“I guess the main way to help creatives is to interact with them, recommend and just support each other as much as we can.” Daniella of Daniella Makeup & Hair on how we can support businesses in the wedding industry right now
She’s got some of the best, luxury brands on-hand in her beauty kit…and the skills to go with it. Daniella of Daniella Makeup & Hair is the woman you’ll want to have on-hand and within a 1 metre radius pre-wedding at all times, to the point where you’ll want her 24/7 post-wedding too (although she does offer an occasion hair and makeup service too, sadly, I don’t think 24/7 is currently an option). As a perfectionist by nature with an innate ability to wing it in style if something unplanned happens – i.e. the curling tongs explode, God forbid, or your electricity goes down (this happened at my wedding) – basically Daniella is a must when it comes to both pre-wedding day hair and makeup prep and occasion looks. With multiple years of experience under her designer belt, trust me when I say you’ll want to check out her portfolio STAT…
I caught up with Daniella (digitally, of course) to get the lowdown on her lockdown 3.0…
#1 We’ve just gone into Lockdown 3. In three words, describe how you are currently feeling…
“In all honestly, ‘I’m feeling ok’. When they first told us schools would be closing again, my heart and my anxiety hit the roof. I have two little boys and just feel so hopeless for them, plus home schooling is something I hoped to never have to face again!
As far as weddings were concerned, I feel my brides had pre-empted it happening so quite a few had already pushed their early 2021 dates back. It can feel very disheartening with all the changes and uncertainty but there has definitely been some positives that have come from this last year so I remain hopeful.”
#2 Talk to us about your usual daily routine for your business and how this will change in lockdown…
“I’ve tried to keep it as normal as possible, I think structure really helps me. I check my emails over coffee early in the morning, post on my Instagram and reply to as many messages as I can. I need that hour to consolidate, if I have lots of things incomplete…I’m a mess for the rest of the day. Once those are done, I’m onto home schooling and mum duties. I always check emails through the day cause I feel its really important to be respondent to brides. Theres nothing worse than having to wait a week for a reply, especially when you’re trying to plan a wedding during a pandemic.”
#3 How will/does lockdown impact your business, and how can people (brides/the wedding industry) support you throughout?
“Unfortunately I took the leap of full time at the end of 2019 so haven’t been entitled to any government support. I know this has been the case for so many of us. It’s just so hard! I have managed to create a good social media presence though which has been invaluable. I became an affiliate for Look Fantastic which allowed me to earn a little from the videos I was already uploading to my Instagram. That has helped so much and my brides and followers have been so supportive. I guess the main way to help creatives is to interact with them, recommend and just support each other as much as we can.”
#4 Name three small businesses on Instagram you are supporting or would like to support more…
“Oh lord, this is hard! I am ALL about the small business and there are literally hundreds I could list right here.
No.1 “@thecollectivemuha – this is actually my little venture! I teamed up with Heather Cocker to create a team of hair and makeup artists across the UK. We started this in October with the aim of trying to help creatives who are struggling and also brides who are postponing and are being left without suppliers. The response has been incredible so I’m hoping to push the team forward this year.”
No.2 “@bonbon_bride – I have such a good feeling about this company. They are three working mums with bundles of experience in hair and makeup artistry and have created the most beautiful brand. They create, sell and hire bridal hair accessories and I just think their whole concept is wonderful. They’re definitely a company that brides-to-be should check out.”
No.3 “@storiesof_events – what can I say about this mother and daughter duo… They’re wedding stylists firstly but my goodness do I wish I knew them when I was getting married. I truly feel they’re the loveliest, warmest people and just get everything it takes to create the most incredible mood and vision, making your day so special. They make the whole experience of planning a wedding fun which is what it should be.”
#5 Favourite lockdown snack?
“I am a terrible snacker! My boys never stop eating so I find it really difficult to resist. I’d say I’m finding myself reaching for healthier options this time round…January always gives me a kick up the bum. Last lockdown I was snacking on crisps and dips at a rapid speed too, something therapeutic about a good crunch! That definitely needed to stop.”
#6 What’s your most recommended lockdown pick-me-up when you’re feeling down during lockdown?
“This is a really big deal for me. It can be so relentless and intense, finding something that makes you take a breath is vital. For me, when the husband comes home from work I like to go into my makeup room, close the door, put a podcast on and apply some makeup. Sometimes I will video, sometimes I’ll just have a play. I come out of there feeling like a new woman! Podcasts have been a really game changer for me, I only discovered them during the first lockdown but I’m definitely a convert. Also fresh air, make sure you get outdoors every day.”
#7 What’s the item you can now NEVER find in the supermarket (and consequently dreamt continuously about) during lockdown?
“It’s really annoying me that I can’t find much Zoflora at the minute. Silly thing I know but I love how it makes my house smell and makes cleaning so much easier which is a win win right now.”
