5.0
Praised by couples for:
Hair Styling
Bridal Makeup
Seasoned Professional
Every bride is irresistibly beautiful.
San Diego, Orange, And Los Angeles County
Travel area: Within 100 miles See details
I couldn’t have been happier with my decision to hire Shade & Strand for my wedding day hair and makeup. Planning my wedding from afar meant reaching out to multiple vendors, and what immediately set Shade & Strand apart was the personalized communication. I could tell I was speaking with an actual person who cared, not receiving an automated cost sheet. Heather was incredibly helpful, answered every question, and made the booking process easy.
About a month before the wedding, I booked a quick trip to San Diego to finalize some details, and Heather was able to schedule my trial on short notice. At the trial, I met Kelly (hair) and Victoria (makeup). I shared a few inspiration photos, and they brought my vision to life beautifully.
My wedding day was in late August: hot and extremely humid. The team arrived at our hotel right on schedule with all their equipment and immediately got to work. Kelly styled not only my hair, but also my two sisters’ and my sister‑in‑law’s. When my mom, who wasn’t originally scheduled, asked if Kelly could quickly spray her hair because she’d run out of time at home to curl her hair, Kelly immediately said, “Why aren’t we doing that right now?” and welcomed her into the chair. It was such a thoughtful touch.
Victoria took extra precautions with my makeup to ensure it would withstand the intense humidity (nearly 95%). I genuinely don’t know how she did it, but my makeup stayed flawless all night. My hair held up perfectly as well.
Having previously worked as a wedding coordinator in a hotel, I’ve seen countless hair and makeup teams in action. Choosing the right vendor was extremely important to me, and Shade & Strand exceeded every expectation. They are true professionals, incredibly kind, and so easy to work with. I would highly recommend them to any bride. Everyone deserves to feel their most beautiful on their wedding day, and this team will make sure that you do.
Emily E.
5.0
We had a great experience with Kelly & Victoria! My updo as a bride was very regal...just what I had envisioned. It was so very helpful to have a trial run. My maid of honor/sister's half-up & half -down hair style was lovely & received many compliments. The team kept a cheerful attitude & stress- free environment which was so helpful on my wedding day! Would highly recommend for another special event.
Denise ( the Bride)
Denise V.
5.0
Heather Raco
HAIR AND MAKE UP ARTIST
Typically responds within 24h
AWARD WINNER (5X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Based in San Diego and now serving Orange and Los Angeles counties, Shade & Strand specializes in elevated bridal hair and makeup artistry designed to make you feel radiant, confident, and unforgettable as you walk down the aisle.
We believe your wedding look should feel like you — timeless, effortless, and full of your unique energy. Our team blends artistry and intention, collaborating closely with each bride to create a look that photographs beautifully and feels even better in person.
Fifty years from now, when you look back at your wedding photos, we want you to remember not just how stunning you looked, but how deeply you felt it.
Shade & Strand isn’t just about beauty — it’s about creating moments you’ll remember forever. Let’s create yours together.
“When your energy, beauty, and confidence align — that’s when the magic happens.”
Pacific Islander-owned and Woman-owned Business
9+ years in business
Speaks English
Details
Beauty
Beauty Group Bookings
Hair Stylists
Hair Trials Available
Makeup
Eyelash Extensions
Makeup Artists
Makeup Trials Available
On-Site Hair & Makeup
Spas
Facials
Massage
Waxing
Awards and Affiliations
5-Time 'Best of Weddings'
2026.2025.2024.+2 more.
Best of Weddings
The Knot independently assesses vendors for this award—it’s never self-reported. We base it on firsthand experiences from real couples and guests, and they must have a 4.5-star average across 7+ reviews in the qualifying year.
Hall of Fame
Earned by winning 'Best of Weddings' four or more times.
Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding
Meet the team
Showing slide number 1 out of 6
- Kelly DixBridal Hair Artist@cuppa_curls_by_kd over 26 years experience, Kelly loves everything from romantic half-up styles to high updos. She brings laughs and hype but can just as easily bring the calm when a bride needs it. Her curling iron is never far away and watching the bridal party's confidence shine is her favorite part. Off duty, she's with family, friends, or horses at stables. Fun Fact:a runaway stick on bra once stole the spotlight while she styled onstage in London! Her theme song? "Off the Wall" by Michael Jackson.
- Cynthia AvilesMakeup and Hair Artist@barbee_glam Cynthia has been creating beauty since she was 14, with full glam as her signature. Her favorite moment is the mirror reveal, seeing a brie light up with happiness and confidence. She brings whatever energy her bride needs, from calm reassurance to laughs and hype. Her Finishing touch? NYX shimmer in the inner corners for that extra sparkle. Off glam duty, you'll find her at the soccer fields with her kids. Fun Fact: she wasn't girly grown up and hated doing hair!
- Heather RacoHair and Make Up ArtistHeather is Shade and Strands Founder and Owner! She is the voice and texting behind the secens! She is a woman of many talents! Bridal hair is her FORTE but don't sleep on her make up skills! Watch out! Her raw talent no trianing behind a camera will capture some pretty cool moments! You will probably be on Instagram!
- Victoria JabaroMakeup Artist@glambyvictorial With 25 years of experience, Victoria brings timeless, Elevated glam and a love for skin care to every bride. Weather you need a calming presence or your own hype girl, she matches your up energy so you feel comfortable and cared for. Her favorite send off? "Okay, now go get married!" Outside of he bridal beauty, she's a salon manager and mom of three boys, balancing football, family, and organized chaos. Her theme song: "Girl on Fire".
- Crystal StarMakeup and Hair Artist@crystalcuts.oc 20+ years experience, Crystal is our Orange County go - to and always ready to help our San Diego team. A double threat in hair and makeup, she loves soft glam, a good glow-up and making every woman feel amazing. Expect laughs, hype, and her favorite NARS lip stain in her kit. Off glam duty, she's traveling and performing as a singer, songwriter, and pianist with an album on iTunes. Her theme song? "Wake Me Up" by Avicii.
- Katie BethHair and Makeup ArtistWith over 15 years behind the chair, Katie Beth leads our Los Angeles weddings, creates hair magic at Disneyland, and lends her talents to Vegan Fashion Week in LA. She loves fancy, fun updos paired with simple, timeless makeup you'll still love in photos 30 years from now. Her favorite wedding moment is straight out of 27 Dresses: watching the groom's face when he sees his bride. It says everything.
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.0224 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Shade & Strand delivered exceptional, personalized wedding hair and makeup. The team was responsive, punctual, and accommodating with trials and on-site services, creating looks that photographed beautifully and lasted all day—even in humidity. They were professional, efficient, and made getting ready fun and stress-free. Highly recommended.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 9
HANNAH J
Highlighted review.
5.0
If you are looking to have fun and then feel so beautiful on your wedding day, hire Heather & her team!! I was blown away how perfectly they did my hair & makeup (and I have been i...
n quite a few weddings). They brought my vision to life, made me feel stunning, and my hair held the whole day. I didn't even need it to be teased which was honestly so nice at the end of the night, I could pretty much just brush my hair normally! The make up was the same, it looked perfect hours later. They made me feel like myself but elevated for a special day.
Emily E
5.0
I couldn’t have been happier with my decision to hire Shade & Strand for my wedding day hair and makeup. Planning my wedding from afar meant reaching out to multiple vendors, and w...
hat immediately set Shade & Strand apart was the personalized communication. I could tell I was speaking with an actual person who cared, not receiving an automated cost sheet. Heather was incredibly helpful, answered every question, and made the booking process easy.
About a month before the wedding, I booked a quick trip to San Diego to finalize some details, and Heather was able to schedule my trial on short notice. At the trial, I met Kelly (hair) and Victoria (makeup). I shared a few inspiration photos, and they brought my vision to life beautifully.
