Whats up Beauties! Im Brooke!
Currently living in my 30th year, more like a 22 year old, because age is all about how ya feel (but thats besides the point). I am a seasoned, professional hair and makeup artist, with a passion for making women feel their most beautiful. (Seriously, its my favorite). I decided that the mix of my work, my expertise in weddings, along with my appetite for travel, and this crazy nomadic life, was maybe worth a read!
So heres a little more about me...
I'm 29, from Baltimore, Maryland, (also known as Antarctica). This is more of a second home these days, even though all my favorite people live there. I discovered my passion for beauty at a young age, giving my grandfather rubber band dreads at the tender age of 4.
Coming into middle school, I was a total tom boy, very artistic, and creative. Even though I wasn't super girly, I always did hair and makeup for homecomings, and even the occasional set of twisties, ( I know some of you know what I'm talking about) I never even thought about charging anything for high school proms, because it was my favorite thing to do. (Ya know, the whole making girls feel pretty thing) <3 <3
I now realize that this was a total outlet for me!
After high school, I gave college a good honest try. I Thought I wanted to be a dental hygienist, worked at a dental office, definitely not for me! After trying about 4 different jobs, and racking my brain for a solution of what to do with the rest of my life, I took a step back, and just waited tables for a year. (best decision ever). Hair school was always in the back of my mind, but I knew it was expensive, and I didn't think I could afford it. Finally after having a conversation with my aunt, I realized that no one was holding me back but me. I immediately dove head first into the beauty industry. I made an appointment with a cosmetology school, scheduled a tour, and started that next month!
Through the blood, sweat, and tears of beauty school, Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm, and the late 4 nights a week at a restaurant, I completely transformed into more of the woman I am today! I graduated 15 months later, took my boards, got my license, and started at my first salon! My life was vastly different after a year and a half! Just a few months after starting my salon job, I was able to quit my restaurant job. It was then I knew, hard work pays off!!
A couple salons later, I came to realize that styling was my specialty. When I dipped into freelance bridal styling, I fell completely, madly, in love with wedding days. The good vibes, the champagne, the laughs, the cries... All of it!! When I met Nicole Palermo (owner of Happily Ever After Beauty, and still a heavy creative influence on me professionally) and her group of bad ass boss babes, I was 100% sure I didn't want to work in a salon any more. I found my niche, and I wanted to work for myself, along side this group of power houses! I wanted the flexibility, and I wanted that special opportunity to make someone feel their most beautiful, on the most important day of their life!!
Fast forward to about 7 years later..
All Things Beautiful by Brooke bloomed, and it has been my pleasure to be a part of 500 + wedding days! With just that said, I have so much to share with you guys!! I currently move myself, and my business every 3 months to a new city with the love of my life (who is a travel nurse). We mostly live in vacation towns where destination weddings are plentiful. I stay busy with hair and makeup for weddings in each place we move. Its a hustle, and has its ups and downs, but I love our life!
John and I have been traveling together for almost 5 years now, moved 12 times, and I honestly can't imagine living any other way!
We travel every chance we get, which is my other most favorite thing to do besides weddings :) My other passions include music, yoga, the beach, painting, mashed potatoes, palm trees, jewelry making, dancing, tacos, hiking, snorkeling, pho, champagne, bike rides, happy hour, ramen, beer, Brookie/Johnny days, and maybe the occasional skydive. (the list really does go on)
I have 5 siblings, I'm the oldest, and the favorite ;), I have 2 besties, a gorgeous God Daughter (River McKinnon Roush) and my mother is the strongest person I know (she raised a warrior).
So here I am with a small business on the go, a hunger for adventure, and enough crazy life experiences to keep you on the edge of your seat!! Stay tuned for all things hair makeup, weddings, travel, and life man..
just life.
xo
Brooke