Hello and welcome to my Cape Cod wedding photographer’s blog!
Today, I am proud to feature two elite artists working in the Massachusetts wedding industry: Maricruz Polito, a premier bridal hairstylist, and Garineh Ashjian, the visionary founder of Glamour Cosmetics. We have worked together at many high-end weddings, and I have always been impressed by their technical skill and calming presence. To help future brides navigate the complexities of the beauty industry, I asked them several key questions about wedding hair and makeup in Cape Cod, Boston, and beyond.
Maricruz Polito — Luxury Bridal Hair Designer
1. Tell me about yourself and your philosophy.
Maricruz Hairstyles is 100% dedicated to bridal styling. As a boutique business, we offer personalized service with exceptional quality. We serve a diverse range of brides, and our portfolio covers everything from Classic and Vintage to Modern and Bohemian styles.
2. What is most important when choosing a hair artist?
Every bride has different priorities—quality, personality, reliability, or experience. For me, the most important thing is a combination of work quality and personality. You must love your look, but because your beauty team is the first group of vendors you see on your wedding day, having a professional with a calming presence makes a world of difference.
3. Is a hair trial truly necessary?
Absolutely. A trial run is the best way to see our work firsthand and ensure we are a good fit. It allows the client to explore styles on themselves rather than just in photos, which builds confidence for the walk down the aisle. It saves time on the wedding day and brings peace of mind to the entire booking process.
4. How large is your team and what is your capacity?
I personally like to service each bride myself. My team currently has three members: a Lead Bridal Hairstylist, a Bridal Hairstylist, and a reserve stylist for emergencies. We cap our services at 14 people for a single event to ensure the highest quality.
5. How do you achieve a long-lasting hairstyle?
Once the hairdo is finished, try not to touch it. Let the hair settle naturally. Constant touching creates flyaways and disrupts the intended shape, which impacts how well the style lasts through movement and weather.
6. What is a “must-have” for the bride during the day?
The only “must” is to have fun! The hairstyle should be designed to last all day without constant retouches. A bride should enjoy her style and not worry about carrying a brush or hairspray.
7. How should a bride choose her style?
The bride always has the final word, but as professionals, it is our job to offer guidance. I ask brides to provide inspiration photos as a starting point. From there, we offer advice to achieve a custom look that fits their comfort zone and taste.
8. Do you travel to Cape Cod and the Islands?
Yes, we travel nationally and internationally. We frequently service Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Travel fees apply for locations more than one hour from our Waltham studio, though Boston and adjacent cities like Cambridge do not incur fees.
9. How does photography affect the hairstyle?
I am very careful about the shape of the style so that it looks optimal from every angle the photographer might capture. Volume is key; hair translates differently on camera, so it needs enough volume to be interesting without looking exaggerated.
10. Any additional tips for brides?
Always be honest with your vendors. If you aren’t happy with a small detail, mention it! A true professional will appreciate the feedback and fix it immediately. Also, listen to your vendors’ advice on timing so you can stay present and enjoy the day.
Garineh Ashjian — Glamour Cosmetics Makeup Artistry
1. Tell me about the Glamour Cosmetics manifesto.
Glamour Cosmetics is one of Boston’s leading makeup artistry businesses, serving over 100 weddings a year. We’ve earned the Wedding Wire Couples’ Choice Award and The Knot’s Best of Weddings. Our mission is to see that gorgeous smile when a client looks in the mirror and feels their most confident and beautiful.
2. What should a bride look for in an MUA?
It is vital to find an artist who makes you feel comfortable and who is versatile. Whether you want soft and minimal or bold and vibrant, your artist should be able to listen to your desires and bring positive energy to the bridal suite.
3. Is a makeup trial necessary?
Yes. A trial allows the artist to understand the bride’s vision and skin type. We need to see how products react with your skin tone and texture before the big day to ensure a perfect match. It’s also the best way to ensure the bride and artist are a good fit personality-wise.
4. How large is your team?
We can accommodate any size wedding! The number of artists we assign depends on the headcount and the “ready-by” time. Our largest party was 16 people, for which we provided three makeup artists.
5. How do you ensure makeup lasts all night?
Our professional application techniques and high-quality products ensure the look lasts through sweat, tears, and hours of dancing. It is my responsibility to make sure the bride looks as good at 2 am as she did at 2 pm.
6. What should a bride carry with her?
Honestly, my duty is to ensure the bride doesn’t have to worry about her makeup at all. She should be able to focus entirely on enjoying her day.
7. How do you help a bride choose her look?
Wedding makeup is personal—it’s how a bride defines her own beauty. While inspiration photos are helpful, I view it as my responsibility to guide the bride to a look she will love on her own face, not just on a model in a photo.
8. Do you work on Cape Cod and the Islands?
Glamour Cosmetics serves all of New England and is available for international travel. We work frequently in Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, RI, and Maine. Boston services are complimentary, and travel fees apply for further distances.
9. Does makeup look different on camera?
I always tell my clients that wedding makeup is a “sweet spot” between looking flawless in person and reflecting well on camera. Professional MUAs know how to adjust for the style of photography and lighting to ensure the bride never looks washed out or overdone.
10. What is your final piece of advice?
Our work goes beyond just makeup. We are there for you in all aspects of your wedding day. Whether it’s reminding you to take a hair elastic off your wrist before photos, sewing a bridesmaid into a broken dress, or holding your grandmother’s hand down the stairs—we are your second pair of eyes and hands. We just also happen to be experts at makeup!
Thank you for reading! I hope this insight from the top stylists in Massachusetts helps you as you plan your celebration. Finding the right beauty team is just as important as finding the right photographer to capture the results.
Your Cape Cod wedding and family photographer — Alex Gordias.
Contact Information:
Maricruz Polito — Bridal Hair Designer
681 Main St Suite 3-24, Waltham, MA 02451
Phone: (617) 938-7523
Instagram: @maricruzhairstyles
Garineh Ashjian — Glamour Cosmetics Makeup Artistry
10 Muzzey Street, Lexington, MA
Phone: (617) 852-9824
Instagram: @GlamourCosmeticsOfficial
