Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Based in Richmond, VA, Magnolia Artistry VA is a makeup company that specializes in wedding beauty. This women-owned business works to make newlyweds-to-be look and feel their very best on their big day. Working with a focus on providing a stress-free and seamless experience, they offer on-site services to engaged couples, beautifying them in the location of their choice.
The team at this company is composed of two talented women. Sophia Whaley is a licensed esthetician and professional makeup artist with over 15 years of experience, and Chelsea Ireland also acts as a freelance makeup artist with over a decade of experience in the industry.
Magnolia Artistry VA offers a range of services for newlyweds-to-be. Both traditional and airbrush makeup application is available, creating a flawless and long-lasting base. Stylists can also offer false lash applications, helping eyes to pop in your wedding photos.
Chelsea started her makeup career in retail working and training with both high end brands and non-toxic mineral lines. During this time is when she discovered that her true passion was outside of sales, in on-location freelancing. That is when she started her own brand in ChelseaIrelandHMUA, working weddings and photoshoots by referrals, as well as contracting for bridal salons in Richmond. Chelsea studied hair and trained as an apprentice for some time, but ultimately decided that makeup artistry is her true calling. She has been in the beauty industry for over a decade.
Sophia Whaley & Chelsea Ireland
Owners/Artists
Enhancing your natural beauty and helping you feel radiant from the inside out with professional makeup services and southern charm.
Sophia
Co-Owner/Makeup Artist
Sophia has had a passion for all things beauty since childhood. She has been in the makeup industry for over fifteen years, working with high end beauty brands in the retail industry and freelancing weddings, special events, and photography. Sophia studied makeup in Toronto, ON and is a licensed master esthetician in the state of Virginia.
Reviews
4.9
out of 5.0
16 reviews
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Magnolia Artistry, particularly Chelsea, received glowing reviews for their exceptional makeup services for weddings. Chelsea was praised for her professionalism, talent, flexibility in accommodating preferences and allergies, and ability to enhance the natural beauty of brides, bridesmaids, and mothers. The makeup was described as flawless, long-lasting, and suitable for various skin tones, even lasting through emotional moments and a full day of ceremony and dancing. Reviewers highly recommend Magnolia Artistry for weddings.
Heather P
5.0
11/12/2025
Chelsea and Sophia both came for my wedding day, they were both so professional and prepared to glam my girls and they did such an amazing job! Chelsea did my makeup and I could not have asked for one thing different it was perfect, she took my changes from the trial and gave me exactly what I wanted. Highly recommend magnolia artistry!
Jaleh N
5.0
10/30/2025
Chelsea worked with me and my girls on my wedding day and it was such a good experience all around! Would highly recommend!
Any questions?
Erica C
5.0
10/02/2024
Chelsea was so great to work with for my and my husband's September 1 wedding! She worked with our schedules to arrange the preview session while we were visiting from out-of-state, and the wedding day was a breeze. She was conscientious about photographing and keeping track of the decisions we made about styling and color choices, and did a great job of making me and my husband look like the best version of ourselves for our wedding day.
Morgan M
5.0
5/13/2024
Magnolia Artisty Makeup was an absolutely incredible vendor to work with! Not only was my makeup flawless as the bride but all of my bridesmaids and my mother looked incredible as well! They are very talented and can work with multiple skin tones and types. Chelsea, my main makeup artist, was incredibly fun and her easy going demeanor was wonderful for such an important and nerve wracking day. If you are looking for a professional and extremely talented makeup artist I strongly recommend booking with Magnolia!
Elena W
5.0
5/07/2024
Chelsea was amazing! My bridesmaids and I all felt and looked great! She was also great at accommodating my allergies and making sure the products she used were all safe for my skin.
Brooklyn F
5.0
10/30/2023
Absolutely great at her job and so sweet! Highly recommend getting makeup done by Chelsea at Magnolia Artistry.
