Elana Darrus Wedding Makeup & Hair

I was left in tears on my wedding day after my hair was far from what I asked and not to the professional standards at all. I had read many good reviews of Elana Darrus company and seeing wonderful photos to show the great work as well which I assumed I would get as well, however I was extremely disappointed when I did not get the same level of work as I had expected.
When I went in for my trial with Dana, I had a half up look with 2 twists back, the end result was messy and had Bobby pins sticking out a lot, I had assumed this was because it was the trial and we had moved the hair quite a bit and she didn’t need to take the time to clean it up as it was the trial. I was wrong as this was the same result on wedding day. I had decided to simplify my half up look that I did at the trial just a little and one twist per side instead of two, but my stylist questioned me for wanting to change and was resistant of going with a small variation. I showed her a photo for reference and was very clear in explaining and showing her what I wanted. My hair was nothing close to what I asked for, when she first showed me in the mirror what the back looked like I was left speechless and honestly horrified because it was nothing what I asked for and looked like a mess. I had to bring my mom and sister over to help see what she was doing with the back of my hair because she wasnt understanding how to clean up the style and to style it the way i asked. She didn’t listen to what I wanted, did the opposite of what I asked and I was in tears sitting in her chair because I knew that my hair was not going to look how I wanted on my wedding day and had little faith that she could make it look like what I even remotely wanted. Eventually I gave up trying to tell her and show her exactly what I wanted and accepted that my hair wasn’t going to be what I wanted, she wasn’t listening to me or processing what I wanted from my inspiration what so ever. After 2 hours of her trying with no avail, I was then running out of time and had to continue getting ready and had to deal with what I had and was honestly devastated. I look back at the photos and am sad and embarrassed about how my hair looked that day.
My bridesmaids and mom also had issues with both Dana and her partner Monika of them not listening to what they wanted and the styles looking much different than the inspiration photos given.
My hair also did not stay secure and pinned up, it fell out completely during the reception and I resorted to putting my hair up in a pony tail myself. I am really disappointed and honestly wish I had done my hair myself, it would have saved me stress and tears on my wedding day and I know I would have actually liked my hair. I am not one to typically write about my negative experiences, but as many are looking for a hairstylist for your wedding day, I want the brides to have the best experience on their wedding day and to be happy, and I in good conscious could never recommend using these stylists on your wedding day based off of the outcome of our hair and experience dealing with them.

Addition- I just got my wedding photos back and am even more distraught because of how my hair looked that day. I can’t even look back at my wedding photos and think that I looked beautiful because I see how bad my hair looked and just reminded of the horrible experience. I am planning on re doing my wedding photos with my husband because I hate how my hair looks in our pictures and want to have at least some “wedding photos” where I look and feel beautiful.

Elana and Pamela did hair and makeup for two of our styled shoots last year. Both of them were on time, professional, and easy to work with. We were very happy with how they executed the styles we had in our mood boards for each shoot. They were a pleasure to work with!

Athina styled my hair for my wedding and did an absolutely phenomenal job. She walked me through the whole process seamlessly, from discussing styles and sharing inspiration pictures beforehand to bringing extra products and options for accessories the day of. She worked with my natural curls/waves, which was important to me. I think most brides get decision fatigue by the time they reach their wedding day, and as a particularly indecisive bride, I felt that Athina made it easy to communicate the style that I wanted without knowing anything about hair or being bogged down with details- she really took care of everything meticulously. I could not have asked for a better hairstyle for the wedding or better company getting ready before it!

I am so happy with the service Elana & team provided for my wedding day. My bridal hair & makeup was perfect and exactly what I had in mind! My bridesmaids looked beautiful & also loved their hair and makeup!! Elana is very easy to work with & highly responsive to email. She and her team are also so kind & attentive. Booking hair & makeup for your wedding day is probably one of the most stressful/important parts of wedding planning - those pictures will last a lifetime! I can confidently say I am so glad I booked Elana & I would recommend her to anyone for any event! :)

Elana is amazing. I was very nervous to get makeup done for my wedding, since I've gotten makeup professionally done in the past and never loved it. Elana listened to all of my concerns and took time to make sure I was happy with my trial. My wedding day makeup turned out even better than my trial. My wedding photos turned out spectacular and I felt absolutely beautiful on my special day.

Samantha and Pamela were absolutely fantastic! They were complete professionals at the trial and the day of the wedding (not to mention super fun). Everything was reasonably priced, high quality, and the communication was incredibly easy. I highly recommend for any and all wedding parties looking for hair and makeup stylists!

Loved working with Elana Darrus! I had Vesna and Rachel for makeup and Dana for hair. They all did an amazing job! There was a mix up with Dana needing to take over for another hair stylist a few months before the big day and they offered a complimentary trial with Dana (whom I loved) which I really appreciated. highly recommend!!

Friendly, fun, professional, and incredible at their jobs. Elana and her team made me, all my bridesmaids, and mothers look beautiful!! They are also so accommodating. They all make you look perfect! I immediately recommended her team to one of my other friends getting married and just after the trial she knows she chose the right people. Her and her team are very versatile. Any makeup or hair style you show them, they can pull it off!! Your wedding day is very stressful but hiring Elana and her team is not going to be something you have to worry about or stress over. They make the hair and makeup process so smooth, easy, fun, and carefree.

Highly recommend working with Elana and her team! Elana was incredibly professional and very responsive to emails. She was on top of all of the required details! At Nina and Kim did an amazing job on hair for all of my girls, and Jessica made everyone’s makeup absolutely stunning! Everything was easy and smooth on the day of, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience!

Highly recommend working with Elana and her team! Elana was incredibly professional and very responsive to emails. She was on top of all of the required details! At Nina and Kim did an amazing job on hair for all of my girls, and Jessica made everyone’s makeup absolutely stunning! Everything was easy and smooth on the day of, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience!