In today’s Wedding Vendor Highlight, I’m sharing an interview with Taylor Childs of Artistry by Taylor Childs. Taylor lives in the Shenandoah Valley. She serves all of Virginia as well as some domestic travels. We are lucky to have Taylor as the hair and makeup artist for Franzi Lee Photography. Today she’s sharing how she got started, tips for new brides, seniors and more. Plus I’m sharing some examples of her stunning work.
VENDOR HIGHLIGHT | Artistry by Taylor Childs
Name
Taylor Childs of Artistry by Taylor Childs
Hometown
Strasburg, VA
What’s your area of expertise?
Hair Styling and Makeup for Bridal, Prom, Pageant, and Special Events to include eyelash extension and coming soon spray tanning
When did you start? Background? Education? Experience
I started my journey in the makeup industry when I was competing for scholarship pageants, those included local, state and even national pageants. I was a client to many phenomenal hair and makeup artists, and this is where I found my passion. While sitting in the makeup chair, I found myself analyzing every single item in their kit and started asking myself not “what are they doing” but “why they were doing it that specific way and why that product is better than another”
My background in the pageant world has led me to become a successful hair and makeup artist. After my last pageant ever, Miss Collegiate America, I returned home and enrolled myself in a makeup artistry program. I then took a Master Class in NYC with the famous Mario Dedivanovic. Since then, I have been working freelance, with other artists as members of their team, and even in a salon setting on occasion.
Why do you do what you do?
This is a very simple question and is the most frequently asked. Passion, I have so much passion for what I do. Not just the skills I have to possess, but the knowledge I have in this field. This industry is one that is constantly changing and continuing to educate myself and my clients is why I love my job. It’s not just that I get to make people look and feel beautiful, it’s the ability to leave a client with the feeling of “I look my best, I feel my best, all because I chose the best.” I don’t just want my client to receive a makeup application, I want them to receive knowledge about their skin, hair and why I chose certain products for them.
What is your definition of beauty?
This is so simplistic, and often overthought. Beauty is not just physical appearance, it’s about a beautiful attitude. It’s about being the same person on the inside, as you are on the out.
What do your services include?
My services include; bridal makeup, prom, pageant, special event makeup, hair styling, eyelash extensions, and coming soon – spray tanning.
When should a bride start searching for and booking a hair and makeup artist? How soon before the wedding day?
Everyone is different, I’ve had brides inquire a year before, 6 months before and even 3 weeks before. My suggestion is to inquire at least 6-8 months before your wedding day. Makeup artists typically suggest a ‘preview session’ which is a makeup application that can be used for your bridal shower, engagement photos, bachelorette party, etc. This is a consultation to go over what your ideal look will be the day of your wedding, to ensure that your skin reacts beautifully to all products and to test the longevity of products after multiple hours of wear. This consultation is crucial for a makeup artist to be able to give you your best look on the most important day!
What should a bride look for/ask when looking for a hair and make-up artist?
Most brides today use Pinterest while looking for wedding makeup. While this is a great tool, it can sometimes be misleading. The best thing that a bride can do is to have an open mind, the willingness to ask, “what’s best for me and my features” instead of “this is what I want to look like.” We all want to look like Jennifer Lopez or Blake Lively, but the reality is this, we are all different. There are face shapes, eye shapes, eye spacing, nose shapes, lips, etc. Everyone’s surface area is different, but beautiful when enhanced in the right ways. Trust the artist you’ve hired to make you look like the best version of you, while keeping the communication open and honest.
Things to consider when selecting a hair style?
Weather is really the biggest factor when selecting hair styles, along with the neckline of the gown. If you’re having an outdoor wedding in the middle of July, the heat and humidity, along with perspiration, the hair will frizz and fall in a matter of minutes outside. Whereas, a classy up-do will last all day and keep the neck cool, and hair away from the face and eyes.
Indoor weddings allow for more options, mostly the neckline of the dress determines the hairstyle, along with the face shape of the bride. There should be a hairstyling preview session, just like the makeup.
Any other information you would like to share that might be helpful for brides?
When getting your makeup done, it is so important to have a clean moisturized face (without containing SPF). A robe or button shirt is also important so that makeup can be applied to the chest/collar bone areas if its needed. Getting plenty of rest the night before is also extremely important. It cuts back on dark circles, swelling, or redness in the eyes when you are well rested. Chapstick is your best friend! It is nearly impossible to apply lip liner, lipstick, or lip gloss on dry or cracking lips. So start using Chapstick regularly if you know you’ll be receiving makeup in the next few days!
How & where can couples find/contact you?
You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, twitter, or my website! I strongly encourage potential clients to search through an artist’s portfolio. Select images that they like and allow the artist to educate them on what will work for them, or maybe what could be a better choice. It is important to find previous work done by the artist that you are happy with.
Instagram: @_artistrybytaylor
Twitter: @artistrybytay
Facebook: @bookartistrybytaylor
Website: artistrybytaylor.com
Phone: 540.624.3730
Email: bookartistrybytaylor@gmail.com
To view more of my recent weddings, click here!