#8 Name a dinner/meal or beverage choice you feel might bring someone joy to their lockdown life…
“A good roast dinner. It has to be! There are few things more comforting than cooking and enjoying a roast dinner…with no time restraints. Spend all day slow cooking it if you like. Normally my weekends are so rushed and busy, the idea of trying to cram in a roast feels like a chore.”
#9 Talk us through what’s new at your brand…
“I’m just trying to solidify my reputation in the industry really, my brand, my style and my presence for sure. I am also creating a fun blog for The Collective which is putting suppliers in the spotlight and allowing couples to get to know suppliers. Which is why I was delighted to be part of this!”
#10 What’s your lockdown outfit most days? Have you, say, developed an unhealthy attachment to the elasticated waists of your leggings like myself?
“Absolutely! I’m finding myself wearing the same four outfits on a cycle…comfort over everything. I get really excited when I have a reason to put something nice on, say for filming a video or a Zoom call, but literally as soon as its done I’m back in my loungewear.”
#11 What series have you now completed on Netflix/Amazon Prime etc.? Any recommendations?
“I don’t watch much TV if I’m honest, I don’t manage to sit down for very long. If I do enjoy a series, I tend to binge watch and get little else done. Sometimes that’s what we need though and that’s ok. I have loved Good Girls on Netflix, it’s amazing and I definitely recommend that! I also love to revisit some oldies too like Ghost Whisperer and House.”
#12 The person(s) you will hug first when social distancing is no longer in place?
“I just want to hug all my friends and for different reasons, some I haven’t seen for just so long, some have had babies, some have suffered losses, some have just had awful times and I really miss them all.”
#13 An act of kindness towards you that you’ve really appreciated during lockdown?
“I’d actually say the little acts of checking in or sending a card have been the things I’ve most appreciated. A kind word or an empathetic text have definitely lifted my mood on hard days.”
#14 For a little Instagram-escapism and positivity, what account would you recommend?
“Without a doubt @rosegallagher. I feel like I know her, she just has this aura and this down to earth personality. You can’t help but feel positive when she posts her videos. She also has a podcast which I just love so I’ve really enjoyed that.”
#15 Name three things the lockdown has made you grateful for:
No.1 “My work ethic! It has kept me going even on the hardest days… thanks to my mum for that.”
No.2 “My little family unit…my amazing husband and our two boys.”
No.3 “My friendships. It has definitely made me grateful for the close relationships I have with my friends. I don’t go a day without messages and I’d be lost without them. You definitely get out what you put into friendships and I’m fortunate enough to have found my village….cos’ it definitely takes a village when you all have kids!”
#16 Which restaurant will you dine at first once restrictions are lifted again?
“Probably our local Italian, nothing fancy. Just not having to cook will be nice.”
#17 What would be your five film recommendations to watch during lockdown…
“I love to watch feel good films and classics. First Wives Club, The Greatest Showman, Mermaids and Pretty Woman. Totally random but they’re just some films I always go back to. There are so many brilliant films I just need easy watching ones right now.”
#18 What book would be top of your lockdown book list?
“I am really interested in reading more positivity and self help books. I have found some really inspiring and mood lifting podcasts and I’d love to read some of the books they recommend. I don’t easily relax and would love to work on that for sure.”
#19 Name an odd purchase you’ve made during lockdown…
“Oh I don’t really have one, I’m quite good when it comes to not indulging. I’d probably say new school shoes for my eldest, he’ll likely be grown out of them before he actually wears them.”
#20 The best gift you received this festive period?
“My sister bought us an Alexa Echo for Christmas which has a screen so it shows all the lyrics to songs, recipes, random facts… everything! I love it.”
#21 Name a brand you would love to collaborate with…
“I would love to work with Emma Beaumont again, her dresses are just everything to me. She’s also an absolute dream of a woman so working with her is just a joy.”
#22 What’s your advice to lockdown brides?
“To not put pressure on yourself, whether it’s to have the day you initially planned or to postpone. It’s ok to change your path, change your plans. All of my weddings during Covid have been incredible. They’re are so special and beautiful and won’t be any less memorable if you don’t have 150 guests…I promise you. Just consider the possibility of a romantic elopement and how amazing the party will be when this is all over.”
#23 Your favourite beverage?
“Prosecco, that’s just my favourite and I always feel a bit more like my old self when I pop that cork. Champagne when celebrating, of course.”
#24 Name your favourite magazine to curl up with.
“I love OK! Magazine, I like to read nonsense if I’m honest and delve into other peoples lives. I don’t often buy magazines but I’m sometimes drawn, especially if there’s a wedding gracing the cover.”
Discover more about Daniella Makeup & Hair and the services she offers by heading directly to her website.
Want to read more WFH Diary entries from your favourite bridal brands, boutiques and designers? Head on over to the Bridal Editor WFH Diary page.
