Hiring Nicole and her team was arguably the best decision I made for my wedding weekend. Nicole managed the hair and makeup for three full days of events, not just for me, but also for my nine bridesmaids. The coordination and execution were flawless.
I cannot express how grateful I am that Nicole and her team were willing to fly all the way out to Cabo, Mexico, over a major holiday weekend (Halloween). Knowing they left their own families and young children to ensure my day was perfect truly showed their dedication and commitment to their clients.
Nicole was, quite simply, my fairy godmother. She has an incredible, detail-oriented eye. She made me feel beautiful from head to toe, even providing the extra touches like shimmer and subtle makeup on my neck and legs. Nicole noticed every little detail and provided touch-ups throughout my wedding evening to make sure I still looked perfect.
Nicole had a very calming presence. Her steady, positive energy around before the activities began was extremely helpful. She is professional, kind, and immediately puts you at ease.
I genuinely didn't think it was possible for me to feel so beautiful on such an important day, but Nicole made it happen.
"The best-of-the-best in products and methods."
- Jenna Filardi
Hiring and working with Nicole and her team (Lindsey and Joanna) at Samara Beauty was one of the best decisions I made for our 60-person rehearsal dinner and wedding in Santa Barbara, CA. From the very first emails and trial to the final moments of touch ups, Nicole and her team were A+. I wanted to look and feel like my natural self, just enhanced and polished, and that's exactly what Nicole's team specializes in. My skin felt like skin, my false lashes were weightless, my up-do was secure and pain-free.
As a bride, I highly recommend scheduling a trial. It gave me peace of mind for my wedding day and time to reflect on both looks we trialed before making the decision. Plus, a H&MU artist is someone you spend a lot of your wedding day with, so I wanted this person to be cool and chill! A trial allowed me to get to know Nicole beforehand, understand what products and methods she uses and feel confident in the energy I'd feel on my wedding morning.
Budget-wise, they were very fair for the value they brought to my wedding AND quality of products used (skincare, hot tools, brushes, make up etc.) I loved my trial and day-of looks so much, I went and bought all the products to use at home. These included Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation, Rare Beauty Blush, NARS gloss, Kosas undereye concealer, Dr. Haushka skin prep (the best!!!), false individual lashes and so much more. The best-of-the-best in products and methods.
If you’re getting married in CA, Santa Barbara or beyond and want total peace of mind and confidence as a bride, hire Nicole's team. I couldn't recommend them enough for making my weekend special and worth the investment. Never felt more beautiful. Thank you, Nicole, Lindsey and Joanna!
"Nicole did an amazing job of taking the uncertain ideas I had and turning them into something unique and beautifully attuned to my features."
- nicole ellis
Nicole literally made me feel like a princess on my wedding day!! I am someone who doesn't wear makeup or do much of anything with my hair on a day to day basis, so I went into the trial with a few reference photos but not having a strong idea of what I wanted other than a more natural look. Nicole did an amazing job of taking the uncertain ideas I had and turning them into something unique and beautifully attuned to my features and personality. It turned out unbelievably perfect.
I can't recommend Nicole enough for her calm and easygoing demeanor, patience in offering varying options for looks, and professionalism. I really appreciated how the makeup highlighted my features without making me feel like I had too much on, and how she continued to make small adjustments to my hairstyle until I felt completely happy with it. Seriously cannot recommend her enough. Thank you, Nicole, for helping me feel like the main character on my special day.
"Their talent for creating natural, beautiful makeup looks was unmatched."
- Allie Mae Rosehill
I cannot recommend Nicole and her team enough! They were everything I could have hoped for on my wedding day. Their communication was exceptional and prompt, between booking and day-before details. They arrived on time and blended seamlessly into our morning with amazing energy that made me as a bride feel calm and confident.
What really stood out to me was how effortlessly they understood exactly what we wanted. Their talent for creating natural, beautiful makeup looks was unmatched. Every single person in my bridal party was thrilled with their makeup! If you're looking for a makeup artist who is skilled, dependable, and just “gets it,” Samara Beauty is it.
