OUR
story
Hello Lovely is the top rated hair and makeup team in Kansas and Missouri
Hello Lovely owner, Ashley Backs bridal hair and makeup education
Hello Lovely is the top rated hair and makeup team in Kansas and Missouri
Owner/Artist
I don't know that I can nail down one favorite thing about Hello Lovely.
- Being able to work with incredible brides and see their absolute joy when they see themselves.
- Building the best team in the midwest, filled with incredible talent, kind hearts, dedication and commitment.
- Educating other artists and helping grow their makeup artistry skills, hair styling techniques, or business accomplishments.
Celebrating our team and creating beautiful art with people has been a true gift and will forever be one of the most incredible gifts I have ever been able to experience.
I wake up every day thankful for every bride and artist that has trusted me to help bring their vision to life.
train
with Ashley
dream
THE
TEAM
The Love Story
Humble Beginings
In 2012, I graduated from cosmetology school and started working in the salon as a hairdresser for Beauty Brands. A well known KC original (now national chain) salon company.
Beauty Brands had a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders and I jumped at the chance to get out from behind the chair and do something creative with the craft. Quickly joining the team that did hair and makeup for the poster, calendar, and game days.
I didn't know it when working Mati's wedding, we were pregnant with our sweet baby Beau.
While working at Beauty Brands I made life long friends with some of the stylists. One in particular asked if I would do makeup for her wedding day. Hanna Lee was the first bride to put her trust in me to create a look that would last forever. I was super nervous but was always a thrive under pressure kind of girl.
After seeing a picture of me working on Hanna's wedding day, Mati reached out 2 weeks before her wedding day to ask for help! Mati and I were friends in middle school. While college and distance separated us for several years, the reunion was planed from the beginning. Shortly after Mati's wedding I quit Beauty Brands to start freelancing as a makeup and hair artist in and around Kansas City.
The first version of the business was Beauty By Ashley Backs.
I freelanced and worked alone mostly assisting other artists and taking single brides or small wedding parties.
My mom Jennifer was a great sounding board for ideas and business suggestions. Having had her own wedding business for over 20 yrs.
My mom helped me come up with the first logo and design a website.
That's Mati!
The demand grew quickly with the help of another local artist who was willing to give business tips, recommendations, and referrals to Ashley (thank you Mikayla❤️)
The need for a team or another artist started to get more intense once I found out that our first baby was due in February 2014.
While working a wedding that was a referral from Mati (remember that one from earlier) I saw Mati doing some of the hair and makeup for a few little girls. Conversations quickly got underway of how to add Mati as the first official member of the team.
After training with me for over a year Mati was made the first lead artist. Shortly there after, the rebrand to Hello Lovely came with the understanding that I was no longer a lone wolf. This team was on fire and wanted to spread some LOVE!
Beau was born Feb 14,2014. My forever valentine
Soon our family grew again and we added Mr. Bruce Howard. Growing a family and a business at the same time was honestly a lot of fun. I have the workaholic gene. So long nights, pushing through and lots of red bull powered those first years.
My incredible husband had a stable job at Quiktrip and allowed me to take business risks that helped quickly grow our team, salon locations and studio space! It was incredible how fast it all grew. God was blessing our family, team and marriage beyond what we could have ever dreamt.
Growth
Time to grow! I am locked in and ready to get to work. But I am working so much that I never have time to spend with my friends. So I start recruiting them to come and work with me and I train them to help with things like curling or cleaning brushes.
Enter Natalie Hall! She was a friend of a friend (who was tired of curling Lol) and Natalie was super curious about Hello Lovely, makeup, hair and all things girly. She is always there for better or worse and will walk through fire for the ones she loves. Natalie has worked for me the longest of any other artist 10 years now.
At this point we are experiencing explosive growth, recognition and reputation
Sue Royer
Event Coordinator for 7 years. Best friend for over 20 years now.
At this point everything is going nuts. I can't keep up no matter how hard I try. So while having lunch with my best friend, I offer to let her work from home, start her family, and spend more time together. It took her almost a year to take me up on it. But I will be forever grateful that she did.
