Make Up Artist of the Month
Interview
with Melinda Douglas
Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist catering to the Bridal Industry
I interviewed Melinda after reading her beauty tips for brides in the Summer 1999 issue of Los Angeles Wedding Pages Magazine. Working exclusively with brides in the San Gabriel Valley, Melinda is highly experienced in the field of bridal makeup and hair design. Her work has been featured in Latina Bride; the March/April issue of Super Onda Magazine, and in LA Wedding Pages article "Total Beauty". April showers bring May flowers and June brides are among us! Read up on the latest bridal scoop for 1999 with Melinda's expert advice.
What made you decide
to work exclusively in the field of bridal hair and makeup?
Every
bride is beautiful no matter what they look like. I wanted to be that
person who made the star of the day beautiful. I knew in beauty school
when they started talking about bridal hair and makeup, that I wanted
to do that. As soon as I got my cosmetology license I headed in that direct
market. I found out how to get into bridal shows, bridal expos, and contacted
photographers.
Where did you attend
cosmetology school and how long have you been licensed?
I
have been licensed for 3 years. I went to Rosemead Beauty School in Rosemead,
CA. I apprenticed for one year at 2 different salons. At the third salon
I moved over to Monrovia and had no clients at all. I stuck it out, passed
out cards and fliers for free haircuts, and built up my clientele. I then
started to get into the bridal end of makeup and hair. I am currently
at Unique Beautique in Monrovia and currently have over 200 clients.
How long has your business
been geared to brides exclusively?
About
two years now. I did on average thirty brides last year not including
members of the wedding party.
What did you do prior
to becoming a cosmetologist and makeup artist?
I
was a floral designer for 3 years, a cashier at Ralph's grocery store
for 5 years, a waitress in the Nordstrom's café for 13 years. I gained
a lot of experience with customer service. The customer is always right
and I learned a great deal. I have done a little bit of everything.
What made you decide
to become a cosmetologist?
I
had always had an interest in becoming a cosmetologist as far back as
high school. I had an opportunity to move back home and my father asked
what I wanted to do. I had always wanted to go to beauty school, 3 days
later I was enrolled, and 13 months later I was a licensed cosmetologist.
What other certifications
do you have that entices brides to your expertise?
I
go to classes constantly, I am always educating myself. I work exclusively
with Aveda products. I attend all their educational training seminars.
I am also an educator for Schwarzkopf hair color. I teach new salons how
to use the hair color. As far as bridal work it is just a matter of classes,
there is no certification. The more you do it the better you get.
: Take the Makeup Mania
readers through an initial phone call contact with you, with the intention
that we are a potential client.
When
you call, I always congratulate you and ask when the wedding day is. I
do this right off so I don't go through an entire interview to discover
I am booked. I ask the location and if I am driving to it. If the wedding
is in the local vicinity the first 10 miles are free. Otherwise I charge
$1/per mile, one way. I then start my prices, $45 for hair and $35 for
makeup. I require a trial run for a bride. I do not go in blindfolded.
They come into the salon for the trial run and bring their headpiece.
The wedding day is their choice as to coming to the salon or me going
to their location. 99% of the time I travel to the location.
What happens when a
bride books a trial run with you in the salon?
I
usually have brides bring photos of any hair or makeup ideas they have
so I can get a general idea of their interests. We talk about the dress
style and color, flowers, general colors throughout the wedding and environment
(indoors or outdoors). This gives me a chance to evaluate what I am working
with. I start by setting the hair and then begin applying the makeup.
I start light with my makeup application and build to the intensity that
the bride wants. I focus on eye, skin and hair color for natural guidelines
for makeup choice. Most brides want to look natural like they are wearing
no makeup. I try to harmonize dress, flower, eye, skin, and hair color
together for an overall completed look. After we work through the makeup
application I begin to style the hair. I try to compliment the face shape
when working with the hair and style it appropriately with the headpiece.
Do you use Aveda products
exclusively?
Yes.
The makeup is all natural, the display is nice and it sells its name.
Brides have the option to buy products from me, they can customize their
color palette and have everything right there on their wedding day.
Outside
of cosmetology school, have you had any other makeup training?
I
did take a theatrical makeup class through Pasadena City College. John
Hanna was my instructor; he trained at the Joe Blasco Makeup Center in
Hollywood, CA.
What has been the most
challenging wedding you have done?
The
most challenging wedding I had was July 4th last year. I had two weddings.
The first one was out in Malibu at 7am. There were 2 girls there. At 9am,
I had to be in the Malibu Canyon area to do 8 girls. I ended up staying
until 3pm. The first bride was still asleep when I arrived and that threw
me off. The second wedding was a push!
What is your top 3
beauty tips for brides?
Develop
a skincare regimen, be faithful about it. Cleanse, tone and moisturize.
Drink plenty of water if you have dark circles. Get plenty of rest. Have
your lip and eyebrows waxed. Wear sunscreen!!!
What is your top 3
hair tips for brides?
I
suggest you color and/or weave highlights 2 to 4 weeks before your wedding.
Don't condition your hair the night before, it will shine with all the
products on it. It is also harder to tease and work with. Get a trim on
the ends of your hair 2 weeks prior to the big day. If your wearing curls
the ends will look fresh and healthy.
What
are the latest 1999 wedding trends for bridal hair and makeup?
More
pastel colors on eyes and lips. Lots of soft shimmer looks. The renaissance
tiaras are in for hair, not too many veils. If they do have a veil it
has no gathering in the back and it is just plain. The bride should keep
in mind that they can detach their headpieces at anytime, and realize
they are not stuck with their veil all day.
How do you keep cool
under all the pressure of a bride's wedding day?
I
try to keep the bride calm and cool. I ask to be alone with the bride
so I can work efficiently. I am very laid back in my approach and that
helps ease the worries of the bride. I know exactly how long it takes
me to complete my job, so I rarely ask, "how much time do we have?" I
am always on track with what needs to be done and how long I have.
Why would I want to
book with you for my bridal hair and makeup? What sets you apart from
your competition?
The
atmosphere of the salon I work at is very casual. We welcome you as family
and it is not intimidating. I am not a high strung person. I am honest
and upfront in my makeup and hair approach. I run my business like a business.
Melinda's work can be seen in Latina Bride, Spring and Summer '98 issues,
the March/April cover issue of Super Onda Magazine, and beauty tips in
Los Angeles Wedding Pages Summer '99 issue, "Total Beauty" article. She
also attends local bridal shows and expos. She is located at Unique Beautique,
106 East Colorado, Monrovia, CA 91016. She is available by appointment
only, (626) 303-8786 or toll free (888) 493-9666, or at Hairrzr@earthlink.net.
Look her up for all your hair and makeup bridal needs!
Look at some works by Melinda DouglasBack to Vanna in the Valley
Other Star Interviews:
Michael Burnett
Marietta Carter-Narcisse
Marvin Westmore
Eva Marie Denst
Ian Goodwin
Melinda Douglas
Art Anthony
Gregory Arlt
Beckie Kravetz
Douglas Noe
Karen Westerfield
Tina K
Rick Geyer
