Kate is an AMAZING Professional Makeup Artist!…read more My mom and I just had our appointments with Kate for a wedding-day makeup test-run, and I am seriously SO happy that Kate is doing my makeup for my wedding day...I am so thankful that I met her. My mom and I felt the prettiest that I think either of us ever have after Kate was finished with our makeup. I have had my makeup done professionally in the past and never liked it (I always washed it off and did it myself) -- I am so picky about my makeup, but I was seriously blown away when I looked at myself in the mirror after Kate was done - she is truly gifted and I felt so pretty! My mom (who is SO picky) was so happy with her makeup too that she couldn't stop smiling. I was already excited for my wedding, but I am so much more excited for my wedding day now! Thank you so much, Kate!!! I'm so excited!

A no-hassle way to get pretty on your wedding day? Coming right up!…read more After getting several quotes from other makeup artists and companies...I was frustrated and feeling a bit like "screw this, I can do my own makeup and hair!" Inflexible, upcharges for everything, outrageously expensive, booked, etc etc. No thanks. Then, a light bulb flashed... I actually found Julia (the makeup artist at Pretty Windy City) through her other affiliated venture, Vavoom Pinups. She spends time there making gals into cute little sexpot kittens for the camera. We took a friend of mine there for a shoot a year or so back and I remember the makeup being fantastic, Julia being phenomenal (and fun, and low stress), etc, etc, etc. So, I was pretty thrilled when I emailed and Julia told me that they actually love doing weddings and she also had a hair girl (Sara). Bonus! And that they'd come to my hotel, no problem. AND that they'd come to my house to do my trial. Could they have made it any better? In a time that was actually a bit helter skelter, the gals at PWC made life sparkle. They materialized my "vision" (meaning, pinterest board with random photos) into something I loved. Super simple, but glam. Julia uses airbrush foundation, which gave me a glow that more than one person commented on. Of course, I told my husband it was surely because I was so happy...but really, the makeup job was bangin'. Loved my hair too. Also simple and fresh, upscale without being severe. Sara is a gem! Pretty Windy City was all that and a bagga'chips and thus they are at the top of my list in terms of "wedding vendors." They made the afternoon fun, they weren't frantic or stressed out, they were flexible, they made my mom and grandmother look beautiful, and were all around just really fun gals to have at the hotel that day. Down to earth. Not divas. My grandmother (who I adore) said it was actually her very favorite part of the day, which touched my heart. I know she felt really beautiful walking out of that hotel room, and I was so grateful to J&S for making her feel special. Sara even fluffed up her hair on the fly after she got caught in the rain! True service and heart in this company. I'll post photos once I have them from the photographer! *payable by cash or check. *email for quotes/pricing. *no minimums, they'll come do just the bride if that's what you'd like. *if they travel to hotel, you'll pay for their parking, of course. *tell them I said hello!

Julia and Sara just did my trial makeup and hair for my upcoming wedding…read more They are badass! I love what they did with my hair and makeup. Plus, they are hilarious, fun, affordable and professional. I highly recommend them!

So...I've had the same hairdresser for the past decade, but she wasn't able to do the hair for my…read moreSeptember 2015 wedding (she was a little busy, having a baby!). I was nervous about having someone I didn't know styling my hair, but my stylist highly recommended Vanessa. I'm so glad that we were connected! She did a fabulous job, and was really great to work with! Vanessa came over to my place for a hair trial about a month before the wedding. We had exchanged some emails and pictures of styles I liked, and I really felt like Vanessa understood what I wanted and was able to match that to my hair. I was on the fence about whether or not I was going to do a flower crown in my hair (ultimately I did), and Vanessa gave me a style with flexibility in case I changed my mind the day of the wedding. She was also really easy to chat with, and I instantly enjoyed her company. She has a calming, easy-going presence - a big plus on your wedding day! Vanessa ended up doing the hair for me, four bridal party members, and my mom. Everyone looked great, and each person had a unique look that fit their personalities. I love the way that my hair turned out, and it lasted through a windy rooftop ceremony and hours of dancing!

Vanessa has been styling my hair for almost two years and she also coordinated my wedding hair and…read moremake-up in September 2015. She is professional, responsive, fun, patient and a great listener! She helped me grow out my hair leading up to the wedding to a good length while keeping the style fun and functional. We met for a trial (which I highly recommend to any bride) and worked through what I liked/disliked for my wedding style - I was surprised how much I liked on Pinterest that just didn't translate on my hair color/texture/face shape. The day-of style was perfect and better than anything I could have found on Pinterest. Vanessa created a totally customized, beautiful, sophisticated look and my hair piece was incorporated perfectly. She even stuck around to help place my veil! If you are looking for a thoughtful and creative stylist for your wedding day, look no further!

