Upstyle | Vendor Love
Today's featured vendor on my Vendor Love blog series is one I am so happy to be interviewing! Brittany and Jessica are the talented ladies behind Upstyle, a team of stylists offering onsite hair and makeup services. They also happen to be two of my industry favorites! I worked on a shoot a while back with these amazing ladies and finally had a chance to meet them in person about two months ago. Brittany and Jessica are two of the sweetest ladies you'll ever meet; it'll feel like you're hanging out with old friends as you're getting ready on your wedding day! They're quite the dream team, and I couldn't be happier to be introducing them to you!
Tell me a bit about you and your business! How did you get started in the wedding industry?
"We're Upstyle - an onsite hair and makeup business based in Collinsville, Connecticut. We've been best friends since middle school, growing up in the same small town and going through everything together (the awkward stage, bad eyebrows - you get the picture). Like all good things, it just kind of happened organically. Brittany, who is a licensed cosmetologist, caught the bridal bug in the early years of her career. Jess, who has always been a makeup enthusiast with a background in marketing and design, jumped on the opportunity to join in. We started this business from the ground up, and after doing consultations in our dining room the past three years, we finally upgraded to our first studio in September. Before we knew it, our beauty duo quickly expanded to a team of six. Woohoo!"
What do you love most about being hair and makeup stylists?
"There are so many things to love about being in the hair and makeup industry. What we love most is how we can use our creativity at work. The trends are always changing, meaning as artists, we are always growing and evolving. Every face, every hair type and color is unique, which allows for different techniques and styles to enhance natural features on each person we work with. It's an amazing feeling to help someone look and feel their best for special events."
What should brides know about your process and about working with you?
"Our job is to take care of and pamper you, to make sure you feel 100% comfortable and beautiful on your wedding day. We have a pretty unique style - although we can create any look, 'glam' is not always our cup of tea and we love a more natural hair and makeup look. We love enhancing your already beautiful features and our main focus is creating a look that makes you feel like the best version of yourself.
Our process is simple, after exchanging an initial email request we are always available for a phone conversation. We invite you to our cozy studio for a consultation, which is where we can get to know each other, go over all of your questions, review inspiration photos and try out your wedding look (or a few!)."
What is your favorite part about working with brides?
"Our favorite part of working with brides is getting to be a part of their story. We get the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people in our travels and it means so much that they choose us to spend the morning with them on one of the most important and exciting days of their life. All of our brides are so sweet, almost to the point that we feel they become more like friends than clients."
What (or who) inspires your creativity?
"As creatives, so many things inspire us, from architecture and interiors to beautiful flowers and landscapes. There are also so many incredible artists, designers and stylists in this industry that inspire us on a daily basis. For hair, Britt is a huge fan of Stephanie Brinkerhoff's bridal work (Hair and Makeup by Steph) or celebrity stylist Kristin Ess. Jess is inspired by many of the greats in the industry, but is always drawn to celebrity makeup artist Hung Vanngo's work and perseverance. We have the utmost respect for every artist out there doing what they love."
How early should brides book you to ensure you'll be available for their wedding day?
"We recommend our brides contact us six to nine months before their wedding day. This is to ensure we have the date available and leaves plenty of time to schedule a consultation so we can master the look that fits their vision for their big day."
As hair & makeup pros, what is one tip or piece of advice you'd give a bride for her wedding day?
"There are so many things to keep in mind for your big day. When it comes to hair and makeup, the one thing we always tell our brides is, 'At the end of the day, the way you look has a lot to do with how you feel. You want to feel beautiful and feel like yourself, which means choosing a style that speaks to you, instead of listening to others opinions or trying to be someone you're not.' You want to be able to look back at your wedding photo's and still love the way everything looks. Most importantly, you want to remember the way you felt on such a special day."
If you don't already, be sure to follow Upstyle to stay up to date with their latest styles!
Facebook: Upstyle Hair + Makeup
Instagram: @upstyle.co
Pinterest: @upstyleco
www.upstyle.com / hello@upstyle.co
I hope you enjoyed getting to know the ladies of Upstyle Hair & Makeup! Do you know Jessica and Brittany? Show them a bit of love by commenting below!
Vendor Credits
Planning & Styling: Jack & Grace Events | Venue: Montgomery Pinetum Park in Greenwich, Connecticut | Florals: Carrie Wilcox Floral Design | Rentals: Gather & Lounge | Hair & Makeup: Upstyle | White Bridal Gown: Kelly Faetanini from A Little Something White Bridal Couture | Blush Bridal Dress: Jenny Yoo from Bella Bridesmaids Westport