My wedding day was in late August: hot and extremely humid. The team arrived at our hotel right on schedule with all their equipment and immediately got to work. Kelly styled not only my hair, but also my two sisters’ and my sister‑in‑law’s. When my mom, who wasn’t originally scheduled, asked if Kelly could quickly spray her hair because she’d run out of time at home to curl her hair, Kelly immediately said, “Why aren’t we doing that right now?” and welcomed her into the chair. It was such a thoughtful touch.
Victoria took extra precautions with my makeup to ensure it would withstand the intense humidity (nearly 95%). I genuinely don’t know how she did it, but my makeup stayed flawless all night. My hair held up perfectly as well.
Having previously worked as a wedding coordinator in a hotel, I’ve seen countless hair and makeup teams in action. Choosing the right vendor was extremely important to me, and Shade & Strand exceeded every expectation. They are true professionals, incredibly kind, and so easy to work with. I would highly recommend them to any bride. Everyone deserves to feel their most beautiful on their wedding day, and this team will make sure that you do.
Any questions?
Denise V
5.0
We had a great experience with Kelly & Victoria! My updo as a bride was very regal...just what I had envisioned. It was so very helpful to have a trial run. My maid of honor/sister...
's half-up & half -down hair style was lovely & received many compliments. The team kept a cheerful attitude & stress- free environment which was so helpful on my wedding day! Would highly recommend for another special event.
Denise ( the Bride)
LeAndra R
5.0
Shade and strand were very quick responders for what felt like last minute of us booking! I was very happy with the outcome of my hair and makeup, and they were also kind enough to...
accept doing a big surprise hair chop! Highly recommend!
Kristianna Z
5.0
Heather and Kelly were fantastic! They made my dead, straight hair extra curly for my wedding day. Their makeup was natural but still sparkly enough to make my eyes pop. Even my br...
idesmaids loved their hair and makeup. I would definitely recommend them to any bride.
Hannah B
5.0
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Shade and Strand ! They were absolutely amazing from start to finish and played such a special part in making my wedding day feel even mo...
re beautiful and memorable.
Everything came out exactly how I envisioned — beautiful, polished, and still completely like me. Everything photographed so well, and my look stayed gorgeous throughout the entire day and night.
Beyond their talent, they were professional, kind, attentive, and so easy to work with. They helped keep me calm and made getting ready such a fun and enjoyable part of the wedding morning.
I felt absolutely beautiful and confident on one of the most important days of my life, and I’m so grateful to them for that. I would highly recommend them to any bride looking for an incredibly talented and dependable hair and makeup team! 🤍✨
Austin S
5.0
Heather was so flexible and helpful she listened to what I wanted and she did a fantastic job on our hair for my wedding!
Savannah O
5.0
Timely - great communication - amazing look! Just what I wanted 🩷🩷
Joshua M
4.0
i found Shade and Strand through the Knot, I found that through most makeup artists they often showed the same glam style on every bride but here they had some fun colors and diffe...
rent styles which I appreciated being a bit of an alternative bride myself. We did a makeup and hair trial and I looked amazing, and it helped me really figure out what I wanted to do. Both ladies were so excited to do the crazy things I was throwing at them, such as dying extensions and adding gems and designs to the bridesmaids faces. The day of came and the girls were ready to go, they were very accommodating with the girls on the day of. Everyone was ready right on time! The played jams and made the environment very fun loving, which is definitely appreciated on a stressful day. They provided me with a small pad to help keep my makeup long lasting. Although it was likely not good for my hair or skin, I didn't want to take it off, and ended up wearing the makeup and hairstyle for three days after my wedding. It was not as nice as the day of but honestly I could've probably wore the hair longer and still looked amazing. My only reason for docking a star is that my lips were not showing up how I wanted them to and ended up coming off as more of a dark red rather than the ombre effect I was going for and this was after bringing up that I wanted the ombre, quite a few times. Regardless I still looked amazing and would happily work with them again!
