Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Massengale-Roberts.
Hi Madison, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I always loved doing hair and makeup. I was the friend that got everyone ready for winter formal and prom. I would spend hours watching youtube tutorials and getting myself ready, but never thought about it as a career path until I was older. I actually attempted to go to cosmetology school at 19 for the first time, but I was paying for school myself and ran into financial issues which led me to drop out. It wasn’t until the pandemic that I actually decided to go back. It was August of 2020 and I realized I needed to pick a direction for life. In school I knew that working in a Salon full time was not at all what I wanted to do. After I graduated, I moved to Charleston, SC where I had an amazing opportunity to work with an established stylist, who’d been in the industry for almost 20 years. Claire really taught me how to cut hair and filled in the gaps from cosmetology school. However, I was in a salon 40 to 50 hours a week and could feel the wear on myself.
When my husband and I started dating seriously he asked me to move in with him in Hendersonville, NC. We both grew up in Greenville, SC and the majority of our family was still in the area. It was an easy yes and I quickly found a bridal company that I began working for that serviced the Western NC area. I now work for that same company as an independant contractor, as well as freelance for myself doing Bridal/Event hair and makeup. I also work with a local maternity/newborn/family photographer, offering hair and makeup services to any of her clients as an add on. I work 2 days a week in a salon in South Asheville called The Atrium. My schedule is perhaps unconventional, but that’s what I love. I love meeting new people, connecting and making other women feel beautiful. I get to be a part of so many special moment’s in people’s lives and being able to contribute to those moments is truly the best feeling.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There were definitely struggles along the way. When I first tried going to cosmetology school it was through a technical college. They made you take a business portion of classes before you really got into to learning any of the hands on stuff. So I make it through the first semester, but when I make it to the next part of curriculum I’m told I need a $300 textbook and a $900 kit by the end of the week. I was paying for school myself and didn’t have that amount of money laying around, so I had to drop out. When I did finally decide to go back I ended up going to Paul Mitchell In Greenville, SC. This was in late 2020, so still deep in the pandemic. I worked nights to get through school three days a week. So I went to classes Tuesday through Saturday, 9am to 4:30pm, and I worked 7pm to 2:30 am. I’d be home by 3am the nights I worked and then back up at 8am to get ready for school. That was tough, but I pushed through it and look back in awe that I made it through.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
So I do Bridal/Event hair and makeup. I specialize in natural glam makeup and soft, romantic hairstyles. I do a combination of traditional and airbrush makeup, which gives the best longevity and coverage in my opinion. I love doing Hollywood waves and smooth half-ups the most, but I love getting to bring someone’s vision to life, no matter the style. I also pride myself in creating realistic expectations for my clients. I never want to over promise and underdeliver, so I do my best to keep my clients informed when their vision may need to look different in reality to actually come together.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Being tired at the end of a day doing what I love makes me happy. Coming home to my husband and my fur babies, (I have a 3 year old German Shepard and 2 cats), and watching reality television together makes me happy. I love to crochet, paint, garden and play pickleball in my free time. Spending time with friends and family makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/styles.by.mads/
- Other: madisonpmroberts@gmail.com
