UP CLOSE: With Chloe Ewer of Macclesfield's Cheshire Makeup Company
Macclesfield Nub News was established on principles of supporting our community.
This involves promoting Macclesfield shops, schools, businesses, clubs, charities and more. Now and then, we profile some of these companies and organisations in a regular feature called UP CLOSE, finding out they key people behind the organisation and what makes them tick.
Recent editions include the head of a Macclesfield brewery, a business which recently celebrated their 60th birthday, and the Headteacher of a high-achieving rural school.
Cheshire Makeup Co, of Waterside Mill, Waterside, Macclesfield is an independent business with a high-end approach doing make up for events.
Founder Chloe Ewer began working in the wedding makeup industry just before the turbulent times of the pandemic.
Her business really started to ramp up in 2021, so much so that the self-employed makeup artist expanded her skills into hair and now has a team of 4 other hair and makeup artists.
This culminated in a regional award victory last year, as a recognition of her high quality of service.
Macclesfield Nub News met with Founder Chloe Ewer to find out more.
"My main focus is makeup, but I branched into hair last year," said Chloe.
"I do makeup and hair for occasions, weddings and also offer makeup lessons for people wanting to learn how to do their own, and for other makeup artists wanting to up their skills.
"I have a team of two hair stylists on my bridal team, and two other make-up artists as well. So there's five of us together."
Chloe detailed the origins of the Cheshire Makeup Co.
"I did beauty in college, but worked a few different jobs, until in 2018 I did a makeup course in Liverpool," she recalled.
"I worked part-time for Boots on the Lancome [makeup] counter, whilst doing freelance makeup on the weekends.
"I started off Cheshire Makeup Co, doing mobile and then I worked in a couple of different salons in town.
"2021 was a turning point in my career, as everyone wanted to get married after lockdowns. And there was a backlog of couples waiting to get married.
"I did over 80 weddings that year. [So multiple weddings a week, including weekdays]. And continue to do the same since then.
For me, as a small business in the wedding industry, it was a great time to go self-employed. Everything has had a knock-on effect since then.
"Then I moved into Waterside in October 2022."
Chloe's business won an English Make Up Award in 2023, in the Bridal Make Up Specialist of the Year category.
New for 2024, is a luxury service called 'Cheshire Makeup Co. after hours', where Chloe and her team stay after the ceremony right up until the first dance, to be on hand for the Bridal Parties hair and makeup touch ups.
You can also book a trial before the big day, and get to know Chloe, at her studio in Macclesfield. Makeup Trial runs costs £75 and last 90 minutes, and helps put minds at ease.
"My favourite parts of the job are meeting the brides, getting to travel and networking with suppliers" added Chloe.
"I am really passionate about what I do. You can tell through the way I work and what I offer brides. It is a full luxury service and I always go above and beyond at every wedding. I always stay right up until the Bride is ready to walk down the aisle. I love getting to see them in their beautiful dresses.
"I also offer discovery calls to discuss the Brides look before the trial, and a Whatsapp service for the Bridal party, so if the bridesmaids want to discuss their hair and makeup in a group chat, we can do that.
"They can also come down to do trials. I also send every Bride a beauty guidebook which covers everything they need to know about skincare, haircare, tips for the wedding morning and so much more."
"I love 'love', I am a romantic, and love seeing everyone so happy.
"My strongpoint I feel is that I understand people, and can read people really well. Brides always comment on my calming manner.
"My tagline is 'You bring the canvas, we bring the art'. It is all about empowering people to choose what they want. I ask everyone so many questions throughout the makeup process. And I'll ask them to bring photos to their trial. I am guiding them and doing what I think is right, but really I let them kind of guide me as well so they can feel, and look like themselves."
She can cater for anyone in the bridal party, of all genders. Furthermore, Cheshire Makeup Company can do flower girls with parental consent.
Chloe estimates that 80% of her products are high-end luxury products such as Hourglass, Nars and Charlotte Tilbury, and the other 20% are drugstore products that are essential in any makeup artists toolkit.
Cheshire Makeup Co. also offers a cruelty-free kit if requested. Chloe is also diligent on checking for allergies, offering a thorough service all-around.
Chloe is also qualified to teach other makeup artists, she also runs one-to-one lessons for anyone to learn how to do their own makeup, which are very popular.
"I would just like to say a massive thank you and how grateful I am," Chloe also said.
"This was like a dream, five years ago I never thought I'd be in this position."
When asked about her advise to other independent businesses owners in Macclesfield, Chloe had this to say:
"I would say you have got to have passion and drive", revealed Chloe.
"Being self-employed and running a small business is not for the faint of heart. I have never worked so much in my life!"
"Every day I am working for my business.
"And my advice to makeup artists specifically would be to practice everyday, say yes to every opportunity in the beginning, and make friends in the industry, I see it as a community, I always say community over competition. Make friends and network. Other artists will become your friends and your lifeline.
"I said 'Yes' to every opportunity when I first started, I always fitted in new clients and got up and went out to find the work. 'Can you do my makeup at 6am tomorrow morning?' 'Yes'. That is how you grow."
And going above-and-beyond is reflected also on her social media, with Chloe recently posting in a heartfelt thank you post on the Cheshire Makeup Co. Facebook page 'I'm constantly trying to level-up my services and what I can offer to my brides.'
"I think Macclesfield is a really nice area to live and work," concluded Chloe.
"We are very close to Manchester and the countryside. And there are some really lovely wedding venues surrounding us. [Always useful for a wedding professional.]"
Click HERE to follow the Macclesfield business on Facebook and HERE to follow them on Instagram, and browse their portfolio of work.
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