Kelly M
5.0
Heather brought the most warm and vibrant energy to our wedding morning! She met us early at our hotel to do my hair and makeup for an 8am photoshoot at the beach before our mornin...
g ceremony. I was worried about finding someone who would be willing to meet me at 5:30am, but Heather totally rallied (and helped me wake up too!). She is kind, attentive, and creative, taking your ideas into account and putting in her own spin (with your permission!) as needed. She comes prepared with accessories to accentuate your look! My husband was in the room with us and we all had a blast chatting, laughing, and getting to know each other. I don’t normally wear makeup on the daily, but she made me feel so comfortable and did a great job with the natural look I was hoping for.
Ellie A
5.0
Shade and Strand was a dream to work with on every level. They were incredibly, almost instantaneously responsive to questions and requests (thank you Heather!). The hair and makeu...
p team (Kelly and Victoria) were not only extremely talented and made us all look incredible but made the experience just so wonderful. I chose to bring my mother to the trial with me and they were so kind and fun, really listened to what we were envisioning and made it a once in a lifetime, lasting memory for the both of us. They were on time the day of, took care of all of our bridesmaids, including our young flower girl and every single one of them absolutely loved their look. I could not have asked for a better team than these gals. I would 1000% use them again and recommend them for a wedding or any event.
Anne R
5.0
Cynthia and Kelly did such an amazing job! I can not say enough great things. Myself and my bridesmaids all wanted more natural makeup and everyone’s turned out fabulous! Hair was ...
also amazing. They came prepared, we didn’t have to do anything and their chill but fun energy totally matched ours! Absolutely recommend!!
Chloe V
5.0
Heather and Victoria from Shade & Strand were absolutely amazing to work with! They made my special day so memorable for not only me, but my bridesmaids and family members as well....
I felt the most beautiful I’ve ever been, and they made me feel super comfortable. They’re both so fun and have great energy! I’ll be recommending them to all my friends who are getting married in the future. Loved them!
Allison S
5.0
Shade and Strand was absolutely amazing! Heather and Victoria made a terrific team. They were on a mission to get my party of 10 women completed in a timely fashion. They were both...
personable, efficient, and created beautiful hair and make-up! Everyone looked amazing afterwards and wedding photos turned out great!
Giselle D
5.0
Shade & Strand is an amazing team to work with. Heather was very accommodating with my hair & makeup trial. Kelly and Victoria worked on me and my moms, they were so efficient and ...
great with their styling. They helped bring my wedding to life. Thank you so much!!
Allison R
4.0
This team was great to work with. They were very nice and friendly. They are great at making sure that the timeline is smooth and no stress.
Dana L
5.0
I cannot say enough amazing things about Crystal, Victoria, and Cynthia! From my trial to the wedding day, the entire experience felt completely seamless and stress-free. They trul...
y listened to all of my notes and preferences during the trial and executed everything perfectly on the big day.
Not only are they incredibly talented, but they also created such a calming and fun atmosphere while getting ready. They paid attention to every detail and made sure everything looked flawless. I felt so beautiful, confident, and honestly like an absolute princess on my wedding day.
Their professionalism, kindness, and talent exceeded all of my expectations, and I am so grateful to have had them as part of such a special day. I would recommend Crystal, Victoria, and Cynthia to any bride looking for a hair and makeup team that will make you look and feel your absolute best! Five stars all the way!
Lauren M
5.0
Heather and Victoria were the best! They were super easy to work with and delivered exactly what everyone asked for. They brought great energy to the day and I would recommend both...
of them to anyone, especially those girls looking for top-quality hair and makeup at an affordable price.
Lauren S
5.0
Kelly and Victoria did an amazing job with my makeup and hair on my wedding day! Not only did they make me look wedding ready but they also did an incredible job on my bridesmaids ...
and my mother and husbands mom. They were also very prompt and efficient getting everyone done on time and picture ready. I can’t thank them enough for making me look beautiful on my special day 💗
Rachel C
5.0
Tiffany did a fantastic job on everyone’s makeup for my wedding! I wanted a really natural style and I absolutely loved the final look.
