For this month’s Vendor Spotlight, we sat down with makeup artist Amy Lynn of Amy Lynn Larwig. From commercial photoshoots to weddings, Amy Lynn has been beautifying Nashville one face at a time! Amy Lynn’s philosophy is that a bride’s look must be customized to fit her, that she not only looks like, but feels like the best version of herself. Check out one of our favorite vendors, and we promise you’ll feel oh so pretty!
Q: What was your dream job growing up?
A: I wanted to be a super model. I took modeling classes and did pageants. But I topped out at 5’1”, so that dream crashed quickly. Haha!
Q: What does a typical wedding day look like for you?
A: We go into each wedding day with one goal: to complete our work beautifully, efficiently, and with zero drama. I pack my kit the night before, grab a bottle of water and a snack to go, and arrive early to whichever venue I’m told to go to. When we find our location, we set up and get started twirling hair and prepping skin. Majority of the time, we don’t sit, eat, or pee until everyone is complete and happy. The reason we excel at our jobs is because we know how to read the energy in a room. Some brides prefer quiet and she talks gently among her family and bridesmaids. We lay low in those situations and allow her time to reflect. Some brides are very excited and full of energy. She will include you in on the jokes and offer champagne to all who enter the room. In those situations, we can laugh and jump into the group conversation. Rarely, we get the dramatic brides. Very rarely. She will have bridesmaids crying in the bathroom, momma looking for her Xanax, and she’s demanding the bridal party walk at least 100 yards in their 4 inch heels to break them in. In those (like I said, rare) situations, we are focused on doing our work, with our heads down, and getting out of there with as little drama overflow as possible. We want every bride’s day to be fun and relaxed. So we can walk into the room and adapt to the energy already present. Sometimes, we have to redirect negative energy as well. Once everyone is looking sparkly and it’s time for us to leave, we scoot out and leave the room the way we found it. I usually head straight home for a hug from my four year old and a cold beer.
Q: How did you get into the beauty business?
A: I always loved makeup. So at 17 years old, I began building my portfolio. I would do anyone’s makeup that would let me and I’d take photos of it with my dad’s old film Canon. I worked at a small boutique selling cosmetics and tried direct sales. I was TERRIBLE. I couldn’t sell anything! But I could put it on people, so I ran with that. It’s led me to work on music videos, commercials, tv shows, photo shoots, fashion shows, billboards, etc.
Q: How long have you been in business? Why did you decide to start a business?
A: I’ve been a freelance hair and makeup artist for 14 years. I went full time with it 7 years ago. I have a really hard time being told what to do, so I was destined to be self-employed. It fits my spirit best to be my own boss.
Q: What is your favorite part of a wedding day/event day?
A: I love the relationships. It’s intriguing to watch sisters tell stories about their childhood. The dads that cry when they see their baby girl all dressed up always do me in. The best friends that have nicknames and inside jokes and can laugh endlessly together. Being privileged enough to witness all that love and history between people is my favorite part.
Q: What is your favorite color palette to work with?
A: I’m a makeup artist! I love ALL COLORS! Right now, I’m loving dark berries against stark white. I can incorporate those same cool hues in the berry to the cheeks and lips.
Q: What do you do for fun outside of work?
A: I have many interests. I love pyrography and building things. Give me a saw and a beer and I can entertain myself for hours. My current love is a women’s empowerment retreat I’ve created. Girl: Redefined is happening June 2-4th in Asheville. I’m taking ten ladies to do traditionally masculine activities such as archery and night fishing. I love the idea of women participating in challenging activities, deriving strength from their success with it, and then applying that strength and bad ass attitude to their life.
Q: Who would be your dream celebrity to do hair and makeup for?
A: I adore Val Chmerkovskiy from Dancing with the Stars. I love his heart and his energy and I would love to get a hold of his beautiful face. I know most people would expect me to say some beautiful female celebrity. But the part I love most about my job is hearing people’s stories and being in such an intimate position with them. I enjoy the clients that have something important to say and that I can learn from much more than the ones that are just pretty faces and heavenly hair.
Q: If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
A: Not far. I like adventure and all, but I think I’d just head to Navarre Beach. It’s quiet, warm, clean. But to make it awesome, I’d bring a lot of people with me. Places are only as magical as the people you experience them with.
Thank you Amy Lynn for sharing with us! With Amy Lynn Larwig at your Vision in White wedding, we guarantee a gorgeous day, and a beautiful blushing bride!
