Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Kienlen.
Hi Andrea, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My love for. beauty began long before I realized it could become a career. Growing up in pageants, I remember sitting in the chair while professional artists did my hair and makeup. But when I competed in a local pageant within the Miss America system, I was required to learn how to do my own makeup, and that experience sparked something in me. At the time, I was studying ballet at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before switching my major to communications with a minor in theater. I had no idea how pivotal that decision would be. One of my theater courses focused on transforming character through makeup, almost like the show Face Off. Each week, we explore a different genre, and I fell in love with it. That passion eventually led me to cosmetology school. I gained my first professional experience in the beauty industry as a sales representative for Pür Minerals at several Kohl’s department stores throughout southern Wisconsin. That role taught me how to connect with people. I then began working working professionally in bridal in 2013, graduated from cosmetology school in 2016. Later, I continued rebuilding my experience as a makeup representative for Urban Decay while building my career in weddings. Today I am the proud owner of Luxe Enve, specializing in luxury bridal hair and makeup. I love helping brides feel confident, timeless and completely themselves on their wedding day and I still create elaborate Halloween makeup looks whenever I get the chance.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but many of the challenges ultimately redirected me in meaningful ways. I originally planned to become an aesthetician, but after two schools fell through, I chose cosmetology instead.That unexpected change opened the door to hair and makeup artistry and helped lead me to the career I have today. Building and rebuilding a business has been another challenge. I began my career in Wisconsin, then became a mainline flight attendant based in Detroit, Balancing an unpredictable travel schedule with growing a beauty business required flexibility and determination. Then COVID brought both the wedding and travel industries to a standstill forcing me to step back , adapt, and reconsider what I wanted the next chapter of my career to look like. Along the way, I also built a jewelry business, which strengthened my skills in marketing, customer relationships, live selling and creating a community around a brand. Although jewelry and bridal beauty are different industries , both allow me to help women express themselves and feel more confident. After becoming based in Minneapolis, I essentially had to rebuild my beauty network in a new market. I connected heavily with photographers, venues and other wedding professionals, and those relationships helped Luxe Enve grow. They also introduced me to the boudoir artistry. Boudoir and bridal may look different, they share something important: helping women feel confident, beautiful and completely at home in themselves. Growing any business requires patience, consistency, and a willingness to evolve. There have been setbacks and seasons of uncertainty, but each one has strengthened my artistry, expanded my vision and brought me closer to the experience I want to create for every woman who sits in my chair.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a luxury bridal hair and makeup artist, who specializes in soft glam looks, additionally working closely with photographers in the metro area with boudoir. I’ve come to love working with more smaller and more intimate bridal parties,I think what sets me apart from others is I am really big on communication making sure we have all the details from the start of inquiring to prep information all the way to the final touch up, ensuring that my brides and their bridal party walks away feeling confident and their absolute best. It’s a really neat feeling being a small part of such a memorable day. One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is completing my “31 Faces of Halloween” series for three consecutive years. Creating a different look every day throughout October challenged my creativity, discipline, technical skills, and allowed me to explore artistry for beyond traditional beauty makeup. I’m also incredibly proud of the opportunities I’ve had to work behind the scenes at a Macy’s fashion show and provide makeup for a local runway production. Those experiences taught me how to create under pressure, collaborate with other creatives, and adapt my work for different faces, styles and settings. Together, those moments shape me into the versatile and confident artist I am today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck, both good and bad, has played an important role in my journey as a bridal hair and makeup artist. Some of the greatest opportunities have come through chance encounters, word of mouth referrals, and brides who trusted me with one of the most meaningful days of their lives. Those moments may have started with luck, but building a lasting business has required skill, preparation, consistency, and genuine care for every client. Even the difficult seasons have been valuable. They’ve taught me to adapt, remain calm under pressure, and create beauty even when circumstances are unpredictable, which is especially important in the wedding industry.I believe luck may open the door, but how you show up determines where that door leads.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxeenve
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luxeenve