Hello Lovely would not have been able to accomplish the incredible things that we did without this amazing woman. I hope someday she will read this and know how much she is loved.
Event Coordinator for Hello Lovely hair and makeup.
The best hair and makeup team in kansas city
Booking hair and makeup for clients all over the midwest
Event Coordinator for Hello Lovely hair and makeup.
Natalie Hall
Hair & Makeup Artist
My favorite part of working for Hello Lovely is - "making people feel their best and most beautiful - and the team that I get to work with 💕"
We had been recognized from the beginning, but awards started to pile up. By the time I am writing this, we have been voted Kansas City's best hair and makeup company 10 years in a row across 3 platforms. It was incredible.
Empty spots because it became to much to keep updating
At the time these pictures were taken, we were celebrating our 10 year anniversary as a company. We had grown to have 20 artists on our team at any given time. Taking on over 500 weddings in 1 year. This little thing that I started on the side, had grown into a million dollar company only by the grace of God.
Going to the second EVER Wed KC gala
Obviously our life completely changed at this point. I am still working, taking weddings growing our team and haven't even hit the peak of what we would grow to.
But God had already started working on our hearts without us really realizing it. We were craving something slower.
We had moved out to get away. But really we started getting closer. As a family, in our marriage, and most importantly to our Creator.
And then....
2020 happens. Enough said.
The wonderful husband and I decide that we want out. Out of town, out of the house we just bought 6 months earlier, out of the schools that aren't doing great for my little boys, and out of our HOA!
Sooo.... we sell it all and buy some space of our own. We move our little family to the country and live in a camper while we build our family home.
Homeschooling Beau and Bruce in the camper
Berries from our patch in the garden
Bruce finds a true passion for all our animals
Homeschool, puppies, and dairy cows!
One day there was a realization that my camera roll had more photos of my work than my life. I started taking steps back from working in the business and as my kids got older they needed me more.
Knowing that I will never get this time with them EVER again really put a weight on it.
So I started taking less weddings, artists started working with other teams or booking their own weddings, and I was able to be present. Sue had a second baby and decided to be a mom full time.
And that gets us to now.
If you have made it this far I am clapping for you!!! Stick around for 1 more blurb...it's a good one.
Bruce Started his own honey business. Beau does woodworking!
We have loved our story so much, been so amazed by what God has done in our hearts, that my sweet husband decided we needed more
So...our next adventure begins with trying for more babies...
More Love
All of this is to say, that Hello Lovely is still here. This season looks different than those in the past. It started small, grew beyond my wildest dreams, and continues to provide a way to bless our family and those of the brides who choose us.
I pray that you would see my love story and that your marriage would be FILLED to the brim, overflowing with love, laughter and dedication. Every day I am with my husband I fall more in love with him. I pray that for every bride I touch. Marriage is such a gift. Children are a gift. Time is a gift.
I am thankful beyond measure that beautiful women still choose me to help them feel confident and radiant on their wedding day.
Hair & Makeup Artist
Bekah Zitron
Bekah was previously a middle school art teacher. Her eye for color and ability to be the calm in the storm make wedding day artistry a perfect fit for her!
My favorite part of working for Hello Lovely is - "Growing as an artist and all the training that we do in the studio to learn and grow as a team."
Makeup Artist
Jordan Dankenbring
Jordan has been a freelance artist for over 10 years. Working with TwoFaced, MAC, and other name brands. She travels the country bringing glam to everyone she can!
My favorite part of working for Hello Lovely is - "The energy we all bring to our work. Everyone loves what they do!"
A few of our artists
Hair Stylist
Tamara Lee
Tamara has been awarded (literally) our Hair Wizard. Her ability to create intricate and lasting styles in under 30 minutes is captivating.
My favorite part of working for Hello Lovely is - "working with the team!"
Hair & Makeup Artist
Braylee Davis
Braylee is a hard worker and loves making clients feel amazing. She works in the salon blending blondes as well as on weddings.
My favorite part of working for Hello Lovely is - "Learning new skills and working with such wonderful people!"