Hair & Makeup Artist - Melissa Souza
- Business: Styled x Melissa
- Location: Claremont, California CA
- Experience: 10+ Years
- Profile: Styled x Melissa
- Website: www.styledxmelissa.com
1. Introduction: What's your story?
I am a color enthusiast, specializing in extensions and dimensional color, and I work on bridal events throughout the year. I am also the creator/owner of Styled x Melissa.
My career has spanned over a decade in the beauty industry. I've always been told I had an eye for design and fashion and found the beauty industry captivating. I began my career in the world of beauty as a celebrity and editorial stylist. Fate allowed me the opportunity to reside as the Fashion Editor for the luxury magazine CVLUX for a period of time before committing full time to hairstyling.
With a passion for helping all my clients to feel their very best, I believe in elevating client image creatively and through an in and out-of-the salon concierge approach. I believe in educating my guests about every service, how to recreate styles, and sharing stylist tips! Be sure to follow me on Instagram @styledxmelissa for inspiration and education.
Some fun facts about me:
*I've styled celebrity clients for editorial, press events, red carpets, music videos, film, television, etc...
*I've been invited as a speaker at several fashion event/panels, and television style expert appearances
*I enjoy a well-mixed old fashion + sipping the perfect peanut butter whiskey!
*I'm a huge animal lover
*My most prized job yet is momma
2. What's your experience as a bridal hair & makeup artist? How many brides are in there in your portfolio?
Bridal shoots began early in my career with editorial work until one day I decided to expand my work from the set to actual brides on their wedding day! Currently, with a busy behind-the-chair extensions career, I take on only a handful of brides yearly.
3. What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?
I offer a variety of packages from the initial engagement to the big day. My post popular is The Diamond Experience. Brides like to plan ahead and be comfortable knowing they're in good hands and feel stress-free about one aspect of their bridal planning. This particular package offers a bride hair for her engagement photos, a perfect time to meet and get a mini-glam session, as well as a bridal trial to try out several styles she may be loving on paper and want to finalize her perfect look. Finally, this package ends with hair on her special day. New for 2023 is the Ruby Experience! I'm so excited to offer brides their engagement photos they'll treasure, a trial, stress-less day-of styling, and an hour of touch ups for their photos after the ceremony and before making their grand entrance at the reception!
4. Do you have a team of assistants or will you be the only artist that day? What will happen if you're sick or have an emergency on the wedding day?
I am the lead artist and accustomed to doing large wedding parties on my own. However, if after our consultation, I feel the party is too large for me to achieve a stellar service, I have a list of trusted, local artists on call for assistance or emergencies.
5. Do you charge a travel fee? For what distance? What does that cover?
Travel fees range depending on how far I'll be going for the big day. I do offer travel cross-country so those fees are discussed when flights, hotel stay, car service, etc... need to be arranged. For any travel over a 20 mile radius round trip from my salon suite, I assess a $1/mile roundtrip fee. All parking fees are assessed to the client.
6. Can the bride book a wedding makeup trial appointment and will you also do a trial before the wedding?
Absolutely, a hair trial service can and should be booked when possible. While it's not a must, I do highly recommend a trial so my bride and I can get acquainted and try out styles. This ensures a less-stress atmosphere on her big day, knowing exactly what to expect.
7. What beauty products do you use and would you be open to the bride using her own make-up?
As I only provide hair services, I ask that the bride and any bridal guests have clean, product-free hair; damp if requiring a blowout prior to styling services. This ensures that styling product chosen for individual styles will work well and hold the style for as long as possible. I only use salon quality products.
8. How can you make the bride's wedding makeup last and look good in photos?
Again, as I only provide hair services, I utilize salon quality products and offer good holding spray solutions to maintain styles. I do recommend a touch up session to refresh, replace any small pieces that may straggle due to environmental weather conditions {wind, snow, rain} that remain out of my control.
9. How long will makeup take on the day and how long will you be staying for on the day?
Generally all hair styles take about an hour for wedding guests/parties. However, I block and plan for 2 hours for my brides. Whether we've had a bridal trial or not, this ensures ample time should any unforeseen circumstances arise. Most often, we do not take all 2 hours, but I find that having that time allotted eases the brides nerves and gives ample time to perfect a look in a stress-less environment.
10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?
Once a contract has been submitted and the deposit collected, it is non-refundable and your date is booked. I do require a 2 week cancellation; however, I do understand that emergencies can arise and I try to be as flexible as possible. Final bill must be paid on the last business day 7 days prior to a booked date. If the get ready location or time is changing, I will do my best to accommodate the changes but there is no guarantee as my schedule and my list of contacts in an emergency remain extremely busy.
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