Erika G
5.0
My wedding coordinator had previously worked with Shade and Strand and highly recommended them, and I am so grateful she did! I was in a bit of a scramble to find a hair stylist af...
ter my first option fell through, and from the very beginning, Heather and Kelly made the entire process feel seamless and stress-free.
I met with Kelly for my trial, and she truly nailed my vision. She listened carefully, offered helpful guidance, and recreated exactly what I had imagined for my wedding day. On the day of the wedding, my Hollywood waves turned out absolutely stunning. I couldn’t have been happier with how my hair looked and felt.
Both Heather and Kelly were such a joy to work with. They were professional, kind, and made me feel completely comfortable and confident throughout the entire experience. I would highly recommend Shade and Strand to any bride looking for talented stylists who truly care about bringing your vision to life.
Nicole S
5.0
I worked with Shade and Strand for my wedding makeup in November 2025 in Rancho Santa Fe, and I highly recommend their services. Cynthia made the experience so easy and comfortable...
. During the trial, she gave me an option between two colors of eyeshadow, but either one would have looked amazing. I asked for the natural glam look, and she encouraged me to get heavier makeup to show up in photos. She talked about her technique and how to make sure the makeup would last all day. She took lots of photos so she remembered what she did during the trial. On the wedding day, she was on time and super professional. All she needed was a low table, as she brought her own chair. I purchased my own lip liner and lipstick for the wedding day, which made it easy for Cynthia to apply them directly and show me how to touch everything up. I would highly recommend Shade and Strand and specifically Cynthia to anyone looking for a makeup artist for their wedding.
Sarah C
5.0
Heather and Cynthia did hair and makeup for me, my bridesmaids, and mother and MIL for my wedding and they were fantastic! They kept us on schedule, were professional, listened to ...
our requests, and nailed all of our looks. On top of that, they were great energy and fun to be around. Definitely recommend booking!
Krista T
5.0
Victoria and Kelly absolutely crushed it! Not only did they make me feel the most beautiful on my wedding day, but they made the day super fun and enjoyable. They really know how t...
o create a warm and welcoming environment and they'll bring your vision to life. My wedding was on 10/25/25 and I'm still obsessing over my hair and makeup -- which was a low messy bun and a soft, yet bold smokey eye with a dark lip. Future brides, or anyone wanting to get their hair and makeup done professionally, Shade and Strand is the place to go!
Kathryn M
5.0
Great experience, professional and our whole party looked amazing. Lasted all day and even reception. Heather & Tiffany crushed it’s
Mary S
5.0
Kelly was amazing! She worked with our schedule and was able to get my bridesmaids hair and my hair done in just a few hours, and so many guests commented on our hair! I loved that...
Shade and strand worked with us in sending our someone to our house rather than making us come to them! On a wedding day, I highly recommend this company and Kelly if you want efficiency, professionalism, and a great hair do!
Sarah F
5.0
Heather, Tiffany, and Kelly are not only extremely talented but so nice and made the day more fun! They arrived on time got all of us ready and played music and chatted the whole t...
ime so the morning flew by. They lightened the mood with their humor and calm attitudes. One of my bridesmaids wanted to kind of make up what she did with her hair and they were so receptive and helped her hold mirrors until they got it exactly how she wanted. Huge thanks goes out to all of them!
Vic Toria F
5.0
Tiffany and Heather were amazing to work with! They are professional, fun, and incredibly talented. I looked exactly how I wanted to on my wedding day, which is to say—stunning!
W...
hen I went in for my first hair and makeup trial the atmosphere they created was amazing and the look they did for me was to a T what I asked for (soft glam look and an updo that can be taken down for reception). When I had second thoughts about my hair choice and reached out, Heather immediately squeezed me in for another trial and I walked away even more confident that I had made the right choice. Both in hair style and hairstylist.
