I had the luckiest spot in the world at the Nonconforming Bridal Fair on Sunday. I was placed right next to Alison of Belle Soeur and Annette’s Creations – Edible Chocolate Art (omg seriously the best freakin’ chocolate I have EVER had … this one was a chocolate covered caramel brownie. Yes, just let that image simmer while I dream about how it tasted…)
Anyway, I hoped Alison & I would get along because she had the coolest black flower hairpiece in her hair and was rockin’ the most adorable white frock and cowboy boots. Sorry Alison, but I totally judge! (Who doesn’t??). Lucky for me, Alison turned out to be so awesome and I couldn’t wait to write-up a Capitol Vendor Spotlight on her business.
Belle Soeur is an on-site hair, makeup, and massage (massage! what a great idea!) business that sets out to pamper brides to be in the Maryland, DC, & Northern Virginia areas. Alison was quick to tell me too, that she loves offbeat, unique, and nonconforming brides and bridesmaids more than anything!
Which makes them the perfect kind of vendor to be featuring on Capitol Romance!
First, let’s get to know Belle Soeur a bit better:
Q. How did you get into the wedding hair & makeup styling business?
Surprisingly, I wasn’t braiding my barbies hair when I was 6 like most of my colleagues. I was in college to become a sign language interpreter when my younger sister and business partner enrolled in the Paul Mitchell program. I went to her school as a model, took a tour and signed up with in the month. I loved the schools approach and I believe that all of us artists have the opportunity to make someones day. I never thought this was something I would get into but I’m in love. The idea of making someone look and feel both fabulous and pampered is very appealing.
Q. What makes Belle Soeur unique?
Belle Soeur has a talented staff of 16 lovely women. This allows us to pamper average sized larger parties in a reasonable amount of time. Meaning you don’t have to get up for hair and makeup at 5am or pay extra for an assistant fee. Having a staff this large also allow for a back up plan. Meaning that if some type of emergency were to come up, we have secondary artists on hold. Above all of this though, we focus on customer service. We are a strictly on site service, meaning we come to the client for both the trial run and the day of the wedding. We also bring the spa like atmosphere to the morning. We come prepared with all of our own equipment as well as robes for the bridal party and our infamous relaxation kit. [sparkling pomegranate juice, champagne glasses, strawberries, etc] Oh, I guess I should mention that our girls really are talented too!
Q. What are your favorite styles to incorporate into brides’ hair & makeup?
As a hair stylist I love working with hair to find a style that looks and feels natural. I love loose [but secure!] romantic, organic styles. I find that you get the softest and most flattering styles when you work with what the hair and don’t fight it. Those old prom-bomb, highly hair sprayed, tight hair styles make me shutter.
Q. Your current music/band must have?
oh.my.god. I love you for this question. I am currently going through this obsession with my old cd collection. Nothing new over here, just a lot of Matchbox twenty, Bon Jovi and counting crows. Although I am quite guilty of dancing to an old spice girls cd in to my hair brush now and then.
Now, check out some of their mad skills in action:
3 comments
Oh yay! I love this. Thank you so much for featuring us and for the shout out to my cowboy boots! <3
one word…AWESOME!
I used Belle Soeur for my BM and my hair and was unbelievably happy with them. The artists were AMAZING!