Elite Bridal Beauty consists of a team of hair and makeup professionals that bring a bride’s vision to life on their special day. From New York City to the Hamptons, plus destinations around the world, this premiere beauty service celebrates brides and draws out their unique aesthetic.
With more than a decade of experience, CEO Cherise Loren has grown Elite Bridal Beauty to where it is today through her industry expertise, skills as a business leader, and her talent as a makeup artist—alongside her ability to foster new talent. Cherise is recognized as a leader in the industry, and through her mentorship program she aims to teach her successful ways to a new generation of hair and makeup artists.
Cherise spoke about what sets Elite Bridal Beauty apart from other businesses, what the biggest factors in her success have been, and how the Hamptons have contributed to her inspiration and the connections she has made.
What is Elite Bridal Beauty all about?
CL: Elite Bridal Beauty provides on-location bridal beauty services in the luxury wedding market. We provide brides with timeless, touchable hair and soft, radiant makeup, as well as natural-looking spray tans. We’re mobile, so we bring beauty to you! Because most of our team has a background in editorial work, we are able to give our clients a natural, but enhanced version of themselves, nothing too overdone. We pride ourselves in ensuring brides look and feel like themselves all while providing a fun and calming experience.
Aside from bridal services, Elite Beauty Artists is the sister company of Elite Bridal Beauty, which covers all commercial and production work, to personal house call glam. The agency books celebrity clientele, real estate moguls, and woman entrepreneurs from NYC to the Hamptons.
How did you get your start in this industry? Can you talk a bit about your background?
CL: I worked and lived in Manhattan since 2007, and graduated with a BFA from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2012. My fashion and beauty career kicked off in 2009 and when I say I’ve done it all, I have done it all! From being an assistant to a celebrity fashion stylist to working with the print designer at Donna Kara. After my fun and cutthroat fashion jobs, I stopped chasing down $25,000 bras for Lady Gaga and worked some MF 9-5 gaining my skills in the business world. My customer operations positions allowed me to gain the customer service experience and people skills that help me now in my businesses.
When I moved out of the city to the Hamptons, it was time for me to really pursue my dream of being a full-time makeup artist. At this point in my life, I was already doing makeup for 8 years (in 2016). Fast forward to quickly building a following, my personal beauty brand grew, and I knew it was time for me to build a team and the company I’ve always dreamed of—ELITE BEAUTY.
What has been your greatest accomplishment in this industry to-date?
CL: My greatest accomplishment was growing my beauty business to multiple six figures in just two years, with a dream team behind me. After hitting half a million consecutively it showed me that I’ve built a sustainable business. And to me, that’s so so important!
Can you talk about your mentorship program?
CL: Absolutely! When I’m not on set or glamming a bride in the Hamptons, I’m a business mentor to makeup artists and creative entrepreneurs around the world. I nerd out on business and it lights me up! For those considering mentorship, consider me a silent partner in your business, whether you need to level up your client experience, attract and book ideal clients, organize and streamline systems and processes, get your branding and marketing strategy together, or simply start running your business like a CEO, and not a side hustle, that’s where I come in. Everything is virtual and customized to the client I’m working with. I’ve helped Estheticians, hairstylists, and makeup artists bring in more clients, increase their profit, gain CEO confidence, and have a clear vision for the future of their business!
Did you have any mentors yourself when you were starting out?
CL: When I first started out, I was deep in the fashion world of you figure it out on your own, and stay in your lane. Of course, I had people I learned from and those I looked up to, but most of it was trial and error, and a ton of lessons. As my own company formed and grew, I started to hire mentors, and continue to do so! THE BEST DECISION EVER. Mentorship for myself has been one of the best investments as it pushes you to new levels you sometimes won’t take yourself.
How would you describe your style as an artist? And how did you cultivate this style over the years?
CL: I have a very modern, fresh approach to beauty. I like to work with my client and enhance their best features, not cover them up or transform them into somebody else. Over the years, I’ve learned less is more, and continue to focus on perfecting skin without anything looking or feeling too heavy.
Do you have a favorite look to create?
CL: A favorite look of mine would be described as fresh, clean, dewy. Radiant, glowing skin. Soft eyes and light wispy lashes. I love to work with soft browns and pretty pinks. I’m a huge fan of rosy, flushed cheeks. You’ll often find me using cream products + keeping those beautiful freckles showing through.
What is the best advice you could give brides when it comes to hair and makeup for their wedding day? And any best hair and makeup tips in general?
CL: The most important thing you could do as a bride is to start focusing on the care of your skin! In order for makeup to lay properly without looking too heavy or textured is to make sure you are taking care of your skin, at least 6+ months prior to your wedding! When you work with Elite, we’re here to help with any skin and hair prep questions and provide custom recommendations for each bride.
Aside from the prep, when you’re choosing the look for your wedding, we always lean toward doing what makes you feel your best. What is going to make you feel the most confident? Don’t follow trends or what someone else suggests! Always go with what makes you feel the most confident as this will portray in all your photos. We always look our best when we FEEL our best. Our team does an amazing job at making sure you are choosing the right look where you feel your absolute best.
On our blog we feature more about wedding day hair and makeup tips!
Do you have to adapt and use different approaches depending on the bride, location, time of year, and so on? What are your techniques?
CL: Our bridal looks are not cookie cutter. We always take into consideration the unique bride we have, and how she wants to feel, and what she values in a bridal look. Of course, the location, time of year, and overall aesthetic of the wedding help tie the entire look together. While we still stick to our natural approach to beauty, we adjust based on certain factors. For example, a soft down style with waves may be prepped and set differently for our summer Montauk Gurney’s beach bride than our winter Brooklyn Liberty Warehouse bride. For makeup, we may adjust products based on the weather, or even the style of photography! There’s so much consideration when it comes to prepping and finalizing a look, to make sure you look your best in photos AND in person. One thing that remains consistent is that we want our brides to see the natural beauty we already see in them.
What’s unique and sets your brand apart that can’t be replicated by any other artists?
CL: I would say it’s the ability to read the room, bring the necessary energy whether it’s calming or energetic and fun, and really show up for our clients. We know how stressful it can be for our brides leading up to the wedding and we truly want to take as much stress off their plates as possible. We genuinely want to be there for them in any way we could all while leading with integrity. You’ll find sometimes that’s hard to find in the industry. When hiring, I always make sure that my admin team and my team of artists match that positive vibe and share the same values of how we lead the company!
What’s your favorite pastime in the Hamptons?
CL: I love going out to eat and visiting some shops! My faves are Onda Beauty + Goop for clean, luxury skincare. Or strolling through East Hampton to visit the bookstore or a few clothing spots. When it’s time to grab a bite, I’m a creature of habit and frequent at Elaia in Bridgehampton. It’s actually a go-to after a long day of Hamptons clients. If I’m just feeling a sunset and glass of wine vibe, it’s Wolffer for sure!
What do you love most about your clients on the East End?
CL: I love the connections I make with my clients on the East End. I’ve worked with some amazing and inspiring women who are continuously referring me out to their friends. Everyone knows everyone and that’s what makes it fun!
Do you find inspiration in the Hamptons or any other favorite locations?
CL: Absolutely! I’m very much so an aesthetics person, so I love seeing all the beautiful homes and gardens in the Hamptons. I travel to my clients’ homes so I’m constantly immersed in beautiful designs, décor, and of course I love when they share their beauty indulgences with me!
For more information about Elite Bridal Beauty, visit https://www.elitebeautyny.com.
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