Meet Ashley Easton | Traveling Bridal Hair and Makeup Artist

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

Hi Ashley, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The idea to start my own business began when I moved to a small agricultural community with a good amount of summer tourism. I had quit my cushy, commissioned hair stylist career of 8 years at the amazing ‘Swank Salon’ to physically help my significant person build our home. You know when a flip switches, and you just can not do what you were doing before even though it was great?! I toyed around with the idea of starting a local restaurant for income. I debated getting a job at a vet office. I even considered bartending! My better half would always say, “why don’t you get into wedding hair?” 🧐 Stubbornness, that was why. I knew there were a handful of wedding venues within an hour of my town and I couldn’t find anyone local who was specializing in bridal hair and makeup. I thought, if I keep ignoring this opportunity I am dense. I spent a year working with ‘I Do Beauty Boutique’ in Denver, learning and growing with one of the local bridal beauty pioneers of the Metro area, Miranda Vinyard. With the support and training of this boss babe, I began the venture of ‘A Vow To Artistry- Traveling Hair and Makeup Artist’. I felt sufficient in my styling skills, but I wanted to be amazing. I watched every tutorial I could find and I would practice for hours every single day. It truly became an obsession and I was doing things I swore I’d never be able to do with hair! Eventually all the scrolling led me to what has now been termed, adventure elopements. I had a real come apart with the beauty industry and honestly wondered if I could become a photographer. I loved my brides and their big wedding parties but an intimate ceremony on top of a mountain really resonated with me. Business was going well though, and I knew that wasn’t the right option. One day, as I was swiping through my feed I had the idea! “If I were to get married, I’d for sure do an adventure elopement but if I’m spending thousands of dollars on photography I’m not going to want to look how I look when I hike! I sweat, a lot. Sometimes it rains on you! I know I’m gonna wipe that lipstick off at some point.” This was it!!! It took almost a full year to really wrap my brain around what it would mean to follow a bride into the wilderness and ensure she was flawless the entire time. I coordinated a styled shoot to showcase the ‘Adventure Stylist’ and hiked in makeup to come up with an almost entirely water-proof airbrush makeup formula. I offered the service to all my eloping brides and eventually someone saw the value! I was even more sure of my decision and on top of the world! Then COVID happened, quarantine hit and I had brides, not one or a couple but many brides, who were cancelling their wedding and eloping. I truly believe adversity forces one to elevate themselves higher, or suffer the consequences. I knew if I wanted to stay in business, I needed to re-evaluate. As far as I have searched, I can not find another stylist who does hair and makeup, and will hike any where with a bride! This meant I needed to level up and learn how to advertise. No one can hire you for your service if they have no idea it is available! With each step further this wonderful business of mine has taken me, I appreciate the struggle. I value the frustration of learning something new, and the satisfaction of accomplishing that tricky task!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
A Vow To Artistry is an on-location hair and makeup service, specializing in bridal work. In addition to traditional wedding beauty services, A Vow To Artistry offers the first ever adventurous personal hair and makeup service!! Imagine having your hair style completed on top of a mountain, just as the sun is rising. Think a full look change as sunset hits and your look goes from natural to glam. The possibilities only end where your imagination does! Find a way to share your talents with others! Promote yourself and what you love with fierce passion and commitment and it will find a way to reward you!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Swank Salon & I Do Beauty Boutique Owner- Miranda Vinyard Thank you for your years or mentorship! My knowledge in the beauty industry is highly thanks to you! You’ve inspired me for 10+ years and I’ll always appreciate you!

Website: https://avowtoartistry.com/

Instagram: @avowtoartistry

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/avowtoartistry/

Image Credits
Hazel and Lace Photography Paige Weber Photography Together We Roam Jaclyn Rose Photography