Entertainment

Entrepreneur to use #HERPitch grant to expand into mobile makeup beauty bar

10To say weddings are stressful is an understatement. With so many people, and so many things to do, members of the wedding party can easily get stressed. From the venue to the dresses, everything should be perfect.

As a makeup artist, Kristen Brabble helps fulfill a vision many people have on their perfect wedding day.

“I love making people feel like themselves, the best version of them,” Brabble told Up & Coming Weekly.

“I love being a part of those really intimate days. These are days where it's just your closest family and friends, and you really get to watch these really special moments. You know, words being said, heirlooms being passed down, gifts being given. And it's just really beautiful to watch someone going through this big milestone and they have so many more milestones ahead of them. And it's just the beginning. It's really beautiful.”

For her, makeup is not just a superficial thing. Makeup is a superpower that can boost confidence and make people feel beautiful.
Based out of Raleigh, Brabble owns her own business, Hello Pretty. She often works in and around Fayetteville for weddings and events. She started her aesthetics career in 2007, and became a full-time bridal makeup artist in 2013.

However, since the pandemic, the wedding industry has changed. Wedding parties are a lot more intimate, and wedding venues don’t allow a large number of guests to enter their properties at one time. That includes makeup artists.

“Usually, people get ready at the wedding venue. That's just kind of always traditionally been what you do. You get ready at the wedding venue. We used to be able to get into the wedding venues at 8 in the morning, and now it's more like between 11 and 1. So it's cut down on time to get everybody ready drastically,” Brabble said.

Some venues even placed the makeup artists in a small trailer that had no air conditioning and was often unbalanced. The space was small and crowded, leaving everyone feeling uncomfortable.
This inspired her to come up with her own mobile makeup and beauty bar.

“That way, everybody can arrive, and everybody can stay on-site the day of the wedding to get ready. So I would like to take a camper and outfit it to be really cute and fun and something that can fit a bridal party so that everyone can be together and do their hair and makeup the day of the wedding in a nice, timely manner.” 10a

While Brabble doesn’t have a design drawn out, she does have a vision of what she wants inside this renovated camper. When you walk in, there will be a long U-shaped bench and a long table where people can gather, sit, talk and eat. On the right, she wants two chairs in front of mirrors, which will be perfect for makeup and hair. The kitchen will remain in the camper, so people can have food and drinks while they get ready for their big days. The room in the back of the camper will be redone to have an extra makeup/styling chair as well as an area for photos and selfies.

“Everyone wants a good photo moment. So there will be a space in there for photographic moments,” Brabble said.

Overall, the camper will have cute and fun wallpaper, be colorful and just be exciting. But this camper won’t be used just for weddings or special events. Brabble says this camper will be used to start mobile makeup lessons.

“I get a lot of inquiries about lessons. So in having this mobile beauty bar, it's also going to help me expand greatly on another portion of what I do, and that's the lessons,” Brabble said.
Brabble recently presented her idea as a part of #HERPitch. Out of a dozen business owners, Brabble was one of the four winners who received a grant for $2,500 from CEED Capital and the Women of Power Society of NC.

Brabble hopes to launch her mobile makeup beauty bar in six months. She is both excited and nervous, but she can’t imagine this launch not happening.

“It's definitely one of those things that I think about all day. It's like one of those things that I can't imagine it not happening, if that makes sense. It's like tunnel vision for me at this point and that came through at the end of the tunnel.”

For more information about Brabble and her company, Hello Pretty, visit www.helloprettyyou.com.

FTCC invites public to free performances of ‘Steel Magnolias’

FTCC Steel Magnolias3 Fayetteville Technical Community College's Fine Arts Department will present a six-show run of "Steel Magnolias" over two weekends, starting Friday, March 31.

The comedy-drama by Robert Harling is about the bonds between six women in a southern town.
The FTCC production will be held in Cumberland Hall Auditorium at 2215 Hull Road on the College's Fayetteville campus. All performances are free and open to the public.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday, March 31; 2 p.m. Saturday, April 1; 7 p.m. Saturday, April 1; 7 p.m. on Friday, April 7; 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 8; and 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 8.

"Steel Magnolias" is being presented through a special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service in New York.

 

Photos courtesy Fayetteville Technical Community College

Combat Veteran Association presents Memorial Ride and Dedication Event

15a If you or someone you know is into decked-out motorcycles, memorable entertainment, and good vibes, then you don’t want to miss the Annual Memorial Ride and Dedication Event at the Crown Complex presented by North Carolina Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association 15-1.

The Association consists of members from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who ride motorcycles as a hobby. Their mission is to support those who have defended our country and our freedoms.

Members of the NC Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association focus on helping veteran care facilities provide a warm meal, clothing, shelter and guidance, or simply saying “Thank You” and “Welcome Home.”

The Memorial Ride and Dedication Event is a three day event starting on April 7 and ending on April 9. Tickets range from $10-$45.50.

