Elana Darrus Makeup & Hair

Elana and her team were amazing at my September wedding! They were prompt, professional and made my mom, MIL, bridesmaids and me look amazing. I am not a big makeup person, but Elana did an amazing job of glamming me up but keeping it natural. Definitely get the lashes for one of the options, they look great. I received more compliments about my appearance than I expected and it was so humbling... I felt beautiful!! The application stayed on for almost the entire night... the end I looked a little ragged, but hey, I was dancing a ton! Elana did such a great job at my makeup trial, that I booked her to do my makeup for a friend's wedding too! Two big thumbs up for Elana and her team.

Elana and one of her other make-up artists, Megan, did the make-up for 9 people on our wedding day. Everyone loved their make-up and looked amazing. Elana does amazing work and no one looks like they have make-up caked on their face.
I had Elana do my make-up for my engagement and wedding and it looked amazing. I felt like a celebrity! I highly recommend using Elana for your wedding make-up or any special event.

Based on the wonderful reviews and after looking through her website, I contacted Elana for more information via email. She was very responsive and accommodating as we worked to schedule a trial at her house. I went to the trial and had my makeup done by Elana and my hair done by Jarmin. They both asked lots of questions to make sure that they were capturing my style. As I typically don’t wear a lot of makeup, I was especially pleased with how Elana was able to apply makeup the appropriate amount of makeup for a bride and still make me look very natural. Jarmin was able to create very interesting and intricate design with my hair in a beautiful updo with hair pinned back in interesting patterns. After looking through more pictures online I realized I had maybe wanted to try a different style I had never done before – a side bun. I contacted Jarmin who gladly invited me to come to her salon to do a second trial. The day of the wedding my hair was even better than I could have ever imagined. It looked so beautiful and I got many compliments. It stayed put all day, even in the heat of July! I loved my makeup and most importantly I felt very comfortable and beautiful in it. I ended up purchasing some of the same makeup that Elana used on me to touch up throughout the evening but really I didn’t need to do much as the makeup lasted great throughout the evening and despite the heat. Both were able to set up nicely in the hotel and made all the girls feel comfortable as we all got ready together. I would especially like to point out how flexible and accommodating the team was. My mom had an appointment with her normal hairdresser who never showed. Luckily the stylists moved things around a bit and were able to finish my mom’s hair and makeup in time. Elana even waited until the photographers arrived to do any final touch ups before heading out. The whole team was a pleasure to work with and I would highly recommend this team of talented artists and stylists!

I am a bride that had to plan her wedding from Louisiana & was getting married in Chicago. I found Elana via internet & she was so amazing from the beginning. She drove to downtown chicago when I was in town for my bachelorette party to do my trial makeup. She was so sweet, and does an unbelievable job. Im picky & wanted airbrush makeup and she listened to exactly what i wanted & i just trusted her immediatly! I got so many compliments about my makeup for my wedding day! She is so talented and i feel like ive known her for years! I would defiantly use elana for your special day! You will be SO Happy you did!!

Kristy

Elana is the absolute BEST make-up artist !! She came to downtown Chicago the day of my wedding and set up in the Hyatt hotel suite. In just a few short hours, she completed makeup for an exceptionally large wedding party (8 bridesmaids, 2 mothers, 2 grandmothers and a godmother). Every single person raved about how wonderful their makeup turned out. At the reception, even more people complimented the makeup job, and many asked for Elana to do future work for them. Elana is reasonably priced, very sociable, will work with you, and provide an outstanding service. I will be using only her for all of my future makeup needs. Thank you Elana for making my special day that much more special.

Elana was fantastic for me, my bridesmaids and our moms on the day of my wedding! She listened to what we wanted and made adjustments accordingly. All with a smile and a positive attitude!

I couldn't have been happier with Elana! She did such a great job at my wedding for me and my whole wedding party! I would recommend her in a heartbeat to anyone! Thanks again Elana!

An amazing makeup artist!!! My makeup lasted all day long and looked beautiful!

Elana did a great job! Reasonably priced... She had 5 get makeup done and we all looked beautiful! My makeup stayed in place all day - and night and probablly would have made it through the day after had I have left it... The eyelashes were the perfect addition to our day! I never had to worry about running black mascara marks! We all looked fantastic and enjoyed Elana!

