Regent Square Woman Brings Out the Beauty in Local Brides

Makeup artistry is second nature to Melissa Layman-Stephan, who spent nearly a decade in the industry in Hollywood.

Born in Washington County, she returned to the region a couple of years ago, specifically Regent Square, for a change of pace.

“Regent Square was the first neighborhood we looked at and we totally fell in love with it,” she said. “It was like we didn’t even consider another neighborhood."

Coming from southern California, she and her husband really didn’t know what to expect. 

“Regent Square was like the closest thing to laid back, low-key, diverse kind of neighborhood,” she said. “Everyone is so nice, everyone has dogs and everyone is chill.”

Today, she focuses on beautifying the brides of Pittsburgh as a makeup artist at local weddings. She considers the events her specialty and personal favorite type of gig.

“I minored in studio arts so the artistry part was always something I was in love with.” Stephan said.

She attended the University of Pittsburgh and immediately moved to Los Angeles after graduation. In L.A., she worked at a makeup school called Make-up Designory, which is well known in film and TV. She then started taking classes there.

For Stephan, who later pursued a master’s degree in psychology, the personal side of makeup is what draws her in.

“It just made sense because I am using the artistry and it’s personalized because you’re working with someone’s face,” she said.

Stephan earned her certificate and did an awards show with Neil Patrick Harris, completed makeup work in public service announcements, sports, and the first feature film she worked on was called "Girl Trash All Night Long." In addition, she worked at weddings, fashion shows and other events.

“Throughout all of that, working one on one with brides or models, I like that relationship of having someone in my chair and seeing someone vulnerable without makeup on,” Stephan said. “Just making people feel beautiful for an event is something that is really important and that’s what I do here in Pittsburgh.”

She especially loves working with brides in the ‘Burgh.

“I have done weddings in L.A. and the bride is just so much different here,” Stephan said. “She’s much more appreciative—a lot of women I work with are busy professionals and they don’t really have time to put their makeup on and get ready to go out and focus on that. To put makeup on them and make them feel good for their wedding is awesome.”

Stephan loves the fact that her job allows her to play an integral part in someone’s special day.

“They’re so sweet and it makes me feel so good to be that instrument on that day for them,” she said. “A lot of makeup artists hate weddings because people are just throwing things at you for two hours but I just love it.”

And just as people share details of their lives with their hairstylists, nervous brides have had intimate conversations with her just a few minutes after meeting.

“It’s kind of like you’re a therapist," she said. “I have dealt with some really interesting people and I tend to attract people with odd stories for some reason.”

In one instance, a woman blurted out, “I forgot to put underwear on today. I was so upset and stressed out I forgot.”

“That was probably the weirdest one,” Stephan said. “I kind of just laughed said 'it’ll be OK, no one will notice.'”

In addition to focusing on weddings, Stephan also does head shots for actors and participated in Fashion Week in Pittsburgh last year.

Her main makeup tip for women—balance.

“If you’re going for a smoky eye, do a nude lip,” she said. “Less is more. You don’t have to pile it on. There are so many beautiful women here so just let it flow.”

For more information, visit http://www.melissa-layman-stephan.com/.