Bringing retro glamour to the 21st century is arguably Amanda Moorhouse’s raison d’etre. The London-based retro hair and make-up artist extraordinaire – and favourite of Planet Sputnik – is helping feed the mainstream’s hunger for all things vintage by giving thousands of women a taste of classic Hollywood style through her makeover business Lipstick & Curls.
Amanda Moorhouse has used her love of vintage hair and beauty styles to create a highly successful business. Pic: Elke Bock
Amanda knows that many thoroughly modern women look longingly at the glamorous styles of eras gone by and wonder how they can recreate those looks today – and she has the perfect answer: Lipstick & Curls specialises in vintage hair and beauty makeovers for the lady in the street. Aided by her team of fully-trained stylists, Ms Moorhouse has given thousands of women the chance to shine in true retro fashion, be it in the style of a 1920s’ flapper, 1950s’ Hollywood starlet or 1960s’ hippy chick.
Pics: Suelan; Tony Nylons; Suelan; Tony Nylons
Pic: Elke Bock
Having studied at the London College of Fashion and then worked as a freelance hair and make-up artist for 12 years, vintage-loving Amanda was inspired to start her London-based business in 2009. “My love of the past had always influenced my work, and my involvement in the fashion and music industries gave me a platform to be creative. I just wanted to help make the world a more glamorous place,” she says. “Vintage was undergoing a huge revival, and as I lived in the capital I was right in the thick of the underground explosion. That gave me the incentive to set up Lipstick & Curls.”
Pics: Nick Clements; Karl Taylor; Levi Dexter
What started out as a sideline for Amanda – who had just become a mother – rapidly evolved into a full-time business. “We’ve been very lucky,” she explains. “The brand has had a fantastic reception, and we’re always working with new people to develop it. Now the team is larger than ever and we’re constantly tweaking our image to keep it current and fresh. I’ve gained great insight into running a business, as well as marketing, press and product knowledge. The fashion industry is very competitive, which makes me work harder to stay on top.”
Amanda understands the major role digital and social media plays in running a business today. Pic: Elke Bock
While the theme is vintage, Amanda embraces the digital age: her company is bang up-to-date in its marketing methods and she understands that social media such as Facebook and Twitter is utterly invaluable. Lipstick & Curls advertises through numerous channels, and with pop-up pamper parlours, bespoke beauty workshops, a vintage bridal service and a corporate events team, it has successfully diversified its brand applications.
The Lipstick & Curls girls are ready to give you your retro glamour makeover.
Pic: Elke Bock
Amanda works closely with the media, and regularly blogs, too: this gives her the opportunity to channel her thoughts and research, plus share her latest passions and discoveries. “It keeps things fresh for me as I’m always researching new styles,” she smiles. “We’ll soon be opening a Lipstick & Curls online shop, with plenty of exciting product brands. Watch this space!”
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