"You helped make my wedding experience unforgettable."
- Katherine Belchere
Lindsey from Samara Beauty is an absolute gem. She did my hair and makeup for both my rehearsal dinner/welcome party and my wedding day, and I truly cannot express how grateful I am. She is a top-notch professional—so talented, detail-oriented, and kind. Her work is flawless, and she made me feel confident, beautiful, and completely at ease during such an important weekend in my life.
Beyond her incredible artistry, she’s just a wonderful person to have by your side. I cannot recommend Lindsey and Samara Beauty enough. Thank you for everything! You helped make my wedding experience unforgettable.
"All my girls and our moms were obsessed with their makeup but truly no one was more obsessed than I was."
- Savannah Krager
I truly don't think that I could have asked for a better experience on my rehearsal night and wedding day with the Samara Beauty team. I have never felt more beautiful! They made me feel so calm & comfortable. The communication with the team was easy, they were organized and made the experience so fun. All my girls and our moms were obsessed with their makeup but truly no one was more obsessed than I was. You will be SO glad you booked them!!
"My wedding was on a catamaran with intense winds, and I never once had to worry about my hair, because it was so perfectly done."
- Enya Chang
Joanna from Samara Beauty was absolutely wonderful to work with! She made me feel so beautiful and confident on my wedding day. This was the first time I had my makeup done professionally, so I was worried I wouldn't look like myself, but Joanna was so thorough, asking me questions to understand what i'd be comfortable with, and what my preferences were. I ended up looking like a much more enhanced version of myself, which is everything that I wanted.
She also did a fantastic job with my hair - my wedding was on a catamaran with intense winds, and I never once had to worry about my hair, because it was so perfectly done. Even after 2 hours of sailing, it looked beautiful!
The Samara Beauty team as a whole is very communicative, friendly, and fantastic to work with - highly recommend reaching out if you have an event coming up!
"The elevated natural glam style she is known for translated beautifully for South Asian bridal looks."
- Preeti Tata
We worked with Samara Beauty for hair and makeup, and Nicole and her team were exceptional. They were punctual, organized, and incredibly knowledgeable about enhancing each person’s unique facial features. The elevated natural glam style she is known for translated beautifully for South Asian bridal looks. I wanted a bolder look than her typical Instagram clientele to complement heavy Indian jewelry and clothing, and she executed it perfectly — striking without feeling overdone.
Nicole is also extremely talented with hair. I requested a modern Indian braid accented with hair jewelry and jasmine, and she brought it to life flawlessly. The trial was incredibly valuable and required very minimal feedback — it served more for her to refine shade choices, lash style, and placement rather than overhaul anything. Her professionalism and confident execution made the wedding morning feel relaxed and smooth.
Her team member Lindsey deserves a special mention: she executed a full hair and makeup refresh in a tight two-hour window despite weather-related delays, and she was so kind in helping the bride’s sister with touch-ups and tips for transitioning her look into the evening.
Pricing was competitive for the Santa Barbara market, and having a local team avoided travel fees and logistical complications. Overall, Nicole’s talent, professionalism, and adaptability made her a standout vendor, and I highly recommend Samara Beauty.
"I’ve never felt more beautiful or more like myself - the perfect combo for your wedding day in my opinion!"
- Alyssa Anderson
The best decision I made was booking Samara Beauty for my hair and makeup. I truly don’t have the words to thank Nicole and her amazing team enough for making our wedding day so incredibly beautiful. The hair and makeup on my sisters/SIL and mother/MIL were absolutely flawless, and you each brought such a calming, kind, and joyful energy to the morning. It made all the difference!
I already knew how caring and talented Nicole was from the trial a month prior, but on the big day, she completely blew me away. I’ve never felt more beautiful or more like myself - the perfect combo for your wedding day in my opinion! You made me feel so radiant and confident in your chair. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a special part of our day. I’ll never forget it!
