Elana started her career in 1980 at Neiman Marcus training with all of the elite cosmetic brands: Chanel, Lancme, Estee Lauder & Clinique. While at Neiman's she was offered a position at Marilyn Miglin Model Makeup. This position was an extraordinary learning experience, it inspired her to further her education in theatrical & television makeup.
Which led her to positions with CNN and the Chicago Lyric Opera House. Next, she was married & had her beautiful babies which encouraged her to start her own business in her favorite area of expertise; freelance bridal makeup artistry. While promoting her own freelance, she also had the honor to work for MAC Cosmetics & as a key artist at a hair salon.
Which led her to positions with CNN and the Chicago Lyric Opera House. Next, she was married & had her beautiful babies which encouraged her to start her own business in her favorite area of expertise; freelance bridal makeup artistry. While promoting her own freelance, she also had the honor to work for MAC Cosmetics & as a key artist at a hair salon.
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Growing up and going with my mom and watching her enhance the beauty of so many lovely ladies for their wedding, inspired me to be a part of the industry from a young age. I graduated from the technology center of DuPage's Cosmetology School in 2017 and have been a part of the network since. Whether it is a Boho braided look or Hollywood waves, I can not wait to help create the look you have in mind.
Wedding hair styling has been my passion for 20 years. In the many years I have worked as a senior stylist in an upscale salon, I have gained valuable experience with all textures & lengths of hair. I'm really drawn to the beautiful composition of a perfectly presented wedding party. Together we will make the happiest day of your life, the most beautiful day of your life as well.
I have been a part of the beauty industry for over 15 years, one of my first and continued passions is the love of bridal hairstyling and creating beautiful and unique formal hair. Traveling to New York, Las Vegas, Lake Geneva, and various Chicagoland locations, I believe continuing education is the key to staying at the top of the industry.
Being a hairstylist for over 20 years, I have seen trends come and go. However, what remains the same is the joy that surrounds a special occasion, such as a wedding. It is an honor to be part of these happy moments, so I strive to give my clients a style that makes them look & feel their best. I truly love what I do and I am dedicated to making your happiness a priority.
I have been a makeup artist for ten years. I have worked for Lancome, Dior, and MAC Cosmetics, where I was also an instructor. I sort of fell into my craft those years ago but my passion for makeup and artistry is undeniable. I love what I do. My goal is to empower my clients and bridal beauty is my specialty.
Reviews (10)
Liz DeJulius
Oct 01, 2021
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I'm SO happy I chose Elana and her team for my wedding hair and makeup; I booked a hair and make up trial for engagement pictures, hair and makeup for rehearsal dinner and wedding day. Each time was perfect. Elana is incredibly responsive with emails and is thoughtful and helpful with scheduling services that matched exactly what I wanted, even when I was being indecisive. Vesna's makeup skills are topnotch (I looked like myself which was important to me), and she is a friendly, kind human (exactly what you want on wedding day!). Athina did a killer job each time she did my hair. She made adjustments
Nancy Drew
Sep 25, 2021
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Right from the start Elana made me feel like family. She was so warm, friendly, and kind. I instantly felt at ease with her. Elana was also so kind to my mom who was nervous about having her hair and makeup done. Elana listened to what my mom wanted and worked with my mom to get a look she was happy with. I have never felt so beautiful as I did on my wedding day and it was all due to Elana and Athina. All four stylists who came and worked with my bridal party were funny, engaging, and fantastic at their jobs. All of them are artists! LOVED everything about my time with Elana and her girls
Natalie Agliato
Sep 19, 2021
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I hired Elana Darrus for my wedding September 2021. From start to finish, it was a great experience. Elana was very responsive with emails when I initially reached out, as well as throughout the months leading up to the wedding. Something unique about Elana Darrus is that that a deposit is not required until after your makeup trial, which I feel makes more sense than before the trial. This allows the customer to ensure a good fit before booking a vendor for their wedding. This policy made me feel that this company is not just focused on money, but also on the customer and staff experience.
