Grace McHugh

Grace is fantastic. Just fantastic.
She did my hair and make-​up for my wedding on Saturday, and she far exceeded my expectations. She has over 30 years experience doing bride and bridal party hair and make-​up, working closely with a photographer, and it shows. At the trial, not only did she listen carefully to what I wanted, and gave me an even better version of it than I knew to ask for, but she also understands what photographs well. This is why we pay professionals, to know MORE than we do and help us get the look we want by letting us leverage their knowledge and experience! She is PROFESSIONAL!
I thought I wanted airbrush, but Grace explained why it is that she isn’t a fan, and I loved what she did! Didn’t miss the airbrush a bit! And my hair!!! It was EXACTLY what I was looking for. Both hair and makeup held up through pre-​wedding photos around Lake Merritt (and WIND!) and then the wedding and reception and a wildly dancing bride. I didn’t have to replace even one strand of hair or reapply lipstick. Everyone raved about how stunning I looked, and while a bride always has to take such complements with a grain of salt, I don’t think I ever looked better. (I don’t think I’ll ever look better in the future, either… With apologies to my new husband, that was probably the peak, sweetheart.)
Grace’s rates are comparable to others in the area, and she is extremely professional, competent, and based on my experience, reliable – she was even early to my maid-of-honor’s place, where we did the «prepare the bride» stuff. What’s more is that she has an extremely calming presence, at least to me. Much needed, too, as things always go differently than the original plan on wedding days. (In our case, my car auto-​locked with the keys inside when one of the groomsmen borrowed it… the shoes and strapless bra for my wedding dress went missing for a while… both bride and groom were sick as dogs and gave new meaning to the «in sickness and in health» portion of our vows… etc., etc.)
Grace did my Mom’s hair and make-​up as well, and Mom was very pleased. Mom even went away with tips to use for everyday makeup application as well as for eyebrow care. Plus my hair combed out the next day into a beautiful wave. I got lots of complements on her up-​do turned down-​do at the day-​after BBQ. I must admit that I regret not having her do all the women in the wedding party.
Finally, I have to say that Grace’s results on this bride were even more impressive because the flower for my hair somehow disappeared on my wedding day and I was madly sewing another flower from scratch WHILE SHE WORKED. (She said I was the busiest bride she’s ever seen.) I’m not entirely sure how she managed when I wasn’t exactly sitting still, but she did. I certainly didn’t make it easy for her.
Thank you – thank you – thank you – Grace! You are a beautiful person, inside and out, and a FANTASTIC make-​up artist and hair designer. I wish you many days as beautiful as you helped make mine.
Highly highly highly recommended!