Mallory K
5.0
5/13/2023
Magnolia Artistry was a wonderful choice for our big day! From the mother's of the bride/groom, bridesmaids, to the bridal makeup, everyone looked and felt absolutely beautiful! On a 12 hour day of emotions, an outdoor ceremony, and a lot of dancing at the reception, the makeup held up and there was no need to reapply lips or anything. Sophia and Chelsea are so kind, and great to work with.
Shamir B
4.0
10/23/2022
My maid of honor and I enjoyed working with Sophia. She did a wonderful job on our makeup. She was also super flexible and graciously accommodated several last-minute changes. I would definitely recommend and book with Magnolia Artistry again.
Kelli R
5.0
10/20/2022
Zoe & Sophia did an AMAZING job. There was perfection in every detail and I am so grateful to have had them for my wedding day!
Becca F
5.0
7/25/2022
Magnolia Artistry did an amazing job for our wedding as our makeup artists! They did a phenomenal job with every bridesmaid's makeup and listened to what styles and color palettes each individual girl wanted. My bridal makeup was spectacular as well! I received so many compliments throughout the night telling me how beautiful my makeup was. I can't recommend doing the airbrush makeup with them enough! They are responsive and prompt in their responses as well. Can't wait to hopefully use them again in the future for another special event! :)
Cori B
5.0
5/03/2022
Magnolia Artistry was such a pleasure to work with. Chelsea and Zoe did a beautiful job on my bridal hair and make up, as well as hair and make up for members of my bridal party. They were great about matching inspo. pictures that were shown to them, while offering thoughtful suggestions as they worked. I wanted a few changes to my look between my trial and wedding day and they made them without ever missing a beat. I felt so beautiful in my final look and am incredibly grateful to Chelsea and Zoe. They are fantastic at what they do, as well as professional, communicative, prompt, flexible and such fun women with positive energy. I would highly recommend their services to anyone!
Ashley C
5.0
3/11/2022
The team at Magnolia Artistry did an amazing job with the hair and makeup for my wedding. The team was very knowledgeable and listened to what you wanted. I can’t recommend them enough!
E A
5.0
2/16/2022
I found Magnolia Artistry through their Instagram and couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome! Magnolia Artistry was accommodating for a last minute trial and wedding date (6ish weeks) — all prices were clearly communicated and the contract was concise. Magnolia Artistry answered all 713 questions I had and provided their professional input.
Chelsea did my airbrush bridal makeup and Zoe did my bridal hair and both were PERFECTION! The trial was beautiful and when it came to the wedding date, Chelsea welcomed a minor tweaks to ensure I felt my best!
Perhaps most importantly, Chelsea and Zoe were very calm and patient when my dog had a minor problem and we had to make accommodations for him.
I will 1000% be returning to Magnolia Artistry for all hair and makeup event needs!
Melinda W
5.0
10/24/2021
Highly recommend! I had hair and makeup with a pretty complicated vintage inspired updo and glam makeup. I LOVED it and got so many compliments. My bridesmaids all got different types of services and they were very accommodating and flexible in their skills. In addition they were just delightful people to have a part of an incredibly special day.
Loryn W
5.0
10/18/2021
The ladies of Magnolia Artistry were WONDERFUL to work with. They were very flexible and accommodating with everything we needed for the big day. During the trial, they worked hard to identify the look I was going for. They were very professional, extremely responsive, and helped put me at ease on the day of my wedding. I would highly recommend them!
brittany r
5.0
7/11/2021
Magnolia Artistry was wonderful to work with! Getting your hair and make up done the way you like is always a bit scary, you never know if you share the same vision but I felt completely at ease working with this group of ladies! My whole wedding party was absolutely pleased with the way they looked. My Make up was so good that people told me I should wear make up more often! And my hair was something out of a fairytale! Just magical! Thank you all!!
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Magnolia Artistry Makeup
Sophia Whaley & Chelsea Ireland
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Owners/Artists
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