I first met Hannah when I was helping with a styled shoot for Jenni Grace Photography. I'll admit it, I loved her right away. Hannah is the type of person that you can't help but feel good around, let's face it, this lady has some amazing energy and you could tell that she really loved what she did. She's one of the best hair and makeup artists in town so you definitely have to check out her work. I paid Hannah a visit at her new studio in the North Side so I could show you all how great she really is with the help of my friend turned model, Mary. So, without further ado, Hanna Conard Beauty.
How did you get into the business?
I have been doing makeup for weddings and special events since I was 15 but it wasn't until two years ago I decided to start my company. I was working in a salon for years and my clients always asked what I love doing the most? My answer was always weddings. I finally had an epiphany: If this is my true passion, I need to make it my sole focus.
What's your favorite part of the job?
The most fulfilling part of what I do is when I hear a client say, "I have never felt this beautiful." No matter how many times I hear it, it never gets old; how a visual transformation gives way to a visceral reaction to the way they look and feel. It makes my heart sing.
What's one beauty item you can't live without?
Probably a color correcting cream with spf, I am pretty fair and I need to keep my skin protected and moisturized!
When you are with a bride you start with a blank canvas, what inspires you for their look?
I'm most inspired by her natural beauty: skin, eye color/shape, hair color/texture/length. Taking time to get to know a person and understand how they want to feel and what they feel insecure about also matters just as much as my inspiration. Everything is taken into consideration.
What do you feel separates you from others in your field?
Mostly 3 things, my esthetic, my approach and my team. My esthetic isn't traditional bridal, I like a little more grit. Beauty that is perfectly imperfect, balanced not even, movement not structure, enhanced not covered. My approach is: How you make people feel matters as much just as much as how make them look. I not only want you to look beautiful when you leave the chair, I want you to feel confident, excited and refreshed! My team is incredible, I'm really excited to be working with such talented and passionate woman. Because we do both hair and makeup and because it's a larger team we are truly able to take on anything. No matter how many services or what time of day, we can handle almost anything.
What are your favorite beauty trends? Which ones could you do without?
I'm not a trendy girl, I believe in things that have or will stand the test of time. I don't want some to look at hair and makeup I have done 30 years from now and not be able to definitively date it. Timeless not trendy.
What are your top 5 favorite songs?
Oh man this an impossible question! I love music so much I don't know even know where to begin. What immediately comes to mind are artist not songs so I'm going to go with that. The Black Keys, Florence and the Machine, Ray Lamontagne, Ottis Redding, Nirvana and The Rolling Stones (I guess thats 6). There is just to much great music out there to narrow it to such a sort list. I'm sure by the time you post this I will regret not putting someone on the list.
What is your absolute favorite spot in Pittsburgh?
The Northside in general, I love it so much! I live here and [so do] some of my best friends, my studio is here. It has an amazing history and an exciting future. Absolute. Favorite.