On the day of, both ladies were punctual and worked seamlessly with everything my bridesmaids and family could throw at them. I’m not a morning person, but they added such a fun and positive energy to the morning it just carried on to the rest of the day and was the perfect start. If you get the chance, don’t hesitate to book with them. You’re not going to find a better hair and makeup artist.
Megan D
5.0
I loved working with Heather and Victoria to create the perfect wedding day look. Heather is a wizard with hair and even added some pearl Bobby pins to complete my look which was s...
uch an awesome surprise! Victoria was also very thoughtful with customizing my look and bridesmaid looks to be exactly what we wanted. They made the “getting ready part” of my wedding day so fun and personal. I can’t recommend them enough!
Marisa N
5.0
Crystal at Shade and Strand did such an amazing job for me and my bridesmaids. As someone who never wears makeup or gets her hair done very often, Crystal was incredibly profession...
al and supportive during our trial and helped me figure out the right style for me so I still looked like myself! She was on-time on the day of the wedding and all of the bridesmaids were raving about what a great job she did. Could not recommend more!
Shelby P
5.0
Heather was an absolute dream to work with for my wedding day! From the very beginning, she was responsive, professional, and genuinely excited to collaborate with me on my vision....
She really took the time to understand what I wanted and made thoughtful suggestions that made everything come together beautifully.
On the big day, she was calm, efficient, and so warm. She made me feel completely comfortable and cared for. Most importantly, she made me feel gorgeous. I couldn’t have asked for a better stylist to help me feel confident and radiant on such a special day.
Thank you, Heather, for being such a wonderful part of my wedding!
Rachael I
5.0
Crystal and Kelly were absolutely amazing! They did a great job on everyone! Everyone loved their hair and makeup! We had a lot of people to fit in and they did a wonderful job in ...
making sure everyone looked beautiful! I, as the bride went last and we did run out of time for Crystal (who did my trial hair and makeup) to do my hair so Kelly did it for me and she did just as amazing of a job as Crystal during the trial! Definitley recommend. And they were so sweet and accommodated us in moving locations during the process (from hotel to venue)! Definitley book them!
McKenna C
5.0
Heather and Tiffany were incredible, talented, and fun! Throughout the entire planning process, Heather communicated so well and efficiently. They both really listened to what me a...
nd my bridesmaids wanted done and executed to a tee. Also, they made the morning of so fun!! I would highly recommend this team to any bride. I couldn’t love how my hair and makeup turned out any more, and you know they really care about making it perfect!
Katherine Y
5.0
Thank you so much to Heather for creating a beautiful look for me for my wedding. I live in the Bay Area- I had done a trial with another salon earlier and was less than impressed,...
so I decided to take a chance with someone else. It was a real leap of faith to book her and I'm so glad I did. She was communicative and clear about her pricing, and offers her services at a great value. I came in with my bestie for hair and makeup and she instantly put us right at ease. I didn't even have an idea of how I wanted my hair but I showed her a picture of my dress and she crafted an elegant but breezy and sexy updo that matched the bayside setting and my backless dress. She hooked us up with refreshments and snacks too- critical for team bride on the big day. She is down-to-earthh, honest, and a general cool ass woman. I loved the bestie energy she had with her co-stylist Tiffany as well. It made the experience authentic and fun. She had the two of us in and out with beautiful hair and make up in around three hours - efficient but never rushed. If I'm ever down in San Diego for a formal event again, she's the only one I will go to! I got so many compliments and truly felt amazing. Thank you Heather!
Emily A
5.0
Heather made my wedding hair absolutely PERFECT! The style she did for me was even better than the Pinterest pictures I showed her for inspiration.
She is so warm, friendly, supp...
ortive, and funny. It really put me at ease, which is especially important because (as she pointed out!) hair/makeup stylists are the first vendors you see on wedding day, so her cheerful aura really set the tone!
I appreciated how fast and practiced Heather is. She’s got her whole setup with her, ready to go and then she flies through the work. It’s so impressive how quickly she can accomplish so much, and her years of experience really show in her efficiency.
