Flora Mae At The Gables

"Can't you just straighten it?"
It's something so many naturally curly girls have heard for years.
This lovely lady and I had lots of chats while I was doing her hair about learning to embrace her curls again after years of straightening them. Even for special occasions, she's said the default has always been to straighten them first, even by stylists .. and it made me a little sad. 🙈
Curly hair isn't difficult. It's just different. It needs different care, different products and a bit of patience while you get to know it.
Imagine spending years trying to make your hair be something it's not, when those curls are part of what makes you, you.
For her Bridesmaid hair, we wanted to work with her natural texture instead of against it. Soft, romantic and still completely her.
If you've been fighting your curls for years, maybe this is your sign to give them another chance. They might just surprise you. 💛
I'd love to know... are you Team Curls or Team Straighteners? 💬

Some brides dream about the dress, the flowers and the latest wedding trends.
Others dream about marrying their favourite person.
This beautiful bride was definitely the second.
She'd much rather be up a mountain in her wellies or out on her bike than sat in a makeup chair, so it was really important that she still felt like her when she looked in the mirror.
Soft skin. Gentle definition. Nothing overdone. Just the most natural, timeless version of herself.
But what stayed with me most today wasn't the makeup.
It was the meaning behind every little detail of their wedding. Nothing was chosen because Instagram said it should be there. Every flower, every moment and every decision reflected them. It wasn't about keeping up with trends. It was about love, family and creating a day that felt completely authentic.
Those are always my favourite weddings to be part of.
Congratulations to the loveliest couple. Thank you for trusting me with such a special part of your day. 🤍
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One face. Two versions.
No filters. No AI. No heavy editing.
Just carefully chosen products, good skin prep and makeup that's applied to suit her face, not a trend.
Great makeup isn't about covering everything up.
It's about knowing where to add light, where to add definition and where to leave well alone.
Every face is different, and that's exactly how it should be.

This... right here... is my favourite part of the whole appointment ❤️
It's not the foundation.
It's not the lashes.
It's not even seeing the finished look.
It's that smile when she finally looks in the mirror.
Watching someone go from feeling a little unsure to standing a little taller, smiling a little bigger and seeing themselves in a whole new light never gets old.
Makeup isn't about changing who you are. It's about enhancing what's already there and helping you feel like the very best version of yourself.
And for me, that's what it's always been about.
Thank you for trusting me with such special moments. Seeing that smile at the reveal is why I love what I do. 🤍
Before we started, she told me she still wanted to look like herself. She wanted fresh, glowing skin, but she also wanted to see her freckles shining through. And I absolutely loved that.

Can we normalise letting kids be kids? 🤍
Before I picked up a makeup brush, we chatted about skincare.
As a mum to three girls, one who's now an adult and two who are still growing up, I completely understand the influence social media can have. It's so easy for young girls to think they need a 10 step skincare routine full of the latest trending products.
The truth is, at 13, they don't need acids, retinols or lots of active ingredients.
What they do need is the basics.
✨ A gentle cleanser. ✨ A simple moisturiser. ✨ SPF every single day.
Healthy skin isn't about using more. It's about using the right products for their age.
When it came to her makeup, we kept that same approach. Fresh, soft and age appropriate. Just enough to enhance her natural beauty without trying to make her look older than she is.
As both a makeup artist and a mum, that's something I'll always stand by.
Sometimes less really is more. ❤️
Drumtochty Castle

No motivational quote today.
Just beautiful hair. Soft glam makeup. A gorgeous wedding guest.
Sometimes the photos speak for themselves.

You're a magician."
I smiled... because the truth is, there's no magic involved.
Just years of experience, listening to my clients, paying attention to the little details and creating a look that's completely tailored to them.
When someone looks in the mirror and their whole face lights up, that's the moment I work for every single time.
What an absolute pleasure it was to get this lovely lady wedding ready. Wishing you the most amazing day filled with love, laughter and memories to treasure. 🤍✨
Swipe for the before 👉🏼

Not everyone who sits in my chair wears makeup every day... and I love that. 🤍
Today's client told me she only really wears makeup for dance competitions, so being trusted to create her look for a wedding felt really special.
We kept everything soft, natural and lightweight. Just enough to enhance her beautiful features without feeling overdone. Paired with a relaxed up do and soft face framing curls, the finished look was elegant, timeless and most importantly, still felt like her.
I think that's one of the biggest misconceptions about professional makeup. It doesn't have to be full glam. Sometimes the most beautiful looks are the ones that simply give you a little extra confidence while still feeling completely yourself.
Thank you for trusting me with such a special occasion. I hope you had the most wonderful day celebrating. 🤍✨

There's something so lovely about getting someone ready for a special occasion. 🤍
Today's client was off to a wedding, and we chose this soft, elegant up do that feels timeless but still relaxed. I absolutely love creating styles that not only look beautiful but stay in place from the first photo to the last dance.
One of my favourite parts of my job is seeing that little smile when they catch their reflection and know they feel their best. That's what it's all about.
I hope you had the most amazing day celebrating. Thank you for trusting me to be a small part of it. ✨
If you've got a wedding, party or special event coming up and you're looking for hair styling, my diary is open. Pop me a message to book your date before it's gone. 🤍

One of my favourite moments this Monday.... 🤍
One of my lovely clients always chooses a plain n**e set. It's her comfort zone, and she's never really been one to go for anything different.
This time, I gently encouraged her to trust me. I had an idea that I just knew she'd love, even though it was a little outside what she'd normally choose.
The result? She spent the appointment holding her hands up, smiling and saying, "I can't stop looking at them!" 🥹✨
Those moments are honestly the best.
As nail techs, we get to know our clients so well. We learn their personalities, their style, what makes them feel confident... and sometimes we can see them loving something before they can.
That's why, every now and then, it's worth trusting your nail tech. We would never suggest something we didn't think would suit you, we just want to help you see yourself in a different way.
The best part? Before she'd even left, she was already talking about different ideas for her next set. 💕
Sometimes the prettiest things happen when you step just a little outside your comfort zone. 💅✨
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