For
For
Melissa Ferris
Jun 25, 2021
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Working with Elana was wonderful. She was able to connect me with an amazing stylist and makeup artist. Elana made this process seamless. She, as well as the artist and stylist were extremely responsive and accommodating. I worked with Vesna (makeup) and Athena (hair) the day of my wedding and they were amazing. Very knowledgeable, talented, understood what I was looking for even though I didn’t have a super clear vision, and very accommodating. They were on time the day of my wedding and stayed to ensure myself and the bridesmaids were all set before photos. Myself and my bridesmaids said at
Samantha Pincenti
Apr 17, 2021
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Elana and her team were perfect. Elana kept in contact with me the entire planning process and was always easy to get ahold of. She made the process so smooth and easy that I almost forgot I was planning a wedding because there was no stress at all with her.
Her team though are the real heros. Everyone LOVED their hair and makeup and that’s not always possible with a bigger bridal party. Her team listened to each and everyone and worked with the girls to make sure their hair and makeup was exactly what they wanted.
I couldn’t of asked for a better group to work with on my wedding day. Thank
Her team though are the real heros. Everyone LOVED their hair and makeup and that’s not always possible with a bigger bridal party. Her team listened to each and everyone and worked with the girls to make sure their hair and makeup was exactly what they wanted.
I couldn’t of asked for a better group to work with on my wedding day. Thank
Lizzie Clay
Dec 28, 2020
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Elana and her team are simply the best! I am so grateful that a friend recommended them to me for my wedding. Elana was amazing to work with- so responsive, helpful, and flexible- couldn't have been better! I had Athina (hair) and Jessica (makeup) for myself, my bridesmaids, mom, and MIL. Everyone looked absolutely beautiful and they were so happy with how it all turned out. It was the most relaxing, stress-free getting ready experience. I can't recommend them enough!! Thank you Elana, Athina, and Jessica!
Nicole Byerley
Nov 26, 2020
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I had the privilege to have these three lovely ladies help myself and my wedding party get ready on my special day. Stephanie, Vesna, and Athina. Truthfully, I could not have picked a better company to help us all get dolled.
Elana coordinated everything and was extremely organized and friendly. I made about a thousand changes (because more and more people ended up wanted to get their hair and makeup done because they all saw my trial pictures) and Elana easily added more people onto the list to get their hair and makeup done.
The schedule was perfectly planned out allowing us to have a nice
Elana coordinated everything and was extremely organized and friendly. I made about a thousand changes (because more and more people ended up wanted to get their hair and makeup done because they all saw my trial pictures) and Elana easily added more people onto the list to get their hair and makeup done.
The schedule was perfectly planned out allowing us to have a nice
Emily Rizzo
Jul 07, 2020
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At the last minute, I needed to find a hair stylist and makeup artist as my original hair/makeup person was exposed to COVID. My friend, who had worked with Elana and her team previously, highly recommended them. I was in a pinch as I was less than one week away from my wedding date, so I took a leap and booked Elana and didn't even do a trial! I sent Elana inspiration photos of the look I wanted to achieve and she was able to secure Athina for hair and Jessica for make up. Elana also reassured me that her team was taking COVID precautions and following safety guidelines. The day of the wedding
Azn Lilly
Jun 12, 2019
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Highly recommend! Their hair and makeup team is very professional and everything was perfect from start to finish! Plus, Elana and her team were able to come back and do some touch ups for me and the bridesmaid before the ceremony since we did the photo shoot beforehand. My hair and makeup stayed in place the the entire 15 hour day I had! Even during my photo shoot when we were all posing in the blazing heatwave we had that day!
Ashley Hamm Photography
Sep 28, 2018
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Looking for a hair and makeup artist when you're getting married can be a difficult experience! A few months ago I saw my friends hair and makeup in her wedding photos and I immediately fell in love with Elana's work. Elana and I had been emailing back and forth and today we had my hair makeup trial. My experience was just awesome!!! First, Elana's home studio is gorgeous. The space is clean, professional and very welcoming. Elana's team is just fantastic and the hair artist she brought in did an amazing job with my hair. I had a look I found online and she did a great job re-creating the look
