Name: Allyson Stagg
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Company Name: The Las Vegas Style Sirens LLC
Number of Years in Business: 1!!!
Website: www.LVStyleSirens.com
Blog: www.LVStyleSirens.Blogspot.com
Twitter: @LVStyleSirens
How did you get started in makeup/hair?
I was majoring in Musical Theater and it required me to take a stage makeup class. I fell in love with it the first day. I knew that was what I wanted to do. That was the one class I never missed!
What did you do prior to this?
I worked at the Stratosphere as a Marilyn Monroe impersonator.
How do you describe your makeup style?
For me personally, it is very vintage/retro/pin-up. I LOVE soft eye makeup with a bold lip. However, I am always willing to try something new! As far as my clients go, it really just depends on the woman. From the second I first see her, I already have two makeup looks in mind that I would like to do on her. Then once I start talking to her and get to know more about her and her personality, I make adjustments in my mind to fit her comfort zone, wants and needs.
If you didn't do makeup/hair for a living what would you be doing instead?
I would want to be on Broadway for sure! That was always my dream as a little girl. I would also love to be an attorney.
What are some of your hobbies?
I love ballroom dancing (especially Salsa!), making my own custom hair accessories, being a mommy, going to school (I’m studying Business Law and Marketing… huge adjustment from Musical Theater :), cooking, baking, and finding new hobbies. I am such a busy body. I love to learn new things. I have a new hobby every week! What is the craziest wedding experience you've ever had?
One of the first weddings I ever did make up for was quite a different experience. It was for a couple who flew into town from a small town in the Midwest. When I first arrived to do the brides makeup, I asked for the style and theme of the wedding. She proceeded to tell me it was a “Vegas Style” wedding complete with Elvis and all. Then I asked if I could see her dress for some inspiration. She took out her dress and it was hand tie dyed by her and her mother. I was certainly in shock. What was funny was she actually wanted really natural makeup. That was the first and last time (so far) I have ever seen a bride in a tie dyed dress.
What is the best wedding experience you've ever had?
We had a couple fly in from Australia a few months back to elope herein Las Vegas. We were in contact with them several months before they came out, and when they got here we just adored them! We had so much fun with them on their wedding day and we wanted to spend more time getting to know them. We took them around Las Vegas, had dinner with them, and showed them some cool things about Sin City. After they left, we stayed in good contact with them. A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from my blushing bride that her groom had passed away in a car accident a few days earlier. They were only married a few months. I was heartbroken. Although this was hard news to hear, I was so happy that we got to be part of their wedding and share that special time with them. That couple will always have a special place in my heart.
What is your inspiration?
Makeup is such a personal form of art. I seem to find my inspiration in the most random things. A pattern on an umbrella or the color scheme on a book cover might strike a mood or image that I use as inspiration in my work. I also look to other makeup artists for inspiration. I love to learn new techniques and ideas from all of the talented artists out there that share the same passion for makeup as I do.
Name an exotic location you'd like to visit soon.
Tokyo, Rome, and Spain are at the top of my list!
Why do your clients choose you over some of your competitors?
In the beauty industry, it is all about a personal connection and trust that is built between the client and artist. You have to have a connection with your makeup artist and hair stylist because they are literally going to be in your face all day long! You also need to believe in their skill and knowledge of the service that they are providing. If they are styling your hair, you need to be sure that they can accomplish the style that you are looking for in a timely manner, place any veils, hairpieces, or flowers securely, and that they will have the ability to make your hair style last all day. As far as a makeup artist, you need to be sure that you have someone that is knowledgeable in the wear time and the product that they are using. You want someone who is familiar with different skin types, contouring and highlighting, lighting in photographs and video, and any special requests you might have such as airbrush makeup or tattoo covering. My staff is very talented, knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. We always welcome questions, comments and concerns! What is the best piece of advice you can offer a bride and groom on their wedding day?
Don’t forget to eat!!!
Don’t stress out if every little detail doesn’t go just as you planned. No one else will notice except you. I promise. This day is far too important to let the fact that your napkins were folded into squares instead of triangles ruin it!
As far as your beauty needs go, if it is at all possible, you should have a hair and makeup trial done. This will make your wedding day go by so smooth! If you meet with your hair stylist and makeup artist beforehand, you will have plenty of time to make sure you connect with them, and that they can accomplish the look that you want. This will be one less thing you need to worry to about on your wedding day because you will already know exactly what you are going to look like. This also gives you an opportunity to wear the hair style and makeup all day to see if it will last. If it doesn’t you can either look into a trial with another company, or you can talk to your artist to discuss the problem that you had so that they are sure to fix it on your wedding day.
You should also be sure to listen to all of your wedding professionals. Most of them have been doing this for a very long time and are extremely knowledgeable. Trust their opinion, but be sure to do your own research so that you are well informed and know the right questions to ask when you hire them in the first place.
Anything else interesting you'd like to share?
I am so blessed to be able to do what I love for a living and work with so many amazing wedding professionals here in Las Vegas. We are so lucky to have met all of the talented people and artists that we have and we look forward to meeting so many more!!
Juliet's notes: Be sure to check out their most recent work featured in Style Me Pretty's "From Inspiration to Reality" shoot. Coordinated by the fabulous Tracey Kumer-Moore of Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge. Photos by Chelsea Nicole. And a team of other wonderful professionals.
Photo credit for Allyson's photo: Jessi Alexis Photography
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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com