As your Virginia Wedding Planners, it’s important for us to know the best of the best across the vendor board. Our couples put their trust in us to deliver on the greatest recommendations for them. Lucky for you, we have worked with many talented wedding experts throughout Virginia, D.C. and Maryland!  So we are excited to finally spotlight some of our favorite friendors (friend + vendor) here with you! Starting with Kelsea, the owner of Radiant Reflection.  She’s one of our top ‘go-to’ hair and makeup artists when brides ask for suggestions. Super skilled and just has so much passion for what she does and you can really see it in her work!

Enjoy meeting Kelsea, a Virginia Hair and Makeup Artist!

Vision Balm Photo

Tell us about you and your business?

I started the business in 2016, and quickly discovered a need for there to be more teams in the bridal beauty space. While we are a team, we are still small so that people can feel a sense of individuality and really get to know who their artist is. We value each individual experience rather than focusing on large numbers.

How did you get started? 

I had a love for the beauty industry from a very young age, and jumped at the opportunity to attend cosmetology school while in High School.  After spending a few years in the salon I realized what I enjoyed most was special occasion styling and makeup artistry.

How do you help brides discover their wedding day style/look?

I have people choose styles and makeup looks they do like, and that they do not like. It is helpful to see any small detail someone likes in a photo, even if it is only the cheek color. I go through photos that are similar and point out the differences to really understand someone’s vision. From there I ask how they want to feel in their wedding day hair/makeup, and build the look using all of those details.

Chelsea Felty Photography

What does your typical wedding day schedule look like? 

Our schedule depends on the photographer’s schedule. We ask what time your photographer would like people to be dressed so we can back up the time from that point. We allow 45 minutes for each service.

What tips would you give couples looking for a HMU team?

Look for teams who create looks you really like. Even if they have not posted the exact photo of a style you would like, as long as you see motifs in their work you like it will be a good fit for you. For example, if you lean towards wanting a loose, effortless flow to your hairstyle looks for artists who enjoy and often post these types of styles.

Ask about how many artists can be a part of your day and what the additional artist fees are.

Alex C. Tenser Photography

Kayla Coleman Photography

 

What would you like to educate couples (and other vendors) about when it comes to the behind-the-scenes of your work?

The average cost of a high end up artists’ kit is around $10,000. They typically bring lighting that is around $800 to ensure they can do beautiful work no matter the space where they are getting people ready. Sometimes the individual makeup application can seem like a high rate, but if someone were to buy all of the products to use on themselves for the application it would be around $1,000+. The product cost also does not include the skill required to apply makeup in a flawless way.

A lot of times people often think the money we make is only for the 5-6 hours time we are physically doing services. The rate also includes the time it takes for us to prep & clean our kit after each wedding, time spent e-mailing, and helping to build the beauty timeline.

Makeup and hair rates are set at a place where we can ensure you are getting the high end, luxury experience you deserve on your wedding day!

Hair & Makeup inspiration photos are so wonderful to get the conversation started. There are some misunderstandings that I walk my clients through such as clean, dry hair will style better than dirty hair. Hair extensions are needed to live up to 90% of the styles found on Pinterest. And, makeup that looks natural in photos can feel like more than you wear everyday.

Christy McKee Photography

 

If you could do HMU for any person, who would be?

Michelle Obama!!

Give us some fun facts about you! 

I love to travel! As soon as one trip is over, I am usually planning the next one.

I am a bride to be myself, and will get married this June!

I have never read any of the Harry Potter books (I got one for Christmas and I need to start it!)

One pet peeve of mine is seeing grocery carts not being put back in their proper place

If I could only use one makeup product for the rest of my life it would be an eyebrow pencil/gel

Vision Balm Photo

 

Congrats, Kelsea on your upcoming wedding and thank you for sharing with us today! We can’t wait to see photos of your own wedding day look.  To see more of this talented Virginia Hair and Makeup Artist, head to Hill City Blog to see our latest collaboration.