Travel from Merrillville, IN

Booking times per service- 45mins per attendee, 60mins Bride/Guest of honor

Wedding services offered: Makeup

Tell us a bit about your background and experience in the beauty industry: I've been working as a makeup artist for 17 years. My first foray into makeup was working as a filler in the cosmetics department in Carson Pirie Scott as a part time job after high school. I eventually realized that I wanted to pursue makeup as a career so I attended London Eyes Makeup Academy in 2006, and then began working at Mario Tricoci as a makeup artist in 2007. Since then I've worked with various beauty brands including Lancome, MAC, Nars, Maybelline, IMAN, and others. In 2012, I decided to leave beauty retail for good and concentrate on freelancing--primarily weddings.

What is your favorite thing about working with wedding parties?: I truly consider it an honor to be in such an intimate space with brides and their loved ones on one of the most memorable and momentous occasions of their life. It's nice knowing that the hour I get to spend pampering and beautifying my bride is probably one of the last moments she'll have to relax and take everything in before her day takes off. Helping people feel like the most beautiful and polished versions of themselves is such a satisfying feeling, and one that I enjoy each and every time I finish.

Brag on yourself! We want to hear what makes you most proud of your work?: I'm proud of how much I've grown over the years--not just in my artistry but my ability to handle whatever comes my way. Whether it's staying calm and not missing a beat when you forget your brushes at home an hour away, or you show up and realize you have to double the amount of clients in the same amount of time because your second artist came down with Covid the night before. I may be stressed out to the moon and back, but my clients will never see me sweat. I'm also proud of my ability to give the client what they want. I try to make every session I have with the client about them and not me, so I always make sure to have a very thorough consultation because I want to make sure that they are happy and walk away feeling like this is the best they've ever looked. I've had clients tell me countless times that when they've had their makeup done in the past, the artist pretty much did what they wanted without really listening and they appreciated that I really consulted with them to give them a look that they loved--some will say even better than their own wedding day.

Let's hear about any classes, continued education, or creative projects you've done recently: I recently took a class with Jacqueline Jaber which focused on a more glam application. I've also had the opportunity to have either taken classes with, or studied under some of my makeup heroes that have been incredibly influential on my career such as: such as: Renny Vasquez, Nicky Posley, Reggie Wells , Sir John, Kevin James Bennet, and Tiyana Robinson

You can pick one specialty for the rest of your career- what is it?: Elopements and destination weddings.

What's in your kit? Favorite brands & Products: lip colors: Pat McGrath Lipsticks, Maybelline liquid lipsticks, NYX butter gloss

skin: Charlotte Tilbury beautiful skin foundation, ELF halo glow, RCMA, Graftobian, Temptu, Hourglass concealer

powders: RCMA no color powder, YSL soufle finishing powder, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

Skin prep and finishing: Sonia Roselli water balm and water elixir, The ordinary Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic essence, and squalene oil, MAC fix +, Kryolan Fixing Spray

Favorite stores to shop at?: Nordstrom. Greatest department store in the world, and I never regret spending money there.

Favorite makeup look(s) to do:: Natural, Bronzy glow, Neutral, Clean girl, Dewy, No makeup- makeup, Fresh faced

What's your hidden talent?: I don't know how "hidden" it is, but balling (and by balling I mean traveling) on a budget

What's on your playlist? (Netflix/spotify/podcasts, etc): Apparently I only watch period pieces and listen to sports (and sports business) podcasts

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?: Attending live events, included but not limited to: sporting events, concerts, stand up, the theatre, the symphony, the opera, the ballet, etc. Also taking random solo trips (preferably out of the country) without telling anyone.