Elana is just a peach to work with! I communicated with her eight months before my wedding to set up a trial appointment and then booked my wedding with her. She was very receptive to the kind of makeup I wear everyday and the look I was going for. My wedding day make up look beautiful and I got so many compliments from people who normally see me wearing no make up. As far as pricing goes, I also think that it was very reasonable for the quality of make up application and would lead me to use her again.

Elana is absolutely amazing! The first time I met her was at my friends wedding and I thought she was so professional, artistic and easy to get along with. After I set my wedding date, I called Elana and asked her to do my bridal party’s makeup for my wedding in Lake Geneva, WI. She came to my house in the suburbs of Chicago to do my trial and listened to what I wanted. I couldn’t have been happier the day of my trial and my wedding. I have many friends who use Elana and everyone loves her. She is definitely the best and I highly recommend her.

I was the photographer for a wedding. When I showed up at the bride's home, Elana was busy working her magic. I love to photograph natural beauty and that's exactly what Elana did for each of the bridesmaids, the bride and the mother's of the bride and groom! They all looked like natural beauties! She was especially good at making the false eyelashes look like they were a natural (yet dramatic) part of the person. She listened to each client and gave them exactly what they wanted (even changing the lipstick color of an older family member who couldn't quite make up her mind what she wanted). She was very relaxed and professional and set a nice tone - no one felt rushed. It was an enjoyable time for everyone. I'd highly recommend her.

Elana did a wonderful job! She did a great dramatic look for me without it being too much and she also did some beautiful natural looks for my bridesmaids. She works very quickly which was great so that everyone in my wedding party, including the moms could get their makeup done. She was great to talk to as well and I learned she has a lot of different experience which is part of why I think she is so excellent. My makeup lasted all day, except for the tired in my eyes I couldn't tell the difference between first pictures and last pictures. I shopped around quite a bit before finding Elana and I think she has a very modest cost, especially for the quality she delivers.

Elana is fantastic!!! I LOVED the way she did my makeup for my wedding! My bridesmaids and mothers loved their makeup also! She was able to accomplish the look that each one if them wanted! I HIGHLY recommend Elana!!

I would like to start off by saying that Elana did a AMAZING job on my makeup for my wedding! I am very picky about my makeup, and I felt that Elana really listened to me and was able to give me the exact look that I had wanted. I honestly wouldn't trust my "face" with anyone else but her :) I received so many compliments on not only my makeup, but my bridemaides' as well! Elana will be doing makeup for my sister's upcoming wedding as well, and I cannot wait to have my makeup done by her again!

Elana is wonderful! She listens to what you want, and is very professional. She works with the best products and made everyone look great on my sisters wedding day! I am getting married in March of 2012 and I have already booked her :)

Elana is absolutely amazing! After we confirmed our wedding date, my first phone call was literally to Elana to make sure she was available on the date to do my makeup. She has been doing makeup for my family for the past 15 years, and I have never been disappointed. She listens to what you want - dramatic or natural - and I think that is really important. I wish she could do my makeup everyday!!!! You will look amazing! She is truly gifted!!!!

Elana did an outstanding job with my wedding day makeup. I looked and felt my best on my special day. The makeup was done beautifully and really looked great in photos. I am also grateful for the excellent job Elana did with my bridesmaids and mother. Each one felt special and looked gorgeous. I couldn't be happier with the results and I have already recommended Elana to many of my friends!

I hired Elana for hair and makeup for a special occasion, and she and Lisa (for hair) were fantastic. They were able to work with my schedule. Elana did a great job with my makeup - I have a lot of acne scars and flaws, but she covered those up and the foundation looked great, especially in photos. I loved my overall look. My hair also was lovely - I did a side-do with curls, and It lasted all night long. Elana and her team work wonders. Thank you!

Elana has done my makeup several times now for various weddings. Two weeks ago it was for my moms wedding. We all looked amazing and I received many compliments on my makeup.
I will continue to call Elana for all of my makeup needs. She does a great job and is also very personable which is very important to me.

working with you was great , you do beautiful makeup.

Elana Darrus was fantastic last weekend at the Grand Hotel Wedding on Mackinac Island. The Bride, Ashley, had perfect makeup that was not overdone. Ashley brought Elana all the way from Chicago to solely do her makeup in Northern Michigan, a compliment in itself! I would highly recommend Elana to anyone. If you would like to see sample images check out https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150375150976648.410861.22844271647&type=1