had to talk to my Husband about it as he’s very Logical. We desided to say yes, its FREE after all?
Then the line of £45 booking fee each! I took my husband along.
The day was just as I expected as I have been to so many con’s B4,
I wasn’t happy with the price, because I wasn’t happy with alot of the photos. I would urge people to think why you really want the photos? I wanted a new set because I work in TV/​Film as an extra so I need it for work. The thing that really disapointed me was because I’m of Mixed-​race and Have sort afro-hair.they failed to say that they cannot do black people’s hair.
I feel that if you purly want photos for your personal use. please don’t go to these kind of places your really better of going to a Portrait place in debenhams. yes its a conbut it was my choice to go along with it.
I do wish there were more black/​mixed-​race make-​up artists out there!

Went along with some apprehension following negative feedbacks on various web sites. Came away feeling great ! Staff friendly, full cosmetic/​hair makeover. Good photographic shoot. Obviously, they want to sell you the photos — that’s how they make their money — but when you say no it’s accepted and you get a full refund within week. Recommended for fun day out.

i had a phone call 2 months ago for this studio and like others was asked for a deposit which at the time i was not happy to pay at all but i did it anyway. they told me i couldnt get my money back until i turned up to the studio so i went. was quite apprehensive but once me and my daughter had the day and saw our photos we were happy and i even used my deposit to purchase. they are expensive but im very happy with them. i asked the guy who showed me the photos why so many people had complained on different websites and he gave me a good answer. only people who diddnt go or diddnt enjoy the day will make the effort to complain, and all those who loved it and bought pictures will never bother, so im here to make the effort.
amy

Not very happy with this company. They have told me I have won a prize that would have been nice if they didn’t take £135.00 off me. Called late in the evening I wasn’t paying that much attention and stupidly handed over the dosh. Trying for my money back which I under stand under the consumer protection distance selling act I should have a good chance as they neglected to let me know of my right to cancel which I had 7 days. In fact they speciffcally stated DO NOT CANCELL that is alot of money to loose. They should have also given me a full geographical address which I have not been give. I don’t htink this is going to help there case. All I want is my money back, I haven’t been to the studio so can’t comment on the quality or standards they have but I certainly do not like there process of getting my money.

This company is just a bunch of con artists. They told me they would take £45 from my account which was infact £90 they told me i was 1 of 5 winner which is a load of bull and you have to go along with it to get your money back apparently but I’ll fight that out with them.

I too was telephoned by this company saying I had won a prize and £135 was charged to my credit card. I am determined to get refund as no cooling off period was offered. I will take it all the way through the courts.

Do NOT go there, the whole thing is a very clever con, with you parting with lots of money for nothing! Myself and my daughter went, sat around for an hour — no champagne as they hype it, got a dodgy make up makeover and admittedly a nice hairdo, then sat again. In a room where the walls were dirty (which did show on the pics) we had the pics taken and sat AGAIN in the waiting room. When viewing time came, we didn’t like the pics, maybe two were ok. The lad bugged us and said he had other clients waiting to view and to be faster we should just have a cd of them all and view and delete at home. We were pressurised into spending £210 (£60 fee at time of booking and £150 on the day) for basically 2 pictures. When i spoke to Boe Wright (the boss supposedly) I was told I HAVE NO CONSUMER RIGHTS, and they do not give refunds EVER !!! Please Beware, we paid a lot in travel expenses to get there too, and the whole day was a total waste of money — don’t fall for it!

This is a studio where you pay £30 in advance and then come down, get dolled up (hair/​makeup) all professional, look absolutely fabulous and then take your pictures. The £30 is refundable if you don’t buy any of the pictures by their professional photographer.
You get about 5 changes of clothes and then you do different posesdifferent positions, i think you can get nudes done if you fancy though I never went for that option! The professional photos are highly expensive to purchase though which is a real drawback as for a small print you pay £50!
They are really pushy about you buying aswell which is a put off. You have to have hours on hand to be there, because I remember being stuck in the place for hours! and regretting it as I didn’t even have anywhere nice to go in the evening!
Worth a go though!