Her bright smile and amazing talent really started my Big Day off right. I could not recommend her more highly!
10/10 wonderful woman!
Libby H
5.0
Tiffany and Kelly were both amazing!!! My hair and makeup turned out perfect and they were both so friendly and accommodating. I’ve had my hair and makeup done many times before, b...
ut this team has been the friendliest and easiest to work with. I definitely recommend!!!
Carly R
5.0
I loved working with Heather and Tiffany, I would use them again every time! They were super professional, very communicative throughout the entire process, and created a very fun ...
environment day of. I would recommend them every time for any event you have!
Malorie A
5.0
Tiffany and heather did an amazing job I had a large wedding party and they did everyone’s hair and makeup! Everyone looked stunning and my makeup lasted all day and night I felt l...
ike a princess on my wedding day and they brought the vibes with good music and their upbeat personalities I would recommend them to anyone who wants to feel and look beautiful because they will make it happen!
Jamie P
5.0
Heather was amazing and brought my pinterest dreams to life! From beginning to end she was easy to connect with, organized, and always on time! My trial and wedding day looks were ...
flawless and she created a style for my maid of honor on-the-fly that paired perfectly with her dress! Overall, we could not recommend her enough!
Lynn K
5.0
I had a hair and makeup trial with Heather about 3 months before my wedding. I felt so gorgeous, and my fiancé and I went out that night. The hair and makeup held up great, and eve...
n looked better as the night went on. Heather and I had such a fun time, and I knew she would be my artist for the big day. The day of the wedding, six of us had to get ready - myself, 3 bridesmaids, my mother, and mother-in-law. Heather brought her business partner Crystal, and the eight of us had the best time ever. We chatted, listened to music, and had a blast the whole day. Heather and Crystal were both so fun, down-to-earth, and really made it feel like you were talking to a bestie. Besides marrying the love of my life (obviously), the part that I was most excited about was getting ready with my girls. The Shade and Strand team gave us exactly the experience that I was looking for, and made all six of us look absolutely stunning. I asked Heather to be my new go-to hairstylist, and she happily agreed. I can’t wait to make my first appointment with her and watch her work her magic. I also know who to go to whenever I need my hair and makeup done for a special event. Shade and Strand can do natural, glam, and everywhere in between. Book them and you will not be disappointed! (More detailed photos to come once I get them back from the photographer)
Anna G
5.0
I cannot recommend Tiffany (makeup) and Kelly (hair) from Shade and Strand enough. They were a delight to work with; professional, talented, kind and accommodating. They made my ...
maid of honor and myself feel and look amazing on my big day. My hair and makeup looked beautiful throughout the night and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results!
Kristen J
5.0
I wanted to make sure I booked someone who could meet at the venue so it was one less errand to worry about the morning of. Heather was quick to respond and get me in with some of ...
her girls. Kelly and Victoria did hair and makeup for my wedding and it came out beautifully! I did a trial prior to the wedding and on the day of let them know I had some changes I wanted and they executed exactly what I wanted! Cannot express enough how happy I was with how it all came out. My hair was elegant and my makeup photographed wonderfully. Can’t express how happy I felt when I looked and saw the final look! Thank you ladies!
Chelledee F
5.0
Shade and Strand was an excellent company to work with. We had hired them for hair and makeup for our wedding on July 19. Heather and Cynthia arrived at 5am to immediately start wo...
rking on 7 individuals. Other than their tools for the morning they also came in with their own speaker to get the mood going. We shared some wonderful experiences with them alongside stories. They did an amazing job and would gladly work with them again in a heartbeat.
Jaclyn K
5.0
Shade and Strand were incredible to work with! Quick responses and ready for anything me and my gals asked of them. We had Brianna and Crystal who did an amazing job with both our ...
hair and make up.
I did a make up trial and it was great! It became even better when I brought eye shadow pallets in my wedding colors and they were subtly able to incorporate those into my look.
After getting all the girls hair and make up done they did a quick touch up for the first few girls who went to make sure everything still looked perfect!
