Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandi Neuhardt
Hi Mandi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My passion for hairstyling, makeup, and all things beauty developed when I was in high school. You could find me, regularly, spending my lunch money on MAC makeup. Fast forward a couple years, and I decided that I was going to turn my passion into my career by attending cosmetology school. Needless to say, my parents weren’t thrilled with this idea, so we agreed I had to pay for school myself.
I graduated cosmetology school, and passed the Florida State Board Exam in 2007. After school, I thought I was going to move to Orlando and cut and color my way to the top in a hip and trendy salon. However, things worked out a little differently than I had planned, instead I began working for MAC Cosmetics, where I honed in on my makeup artistry skills, which ultimately helped catapult me into the world of bridal hair and makeup.
I began performing hair and makeup services for weddings regularly from 2010-2018. Then I decided, to go back to school at UCF, and obtain an Event Management degree. Afterall, I was a bridal hair and makeup artist working within the events industry. During my time in school, I worked a day job as an executive administrative assistant during the week, and performed hair and makeup for clients on weekends. 60-80 hour work weeks were normal to me during this time.
I kept getting busier and had to hire additional artists to help take on client appointments, especially during the week when I was at my day job! Thus, Beauty Brigade was founded in 2019, with the idea of having an army of hair stylists and makeup artists available to you, the client, for mobile your glam needs!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The path to get where I am today, has been the bumpiest road with a 1,000 twists and turns. I wouldn’t change it for the world. Oftentimes, I find that the least expected twists and turns, take you exactly to where you need to be.
Many people who have a passion-turned into a business, don’t realize that once you become a full time business owner….the “passionate” work you started doing ends up being the LEAST performed part of your job. I am a makeup artist- that spends about 10-20 hours a week doing hair and makeup; and about 40-50 hours doing administrative work; accounting; marketing; content creating; social media managing, etc.
After 6 years as a full time business owner, I am still learning and growing every single day. There is not a day that goes by where I don’t learn something new, and that is what makes my job worth while.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am hair and makeup Bridal Specialist. While I can perform these services for any occasion or event, the scope of my work is generally performed within the bridal industry! Many of my clients are “no makeup, makeup”wearers and generally do not wear a lot of makeup on a daily basis! My clients often choose me for my natural to soft glam makeup applications, timeless hairstyles, and my effective organization and communication process.
I have never been a heavy makeup wearer. Anytime someone else has done my makeup in the past, I always felt overly glammed and not like myself. If I have felt that, I know others have too. I pride myself on listening to and really understanding what my client truly wants. I will ask a million and 1 questions to grasp the full vision and what makes them feel most comfortable. I want every single one of my clients to leave my chair feeling like the best possible version of themselves!
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I think little Mandi and grown up Mandi still have a lot in common! I have always had a creative side, growing up you could find me writing, coloring, drawing, doodling, and reading, while being dressed as a stylish fashionista! I had a highly outgoing personality when I was at home- seriously ask my parents if I ever shut up! However, when out at school or public places I would become the shyest person in the world. I still haven’t decided if I am an introverted extrovert or an extroverted introvert haha!
To this day, you can still find me writing, reading, coloring, drawing, and creating….mostly on faces! At majority of my appointments, if you’re yapping I am yapping back and I will talk and laugh with you until I am blue in the face. But take me out of that salon or bridal suite and it’s back to shy, quiet Mandi.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beautybrigadeLLC.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/beauty.brigade.bb
Image Credits
Mandy B Photography
Josie Brooks Photography
Jennifer Holly Photography
Heather Serrano Photography
Eclectic Elegance Photography
Susan Elizabeth Photography
