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Conversations with the Inspiring Ashley Easton

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Easton.

Ashley, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My mom, grandma and great-grandma were all hairdressers! My mom had a salon in our home when I was really young and I’d play with mannequin heads while she serviced her clients. The smell of a perm literally takes me back to being five years old and watching as my mom’s clients would light up when they’d see the end result. Looking back, this is why I do what I do.

I had left my very successful Master Stylist position at Swank Salon in 2017 to move to the mountains and physically build my own home with my other half, Zach. We were on the road to freedom, happiness and financial hardship if we continued living solely off what we had saved up to make the build happen.

Throughout my styling career, I had sworn up and down that I would never be involved in bridal. Bridal styling was not something that I was naturally good at. I sucked at it, to be honest. The fear of failing was crippling to me, but after building my own house fear became the fuel. If you’re afraid of it, conquer it!!! With a new sense of drive and confidence, I began A Vow To Artistry in 2018. I immersed myself in my craft and all the aspects I wasn’t stellar at. I began researching business and social media platforms that would amplify my exposure! Then I saw it. Adventure Elopements.

My mouth had to have hit the floor. These were the most epic yet beautiful shots I’d ever seen! I definitely debated taking up photography and becoming an adventure elopement photographer. The idea hit me like a bag of bricks. I thought that if I were getting married, I would have an adventure elopement but I would also bring along a hair and makeup artist who would ensure I wouldn’t have lipstick smeared somewhere weird, or the wind that blows at 50+ mph above treeline doesn’t completely ruin my hair. I realized then and there. I am not the only one then! I could be that hair and makeup artist! I have already had multiple shoots where I woke up at 3 AM to get a bride ready and I have hit a trail at 3 in the morning as well! I’ve worked Denver Fashion Week where countless salons are in one tiny little back room. I’ve had all the experiences to mesh together to be your on hand stylist! I am still taking traditional weddings and brides, but I hope to soon be the go to girl for the adventurous elopements!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course, it hasn’t been a ‘smooth road’! I choose to play a mind over matter game with myself though. I know for a fact that in the end, everything happens for a reason. If I can change my perspective of a situation in that moment, I can find a more approachable path to wade through.

There’s beauty in the struggle. It is like love and hate. You can not have one without the other. One will never see success without failure, and the key is to build upon that ‘failure’ to make it a lesson. Take these lessons with strides and learn to be compassionate with yourself because this will elevate you even higher! Every single one of us are capable of great things, will we accept the challenge or stay nice and comfy?

what should we know about A Vow To Artistry? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Event hair and makeup began back in 2012 when we (Swank Salon) got asked to participate in Denver Fashion Week. From that year on, we did at least one but sometimes both the spring and fall shows until 2017. DFW was a high paced, work with whatever and where ever you can production. Often times there were meltdowns from models, supplies went mysteriously missing and you definitely hadn’t eaten at all the whole day. It prepared me for way more than a bride has ever tossed at me so I’d say I excel in customer service and making whatever you want happen! I’ve recently styled a bride’s hair on top of a mountain because we wanted to get styling shoots! It was a really windy day, so hair was flying all over the place. I went to grab an elastic to begin the style and my elastics must have fallen out somewhere along the trail. My expertise and mindset allowed me to think for just a few moments until I was able to construct a plan to execute the style with all bobby pins! No one even knew and the style had that much more beautiful texture and movement!

No matter what, my clients always come first. This isn’t as much about hair and makeup, as it is about that feeling you get when you watch someone look in the mirror and they feel perfect!

For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
Woman is well-positioned for anything they want to take head-on! I work on every single one of my vehicles. I did renovations when I was given the opportunity to flip a house. I built a house! I also do hair and makeup. I am a very good cook. I know how to sew.

You see, woman is not one thing. Women are all-encompassing beings, capable of conquering any task. Just as a man is, but we all have our own ways of doing it. I think women are particularly well-positioned for anything that sets their hearts on fire. If it has meaning to you, you’ll make that opportunity.

Pricing:

  • On-location services $25/hr of drive time from 81252
  • Bridal Hair- $100 Bridal Traditional Foundation Makeup- $100 Airbrush Foundation Makeup $115
  • Event Hair- $75 Event Traditional Foundation Makeup- $75 Airbrush Foundation Makeup $90

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Together We Roam – Laura and Hugo
Jaclyn Rose Photo

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