Maricruz Hairstyles Has a Personal Touch
“The business will always be a personal boutique service.”
Photo courtesy of Meredith Jane Photography
This month we had a wonderful conversation with Maricruz of Maricruz Hairstyles.
A veteran of the Boston hairstyling scene and a member of NACE and the Boston Wedding Group, Maricruz talks about her journey of starting her own business, what you can expect from a consultation, and the latest bridal hair trends.
How did you get started with weddings and events?
I started working on Newbury St as a full service hair stylist back in 2001. Back then, the majority of brides would go to the salon for their hair. It wasn’t very common for stylists to go out to the hotel or venue.
Working on Newbury St was a great experience. I was the only one there on Sundays so I needed to be trained on everything. I needed to be good at cuts, color, and bridal hair just in case someone walked in.
I slowly realized that I didn’t really like cuts or color and my great passion was for bridal styling. Eventually people came to know me for these hair styles and I began getting clients through word of mouth.
Photo courtesy of AnnMarie Swift Photography
In 2015 I finally decided to break away from salon work completely and start my own business. I opened up my little studio in Boston and that small space grew. Then, when instagram came along it gave me a huge push. It was easier for brides to see my work and everything just snowballed from there.
I think people underestimate the power of social media and instagram. Before, you had to literally knock on doors to get clients or it was all word of mouth. Now, people can come to you!
What were some challenges you faced when starting your business?
One of the challenges back then was trying to figure out correct pricing for travel fees. At that point there still weren’t many stylists going on site so you had to figure it all out. People weren’t very happy about the fees or why it was harder for me to bring myself to the hotel rather than have them in the studio with all of my supplies.
You also have to consider logistical things like parking. Back then, a lot of the now popular venues were brand new and no one knew their way around. I sound like I’m an ancient person, but I remember when the Commonwealth Hotel was built. Everything was so beautiful but it was a new experience for all vendors and we weren’t sure how to price.
Photo courtesy of AnnMarie Swift Photography
Nowadays, it’s understood that there are travel fees and accommodations are needed if it’s an overnight stay.
I also feel that when you’re new, there’s a natural learning curve. You need to learn how to speak to the client and how to trouble shoot.
“Like, right now I would suggest a bride wear a pony, while maybe 5-10 years ago that would have been crazy. ”
what are your favorite things to do hair wise?
My forte is updos for sure, but the majority of my weddings hire me for the down dos.
Would you say down dos are the trend right now?
Yes, I would say right now about 50-60% of brides want their hair down. I feel like brides are a little more relaxed now. Especially with all the micro weddings and young brides not wanting to feel too mature. It’s all about balance.
Think about these days when you have a night out; maybe you wear an amazing dress with sneakers. Or super high heels with jeans and a t-shirt. It’s the same thing with bridal trends. You’re in this beautiful gown but you wear your hair down in loose waves. Or if you have a boho style with long lace sleeves you go with a little twist.
The trends have changed too so you always have to keep up with what’s happening. Like, right now I would suggest a bride wear a pony, while maybe 5-10 years ago that would have been crazy. Barrettes and accessories are big too now. This is because the majority of brides and bridesmaids are wearing their hair down and the accessories help make things feel special.
So how does a consultation work? What can people expect?
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth LaDuca
Photo courtesy of Jessa Schifilliti
Since my schedule changes constantly, whenever a bride wants a trial they give me a call we put them on the schedule. We have 1.5-2 hours to work with a bride where we go through different looks. The number depends on the intricacy of the style. For example, Hollywood waves look so simple when you see them but in technique they are time consuming. If you wanted those you may get one or two hairstyles during your trial. Sometimes if you want to try all simple styles we can try 4 or 5!
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth LaDuca
Photo courtesy of Meredith Jane Photography
When I do a trial I try to put myself in the shoes of the bride. I ask them for a picture of their dress as some dresses call for certain hairstyles. I like to see the neckline and the back. Right now there are so many sexy backs on wedding dresses they call for a certain type of hair - but at the end of the day it’s all about what the bride feels more comfortable in. So we feel it out at the consultation. I ask to see photos that they’ve found on social media of what they’re envisioning and I can give my opinion if I have some suggestions. We feel it out and have fun.
“ I just decided that I’m not going to wait for anyone to invite me or have an idea so I can participate”
Who do you look up to in the industry?
I follow so many stylists online and on instagram. I send people to Aphrodite Salon in Maine and I love a salon in Conneticut called Upstyle and Co. I also follow several Australian master hair stylists and I was supposed to go to Russia to take a class this year (unfortunately it was canceled due to COVID).
Photo courtesy of Perla Images
As far as local friends, in Boston there are so many wonderful stylists that I’m close to. My Big Hair Day and Damiche Beauty are always there when I need advice or when I’m stuck on something. We share secrets and it’s always good to know you can refer someone if you can’t take the client. The way I see it, there are so many brides in New England, and I only take one bride a day so I can’t possibly take them all! Why not send someone to another stylist who will make them really happy?
Do you have any current or new projects coming out that you’d like to talk about?
For the first time in all the years I’ve been working, I am organizing my very own photo shoot where I just decided that I’m not going to wait for anyone to invite me or have an idea so I can participate. It’s a very simple shoot with only a handful of vendors. It’s going to fine art inspired and very different than a classical bridal photoshoot.
“I want brides to know that smaller weddings are just as satisfying and memorable as large weddings”
I want the vendors to be the main focus of the shoot. We’re featuring florals by Floristika, makeup, and of course hair.
With this project I’m getting to see a fraction of how much work a wedding planner puts into an event. It’s a lot!
(editor’s note: Maricruz’s shoot was back in November of 2020 and can be found on her website)
StephanieVegliantePhotography
StephanieVegliantePhotography
What does the future of Maricruz Hairstyles look like?
As far as the business goes, I am thinking of hiring maybe one more person to help but my goal was never to have a group of people working for me. I couldn’t send them away to brides and say that it’s my work. I just wanted to create my own job and work for myself. The business will always be a personal boutique service.
What would you like to say to new brides?
I want brides to know that smaller weddings are just as satisfying and memorable as large weddings. The amount you would have spent feeding 200-300 people can be put towards more intricate and special details. Back when I first began it wasn’t unheard of to have a 30 person wedding. Now it is abnormal, but I love those smaller weddings.
We’re a music blog so we have to ask…
What do you sing in the car?
I could have anything from salsa to tango to jazz to world music depending on my mood.
What do you listen to on a lazy Sunday morning?
I’m an absolute jazz person, I love Louis Armstrong.
What makes you get up and dance?
If I hear Frank Sinatra at wedding.
THANK YOU for sitting down to talk with us Maricruz! We can’t wait to make something beautiful happen with you real soon. If you’d like to keep up with Maricruz check her out here
MaricruzHairstyles | Instagram | Facebook
Read our Couple Spotlight with Krysta and Will to see Maricruz’s work at a real wedding!
If you are a vendor and would like to be featured please email booking@speechlessmusic.com
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