READING TIME: 2 min 42 sec
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/25/2026
UPDATED: 03/04/2026
Step into the studio of Abby Lauren Makeup and Hair, and you’ll find more than brushes and palettes—you’ll find warmth, intuition, and twenty years of experience turning beauty into empowerment. Based in New York City’s Upper West Side and traveling across New York, Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut, Abby brings a personal philosophy to bridal beauty that’s been shaped since childhood.
“My grandmother introduced me to makeup at 2 years old—I was hooked!” Abby recalls. p>
She would buy me Lord and Taylor gift sets around the holidays, and Kevyn Aucoin books which I would sit in my room and recreate the looks on myself from.
It wasn’t long before makeup became more than a fascination—it became her calling. “I went to college for about two weeks, hated it, and went to my grandmother crying about how I’d stopped going to class for over a month,” she shares. “My grandmother was a sculptor so she called my parents and told them, ‘Abby will be fine. She’s going to drop out of college and go to makeup school.’ Thank heavens for her! Twenty years later, here I am.”
Abby’s passion has always been about more than just how someone looks—it’s about how they feel. “I love making people feel good about themselves and beautiful on one of the biggest days of their lives,” she explains.
Her signature? Natural makeup that emphasizes what’s already there. “We specialize in natural makeup and there’s nothing more beautiful than emphasizing the client’s natural beauty.” Abby is driven by the idea that beauty should feel effortless, personalized, and never forced.
This mindset is why brides instantly feel at ease with her team. “We work around our client’s comfort level. If the client isn’t comfortable, it’s a no-go,” she says.
While trends come and go, Abby’s inspiration remains deeply connected to what feels right for each bride. “I have noticed a lot of celebs leaning more towards natural makeup for their weddings and sometimes we receive those sort of inspo photos,” she shares.
Her process for indecisive brides is intuitive and reassuring. “Usually I’ll start with a less-is-more approach and then we will slowly add on, depending on the client’s comfort level.”
And her favorite trend at the moment? “Perfected, glowy skin is my obsession!” she says with a smile.
Although Abby often serves as the familiar face on wedding mornings, she’s backed by a dynamic team of 15 incredible makeup artists and hair stylists. Together, they’ve styled countless bridal parties across the tri-state area.
Preparation begins before sunrise. “I’m usually waking up pretty early around 5/6am to get ready, have coffee, breathe, and prepare for the day,” she shares. “We arrive and set up, and follow our hair and makeup schedule.”
Behind the beauty is a detailed system, from skincare prep to touch-up kits. “Using the right products for longevity, prepping the skin accordingly and BLEND,” she emphasizes.
For Abby, being a bridal makeup artist is about trust. “Choose an artist whose work you not only love, but who you’d want to hang out with on one of the biggest days of your life,” she advises.
She values the connections she forms with her clients. “I love the special bond that forms with all of my brides, it really is a beautiful thing!”
And when it comes to clear communication? “You will not offend us if you’re uncomfortable with something,” she says reassuringly.
Communication is key when it comes to working with hair and makeup artists.
You don’t have to search far to see Abby’s artistry in action. Her Instagram feed @abbylaurenmakeup is a gallery of glowing brides, radiant bridal parties, and effortlessly styled hair and makeup looks.
“We offer hair services, skin prep is included in makeup services and we do provide touchup kits,” she shares. It’s this all-encompassing attention to detail that makes each bride’s experience seamless from the first brushstroke to the last dance.
