Meet Haley Mcelwaney | Bridal Hair and Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Haley Mcelwaney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Haley, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started doing hair and makeup for friends and family at fourteen years old. I started with homecomings, proms, and photo shoots, and eventually came to weddings. The funny thing is that I was actually never allowed to wear makeup when I was younger. I think that’s what made me want to do it for other people so much. A few years ago I began posting some of my work on social media and ended up having several people reach out to me to do their weddings. After my first few weddings, I realized I loved the atmosphere. Wedding days are so full of love and happiness it’s hard not to fall in love with them. Seeing the reaction from the bride when she sees her finished look is one of my favorite parts. Doing what you love never really feels like a job. Being a part of those reactions and being surrounded by such a positive work environment made me start doing weddings full time. I chose to start my own business because get to have creative freedom over my business and how I do things. Running your own business is definitely a challenge, but it can be so rewarding if you keep at it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I will credit my success directly to hard work. Starting my own business has been challenging and rewarding all in one. In the beginning, I had no idea if it was going to work. There’s no way to know if your business will actually be a success unless you jump in head first and work hard to get to the top. One of the biggest challenges in the most recent years has been the pandemic. I think it’s safe to say the pandemic has effected all of us in some way. Most of the brides who were scheduled to be married during 2020 and some of 2021 have had to reschedule. Brides rescheduling means jobs were moved. To make up for this, I had to work even harder than before. Reaching out to potential clients, maintaining a social media presence, and keeping a positive mindset were the main things that kept my business going.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I think my favorite place to visit in the city is the aquarium. Bradley and I have been a few times, and every time we go is just as exciting as the first. I have always had a love for water and aquatic animals. Being surrounded by the animals and the happy environment makes it an amazing experience.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are two important people who I owe a great compliment to for their love and support. The first being my significant other Bradley. He has been by my side since the beginning, through the long days and stressful times. He helps me with anything he can, such as cleaning brushes or carrying my bags to the car on wedding days. He supports every decision I make, and without that I wouldn’t be successful. Thank you for that, Bradley. The second person I would like to mention is one of my best friends. I met Sam after I had booked a photoshoot with her, and we’ve been close ever since. Even when I doubt myself after a super stressful day, she’s always there to support me. She has helped me brainstorm new ideas, and she always has a listening ear when I need one. For that, I am thankful.

Website: https://haleymcelwaneymakeupartist.com/

Instagram: Haley Mcelwaney HMUA

Facebook: Haley Mcelwaney HMUA

Image Credits
Ashlandashawn photography, Hannah Langford Photography, Kristin G. Robertson Photography