217 Beauty

217 Beauty is a makeup and hair team based in New Jersey and New York, operating as 217 Beauty LLC. Its office is on the second floor at 25 N Fullerton Ave in Montclair, but the team mostly works on location, traveling to clients and to venues of their choosing. The name comes from a number Liz Gizelle used to sign off pager messages, which spells LIZ when flipped, and it also nods to a MAC blending brush numbered 217 and Red Cherry #217 lashes she liked.

The signature makeup is HD Airbrush, applied with an airbrush gun instead of a brush so no brush touches the skin. It can be worn matte or slightly dewy, in a sheer or fully opaque coverage, and the business says it can last up to 18 hours. The team tests foundations before using them and keeps only those that stay on all day, do not feel heavy and photograph well. Traditional makeup is also offered in a range of textures, finishes and looks.

Makeup trials are offered for both HD Airbrush and Traditional makeup at the same rate, and clients can split a trial so half the face is done in each. For the bride, fake lashes are complimentary at the trial and on the wedding day. Hair services include special occasion design with a hair trial, which the business strongly recommends for brides, along with updos and bridal hair styling. Individual lashes and lash strips are offered in styles from barely noticeable to full and exotic, with individual lashes lasting about 10 days. Hair extensions are 100% human hair, and clients can cut, dye, highlight and wash them; color matching and ordering happen at an in-office visit, and the client keeps the extensions. Extensions are available for bridesmaids as well as brides.

Bridal touch-ups include a VIP option where an artist stays with the bridal party through the day, billed hourly. Touch-ups are open to anyone in the bridal party. The team also does on-set hair and makeup for television, photo shoots and film, priced by day rate on request. Weddings are the most common job, with bridal showers, birthdays and photo shoots also booked. Event dates are held first come, first served, and a trial can temporarily hold a date.

The business describes its makeup artists and hair stylists as top of the line, and says its hair stylists each have over 10 years of experience with a focus on wedding and photo shoot hair. It says it only employs artists working at the same skill level as the owner, even when their styles differ. WeddingWire recognized the business as a Couples' Choice Awards winner in 2014 and 2015 and a Bride's Choice Awards winner in 2013, according to press releases from those years; WeddingWire says these awards are based solely on reviews from past clients.

The team travels with all the beauty supplies it needs, so a client can start the day without a salon visit. The business says every artist works at the same skill level as the owner, even when their styles differ.