I highly recommend Shade and Strand, especially Brianna and Crystal for your hair and make up needs! They made me feel like an absolute princess and gave me a timeless look for my picture perfect moments.
Daphnee Y
5.0
I got married May 2025 in Fallbrook and had Heather, Kelly, and Cynthia as our artists.
First of all, getting in touch with Heather to set up a trial was so easy. She is proactiv...
e and super accommodating. I wanted a team who was familiar with Asian features. My trial put me at ease because Heather was super flexible and was able to incorporate feedback seamlessly. She prioritized comfort while offering her professional opinion, and encouraged me to show her how I like to do my own makeup because "You know what looks good on you and no one knows your face better than you do." She was also super open to the requests I made to tweak the bridal look weeks-months after the initial trial.
Fast-forward to the day-of, her and her team were on time and worked with our large bridal party (me + 8 bridesmaids + MOB + MOG) and finished all of us with some time to spare. Each artist was friendly and patient, and each of my girls, the moms, and I were super happy with our hair and make-up. Fallbrook had a heatwave that day and our make-up didn't budge in 90+ degree weather. I would highly recommend Heather and her team no only for their amazing skill but also their great attitudes and customer service!
Leena S
5.0
Fantastic job! We loved our hair and makeup! Heather did a great job with us girls that had curly, textured hair and making us girl with thin straight hair look fuller. Victoria di...
d a beautiful job on makeup for multiple skin tones and undertones. Very much recommend!!
Ben S
5.0
Kelly and Victoria worked on my girls and me for my wedding. They arrived on time and set up quick. They were super sweet and professional. We had a great time hanging out with the...
m while they fixed us up. Kelly did amazing braid work for me. Victoria did my makeup perfectly. I cried so much that day and my makeup lived through it all. Also, Heather helped me set everything up. She was really good customer service and ultimately was the reason I chose this company. Thank you! I will come back when i need some beauty services.
Amanda Z
5.0
Heather and Tiffany were nothing but INCREDIBLE! I feel so blessed that they got to be a part of my big day, I have never felt more beautiful!! Heather was incredibly communicative...
and accommodating, when my hairstylist canceled last minute (literally DAYS before my wedding) she stepped in and did a cut and color for me, in addition to doing my hair for my wedding. When my original (family member) make up artist fell through, Tiffany stepped up to the job, and I’m so glad because she is TALENTED! They both far exceeded my expectations and made me feel like a real life princess! Their energy is so fun and contagious. One of the best decisions I made for my wedding was booking them 💕 Thank you so so much Heather and Tiffany, forever grateful for you both!!
Hannah O
5.0
Heather and Tiffany were an amazing team to work with for hair and makeup for our recent San Diego wedding—they were excited to work on my ideas and vision and provide their expert...
ise to ensure I and our wedding party looked and felt our best. Coordinating trials with them was easy, helped me feel confident for the wedding day, and was the perfect way to decide which versions of the look I wanted would be best. On the day of, they were so supportive of everyone in the wedding party and helped keep our morning getting ready stress-free with their experience and efficiency. Everyone was so happy with the results, the final hairstyle and makeup came together perfectly with my dress and held up to our photography and the full event duration, and I treasure the photos we have!
Haylee T
5.0
Heather did an absolutely amazing job for my wedding hair and makeup. We did a trial to perfect my look ahead of time and she absolutely hit it out of the park. She not only made m...
y hair and makeup perfect for my big day but my nerves were at ease. She even last minute incorporated a necklace my mom brought for “something blue” into my hair, and jumped in the help her apply her lashes. Heather was a pleasure to work with and I couldn’t recommend her enough!
Service area & Contact info
San Diego, Orange, And Los Angeles County
Typically included in the starting cost
Travel area: Within 100 miles
Additional charges may apply
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Shade and Strand
Heather Raco
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Hair and Make Up Artist
Typically responds within 24h
Wedding vendors in San Diego
Shade and Strand
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