Beauty by Mineko (Nikki) was recommended to me by my wedding planner, and my experience was everything I could have hoped for! After a few initial calls with some makeup and hair artists that were also on my list, I chose Nikki based on our conversation — she was very friendly and took the time to answer all my questions without feeling rushed — as well as after sharing some of my concerns with her. I was hesitant about hiring a makeup artist because I rarely wear makeup and knew my bridal party had mixed experiences with makeup as well. Two of us are half-Asian, and we’ve never been able to find eye looks that suit our eyelids and features. Nikki assured me that she’s worked with a diverse range of clients and I was able to view photos she shared with me (as well as looking through her social media).

I (and my mom) had a wonderful experience at the hair and makeup trial. I was between two hair styles — a low bun or a sleek, straightened down look — and did the low bun at the trial. It was beautiful and stayed in throughout the rest of the day. However, after speaking with Nikki on the phone a week or so later, I told her that I wanted to schedule another hair trial. While I loved the look, it didn’t feel like “me.” Nikki assured me that this was okay and that it’s important to look at yourself in the mirror on your wedding day and feel like “you.” At our second trial, I knew the down look was the perfect style for me and for my wedding day. She did a fantastic job!

For makeup, she was able to execute the look perfectly and even adjusted after I realized that the first foundation we tried was a bit too wet throughout the rest of the day (she ended up doing airbrush on the day of it and it didn’t budge!). Perfect shade matching and exactly what I asked for based on the photos — soft, natural, waterproof makeup (for the tears that I knew would — and did — make many appearances on my wedding day!). I did do my own brows (this was a non-negotiable for me) before getting into the chair (which did require that I use a new and unopened product, per the contract).

My hair and makeup looked flawless all day — from 9am until 1am the next day. Nikki was so fun to spend many hours with between the 2 trials, 2 lash appointments, and in the morning on my wedding day. She’s sweet, fun, and talented.

Importantly, all of my bridesmaids were so happy with their makeup, including the ones who had had less-than-ideal experiences with other artists or who had reservations about their makeup being done. They didn’t feel too “made up” and even though they had makeup on, it looked and felt natural. And, Tiffany, who worked with Nikki to do the hairstyles of my 4 bridesmaids, did an absolutely fantastic job! She and Nikki worked really well together, and all their hair looked amazing and stayed put. My one bridesmaid — who had been in 5 other weddings and had yet to have a hairstyle that stayed put and worked with her hair — had the best experience with Tiffany of all the hairstylists she’s worked with.

Nikki made me — and my mom and my wedding party — feel beautiful! I would highly recommend Nikki and Beauty by Mineko to any brides, especially if you’re not used to wearing much makeup or have any reservations about the process.

Wow, where do I even start with Nikki. From our very first email to her being of the last people to hug me goodbye before walking down the aisle with my dad, Nikki was an incredibly supportive and positive energy to have around. We did two trials before my wedding day and both were so much fun in her gorgeous studio in CT. She went out of her way to travel across state lines at 5AM (!!) to do my hair and makeup for our morning wedding and I couldn't have been happier with the outcome and how everything shows up in the pictures. She is professional, honest, and straightforward. Would recommend to anyone and everyone

Nikki and Megan did a fantastic job with hair and makeup for our wedding. Everyone looked effortlessly beautiful and our moms, who don’t wear makeup, really loved how everyone’s beauty was enhanced, but not overshadowed. They’re still talking about it two months later!

Nikki did the makeup for me and my bridal party this May. She did a FANTASTIC job, and was very professional. I highly recommend her!

Nikki was amazing! She listened to everything that I wanted and took such great notes after the trial run and completely nailed the look I was looking for. She brought in a friend to do our hair and kept on schedule. Both ladies were amazing! They also stepped in when my photographer was missing special moments while getting ready, and the two ladies took a few beautiful photos of the special moments and shared them with me the next day. I couldn’t have asked for a better team. I felt so beautiful!

Nikki was referred to me by multiple people (former brides and bridal party members) and exceeded all expectations. We had a large group of girls and Nikki brought a team with her that was able to ensure that everyone looked flawless on time. She was professional and helpful throughout the planning process. I knew that I had nothing to worry about with her in charge of our wedding preparations. After doing several lash lift and tints, my trial and finally hair and makeup on the big day, I really felt like Nikki was a good friend. I would refer her without hesitation to anyone looking to book hair and makeup for their big day. Thank you, Nikki :)

I absolutely adore Nikki! I needed to find a makeup and hair artist down by the North Stonington/Preston area to make it easy on the day of my wedding. I am so glad I found Nicole. She is so bubbly, friendly, and adorable and a total perfectionist (like myself). She was very responsive via email and made it easy to send over ideas for my look and to book the trial. Sitting in the chair with Nikki is a lot of fun. She's so peppy and friendly and FUN. I felt so at ease the morning of my wedding talking to her and her assistant for the day, Sarah, who was equally fun to be around. All of my bridesmaids and the MOB/MOG looked BEAUTIFUL! She was so accommodating when one of my bridesmaids changed her mind last minute about doing her makeup, and made sure to fit her in before she left. (My bridesmaid changed her mind because when she saw how good we all looked she didn't want to pass up the opportunity!) Nikki stayed a lot longer than she had initially planned on to finish everything up and she never once complained or even looked remotely phased by it. We all looked amazing. I've had a bad experience with airbrush makeup before, last summer when i was in a friends wedding. My now husband didn't even recognize me because that particular artist really didn't know how to make the makeup look natural. Nikki knew exactly what to do and really listened to my vision for a natural bohemian look. On top of it all, none of us had any smears, smudges, or lines after sweating it out on the dance floor all night long and removal was super easy in the shower!

Nicole made me and my bridal party feel and look amazing. She was so much fun to work with, and just did an outstanding job and kept communcation open for any changes. I even looked good the morning after, and she brought a whole new level of confidence to a adolescent junior bridesmaid who felt uncomfortable standing in front of everyone. I had a larger party (9 girls plus myself and MOB) and she was able to get everyone done wonderfully! Thank you Nikki!

Nicole Dawson is the best in the industry! She is knowledgeable, professional, & honest. My bridesmaids, mother and I all loved our wedding day looks, and all felt that Nicole did her best to make each of us a more beautiful version of ourselves. My day was perfect with her help.

Nicole was great! She was professional and very easy going. Made me comfortable and got back to me in a timely matter and answered any questions I had. Very friendly and easy to work with. She did my bridal hair and make up truely amazing!