Michael Meyer's talent is immeasurable…read more I never believed eyebrow shaping, lash tinting, and custom blend makeup was an art form until I met Michael Meyer many, many years ago at Mon Ami. My hair stylist at the time was located at this small salon on Oak and introduced me to Michael. Thanks to Michael, my eyebrows have never looked better; my makeup never felt so light and natural. If it couldn't get any better, it did -- the handmade creations, tints and brow shaping outlasted anything that I have ever used prior, making each purchase and visit well worth every dollar spent. His genius goes a long way, instructing, advising and explaining as he works; taking his time in every movement, stroke, pluck, color mix and more. My original hair stylist is a distant memory as I struck gold in finding and then following Michael wherever he goes. The addiction has spread to my mother who comes in from Indiana, my aunts, friends and clients. Whenever one of my clients has a special event, wedding or just wants to look beautiful, I recommend Michael. He never disappoints. For someone so gifted to work on photo shoots and celebrities, you would think snobbery would be a factor. Not the case. Michael is professional, friendly, gentle and generous. Answering his own phone, making his own appointments, treating every client elegantly, he's one of a kind. Now, My Brows My Makeup is Michael's sole creation, located in the Taylor-Reese Salon. Venturing on his own, more popular then ever, Meyer is proving yet again that doing it his way is the best way. Michael Meyer: My Brows My Makeup 6 West Maple Chicago, IL 60610 312-848-5510 michaelmakeup@ymail.com MybrowsMymakeup.com

Michael is nothing short of A-MAZING! He has been tweezing, and shaping my brows since I moved to…read moreChicago in October 2001. When I first moved to Chicago, my brows were "so thin" - and he was awesome in helping me shape and design a new brow as they grew in. I won't let anyone other than Michael touch my meticulously groomed brows - and its been close to 16 years since Michael created my new look! But our relationship has grown beyond just being my brow specialist - in 2005, Michael was the master behind my gorgeous wedding makeup. He has been there for me for numerous occasions - my wedding shower; my rehearsal dinner; my wedding; my baby shower; holiday parties; weddings, or just when I want to look and feel beautiful. When Michael creates my "look" - I look gorgeous and I feel so much more confident. He will even make a "house call" when I suddenly decide that I need my brows and/or make-up done last minute. Michael has even volunteered to go make-up shopping with me - and teach me how to apply my own make-up. Who does that???? MICHAEL!!!!!!!! Having my make-up done has seriously become an addiction! Michael is beyond amazing - and he is so fantastic at what he does! Whether he is creating my own personalized and customized blended J. LO bronzer/shimmer or creating a fabulous look to go with my fashion-forward ensemble, I know that I can rely and depend on Michael to always come through for me with a gorgeous make-up application that will even stretch to a 2nd day! Thank you Michael for coming into my life and for always being my go-to guy for make-up and brows.

I've hired josh quite a few times now. Once was for a bridal party (he also did the Brides makeup!)…read moreand once was for a photoshoot I needed to do for work. His skills are unparalleled - he knows exactly the type of makeup and colors to use based on your face/shape/needs. The way he applies makeup is so gentle yet with the right touch because it stayed put all day and night (through dancing and all) which is super rare for my face/past makeup experiences. He also has an extensive knowledge of the beauty space so if you need recommendations even beyond makeup - he's your guy. He's always so accommodating and is such a pleasure to be around. I could sit in the makeup chair all day with his energy!

Hired Josh to do makeup for myself and my bridal party for my wedding (did my trial for my…read moreengagement photo shoot) and he is absolutely amazing. I mean really I could not have asked for better. We had a lot of different people with different skin tones and unique skin needs and everyone was so happy with his work. My makeup not only was exactly what I was wanting but *did not budge* and this was traditional makeup (not airbrush). Beyond that he's just a pleasure to work with, super friendly but also very professional. Cannot recommend him enough!

Dawn is a fantastic make up artist. She spent time deciding on a look that suited my features which…read moreI really appreciated and I think that made all the difference in the end result. She has great communication. She responded quickly and was easy to schedule. She accepts online payments. I went to her, for my appointment but she also travels. I can not recommend her enough. I will definitely be booking her for my next event.

THE BEST. Still the best make up job I have ever had almost 7 years after my wedding. I wish I…read morelived closer to use her for all my events forever. Her personality is also SO fun. I was ready to have her join the bridal party. Love love love!!

Jennifer has done my makeup for a variety of occasions while I was living in Chicago. I travel back…read morefor work fairly often, and she recently was my artist for an event that I really needed to stand out at. She always makes me look like the best version of myself and yet I'm never too made up. She is very capable of creating different looks depending on the occasion, and she is always very attentive to what I communicate about the application I am hoping for. On top of her skills and professionalism, she is a lot of fun to hang out with! I wish I could pack her in my bag and take her back to Austin with me...but since that is impossible, I know I will always look my best when in Chicago.

Jennifer was my wedding day make up artist. She is absolutely AMAZING!!! I loved my make up, and my…read morewedding pictures turned out fantastic because of her! Jennifer also did the make up for all of my bridesmaids. Everyone was thrilled with her work! You can't go wrong with selecting her as your make up artist!

Marla is a total gem! Not only is she brilliantly talented in her passion for makeup artistry, she…read moreis a pure joy to be around. Spending the afternoon with her was nothing short of delightful. I had booked Marla months in advance for my wedding this past summer. She was generous enough to suggest booking my bridal makeup trial on the day of my bachelorette party, then alter it to give me a completely different "smouldering bachelorette" look. In addition, Marla seamlessly created custom looks for each gal in my bridal party to ensure they felt comfortable and beautiful in their makeup looks (not an easy task, since my crew included both "girly girls" and more "natural" beauties). She is cool and relaxed, wildly flattering (which is a nice bridal perk), and clearly in love with her job. Brides: booking Marla to create your beauty look will be the best treat you give yourself on your wedding day- short of your husband, of course! :)

I've gone to Marla for various occasions, and each time was better than the last. So there was no…read morequestion who was going to do my makeup on my wedding day. She listened to what I wanted, and she not only gave me the look I was going for but exceeded my expectations! Future brides to be.... You won't be disappointed!