On the first day of the event, there will be a social from 5 to 9 p.m. following the Marksmen hockey game. On the 8th, there will be an all-day event with a dedication ride (all vehicles welcome to attend) and a small memorial service, Pro Wrestling Matches, and more. Guests can expect to dig in on tasty local food and drinks. There will be a live band, a gift raffle, and a firearms raffle.

On Sunday, the NC Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association will have breakfast, a small worship service, vendors, a bike/vehicle blessing, and, of course, a visit with the Easter Bunny for pictures and egg hunts.

To purchase tickets, visit http://memorialdedication2023.cvma15-1.net/index.php.

The Easter Bunny is visiting Cross Creek Mall

15b The Easter Bunny has arrived at his Bunny Garden inside Cross Creek Mall. He's dressed in his springtime best and ready to visit with children of all ages.

Visits with the Bunny are always free. Photo packages are available to choose from should you want a picture to celebrate the season.

Bunny visitors will also receive a fun coloring sheet perfect for decorating your fridge.

To make it even more memorable, Cross Creek Mall will host fun weekly garden parties on Wednesday evenings from 4 to 7 p.m. On March 29 wand April 5, visitors can get photos taken with the Easter Bunny, enjoy free face painting, free balloon creations, and meet and greet with some of the Easter Bunny's friends, like Tinkerbell and her fairy friends.

On April 3, family pets are invited to join Pet Photo Night. From pups to feline friends and everyone in between, the Bunny welcomes all. All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier.
The Bunny Garden is located inside the Food Court and is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Sundays from noon until 6 p.m. Extended hours will be offered on Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8. Please note that Cross Creek Mall will be closed on Easter Sunday.

For more information, visit https://www.crosscreekmall.com/store/easter_bunnys_garden.

Plan for an eggceptional Easter egg hunt

14Easter is steeped in both religious and secular traditions. Each year on Easter Sunday, many families feast on ham or lamb. Hot cross buns may be served as morning treats. And faithful Christians may dress up in their Sunday best to attend religious services.

Easter egg hunts are another time-honored component of this festive occasion. According to History.com, the Easter bunny and his eggs may initially have been derived from stories about an egg-laying hare introduced to Americans by German settlers during the 1700s. Children would make nests and the hare would leave behind colored eggs.

Children often relish in the idea of scouring their homes and yards in search of brightly-hued plastic or hard-boiled eggs. A little planning on the part of Easter egg hunt organizers can make this festive tradition even more fun.

Set the date: If Easter egg hunts are more than just family affairs and involve neighborhood searches or hunts with a close knit group of friends, it may be smart to schedule in the days before Easter. This helps ensure that a good crowd will be available. Hunts on Easter itself may not get as many participants because celebrants could be at church or celebrating privately.

Gather supplies early. Easter decorations and plastic eggs sell out rather quickly, so it’s wise to stock up on items as soon as they reach store shelves. If you’ll be using real eggs, consider boiling and coloring the eggs in the days before the egg hunt so you won’t feel a time crunch. Simply store the dyed eggs in the refrigerator until ready for use. Color around six to 12 eggs per participant.

Designate a search area. Aim for a relatively private spot for the egg hunt. A park may seem like a good idea, but people who were not included in the egg count could wander in. If you use a public space, rope off an area where the eggs will be hidden. In addition, have a backup plan if the weather will not cooperate. School gymnasiums, libraries or church recreational centers are some potential indoor options.

Have pails at the ready. Some children will forget to bring a basket. Therefore, have extra, inexpensive pails or buckets on hand. Sturdy gift bags also work in a pinch.

Keep ages in mind when hiding eggs. Avoid choosing hiding spots that can be dangerous or prove too difficult for kids to find the eggs. Prior to hiding eggs, count how many you have, which will help to ensure all eggs were actually collected later on. Next, identify hiding spots that will work for various ages. For example, toddlers will need conspicuous spots and older children more challenging nooks and crannies. A map of where every egg is hidden can help as well. Real eggs may not matter outdoors since wildlife could simply dine on any undiscovered eggs. However, plastic eggs are not good for the environment and every attempt should be made to collect them all.

Send children out in stages. Let the youngest kids go first, and then group each search team by ascending age. This helps make sure the older kids won’t simply snatch up the more easily found eggs.

Reward with prizes. Be sure each child has some sort of takeaway prize. However, it’s fine to reward the best egg hunter with a more substantial prize.

Gather and celebrate. Encourage guests to bring a small dish to contribute. After the hunt, everyone can gather to enjoy some refreshments.

Latest Articles

  • ‘Ballad of Green Beret’ composer’s guitar on display at ASOM
  • A2Z run to benefit March of Dimes, local NICU
  • Arts Council receives Youth Growth Stock Trust grant to support Artists in Schools initiative
  • Board approves Crown Event Center concept design
  • Cassandra knows best ... maybe
  • Coyote sightings increase as pup season begins
Up & Coming Weekly Calendar
  

Advertise Your Event:

 

Login/Subscribe