Meet a Wedding Vendor: Carla Pressley

Next in our “Meet a Wedding Vendor” series, we’re talking with hair and makeup artist, Carla Pressley. Let’s meet Carla.  

Carla Pressley is a DC based hairstylist and makeup artist. A mixed chick born the year of the dog with a cancer sign. Loves dogs! Laughs exactly her two brothers, tries eating vegan most of the time, practices yoga, and tears up every time the father of the bride sees the bride for the first time.  She grew up in small towns and military bases and is a proud army brat! Her career started in the beauty industry over 15 years ago with PR @ Partners, a Washington D.C area franchise salon and makeup brand, MAC Cosmetics.  Past Clients include Project Runway, Macy’s, Tarte, Marc Jacobs, RuPaul, and Martha Stewart Weddings and more. Highly reviewed for creating a calming environment with passion for working with all walks of life, skin tones, and hair textures. Other passions include Black Lives Matter, LGBTQIA rights, the environment and all earth’s creatures, self care, and love. 

Tell us about what you do

I’m a freelance hairstylist and makeup artist and I travel to destinations delivering my hair and makeup services. I’m passionate about people and their stories. Being in the wedding industry allows me to fulfill that passion each and every week when I’m talking to a Bride or a Mom – and when I’m celebrating with them on the weekends.  

How did you get into this business?

I started off in cosmetology school, got a license and then went to further my education with a company that mentored me. I found a specific mentor that I worked under for several years and that’s how I got a lot of the work that I did in New York City. After working in a salon and doing makeup for MAC Cosmetics and running back and forth from DC to New York working in the fashion industry, I decided that what I was truly passionate about was being with couples, doing weddings, and being a wedding vendor. Here I am, 15 years later and it’s truly become my passion. 

What do you love about what you do? 

When I first started, it was having a group of women always around – that was something that felt so great. I grew up with brothers and in the military world and I moved around a lot, so I was always making new friends. To be in an environment with lots of different women and becoming a team was what I loved in the beginning. 

Then, as I started working as a professional behind the chair, I realized that me with my curly hair was attracting other curly haired folks. Sitting down with them and sharing our stories about what it felt like to be in the DC area as a professional woman trying to look professional and never feeling professional looking enough because our hair was kind of wild or untamed or nappy, that was something that I felt very passionately about when I was behind the chair. 

Now that I’m doing my wedding business, there are so many things to be passionate about: the photos that become a part of someone’s legacy that I’m a part of; having that really special moment with someone before they walk down the aisle and they’re terrified, crying with Mothers of the Bride because they lost 20 lbs and finally feel great in their skin and their hair and makeup just tops it all off. There so many things but it comes down to the connection I'm able to make with the different people I come into contact with. 

Hair & Makeup by: Carla Pressley | Photo by: Bobby Bandz Productions

What should someone consider when looking for a stylist?

The most important thing is checking reviews like they would with any other vendor. There are a lot of hair and makeup artists out there. There are folks who are trying it for the first time, just like I did 15 years ago, when I didn’t understand how to make a schedule for the day of, how I’m the first vendor and if I’m late then everything is late, that if someone isn’t finished on time they may not be part of photos that cost the couple a lot of money. There are a lot of different things that come into play for hair and makeup, but once you have that all established, you really need to meet the makeup artist and see if you vibe with them. Just like you’ve chosen your bridesmaids or sisters, you’ve really chosen who you want to be there for you on your wedding morning. 

Take us through your process of working with a client

I always ask them to show me some images they’ve been looking at. It’s such a visual thing. When you try to articulate a hair style it just doesn’t really work. I analyze their inspiration pictures and find what they all have in common. I ask them to describe their wedding, describe their look in 3 words and what’s really important to them.  

And then I dive into what they do – if you’re just a blush and lip gloss girl then you might not want the lashes and the contouring. I really try to figure out what they’re used to, start with something like that and then add a pinch of glam to it. Then I inch my way with a little bit more glamour if that’s what they’re looking for. Even if we’re not makeup girls, in the end, we’ve got this dress, it’s this whole big day and we do want that sprinkle of glamour. Taking them and easing them into that and then stopping when I understand that we are at the point where she feels really great and we don’t need to go beyond that.  

What’s a memorable experience you’ve had in your career?

Project Runway was a huge turning point in my career. It was a great experience. Seeing how fast everything could move helped me become a faster and more diverse hair stylist and makeup artist. 

What moments are the most rewarding for you?

 When you’re working with someone who may not have felt so confident, and then you see that change right in front of your eyes, there is nothing like that feeling at all. I try to empower women to feel amazing naturally. When there has been that moment of acceptance and happiness and you can see that little sparkle in someone’s eye, that is the moment that I’m addicted to, that I’m obsessed with, that I love and why I’ll probably always be in this industry doing what I do. 

Looking get in touch with Carla? You can find her here: 

Instagram: @carlapressleyhairmakeup

Website: carlapressley.com