Who we are | IVORY STATE Hair and Makeup

Hello, and welcome

Established in 2018 by Mandy Marsh + Jess Akers, IVORY STATE is one of the leading hair and makeup bridal specialists in the Hunter Valley and NSW.

Based in the Hunter Valley, NSW, we service wine country and surrounds, either from our boutique studio space or on-location.

Alongside Mandy and Jess is their elite handpicked team of skilled and highly experienced makeup artists and hair stylists. The goal is to work with you, the bride, to turn your hair + makeup of your dreams into reality.

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Nice to meet you

Co-Founders and Directors, Mandy Marsh + Jess Akers

Director + Co-Founder

MANDY MARSH

Mandy is a professional makeup artist and qualified trainer with 23+ years of experience in the industry.

Based in Sydney for 10+ years, Mandy was International Color Stylist for DIOR, Head Makeup Artist for The Wiggles and worked at Estée Lauder Companies Inc. head office.

Mandy relocated to the Hunter Valley 11+ years ago, and worked as a qualified trainer with the Newcastle Makeup Academy, before co-founding Ivory State in 2018.

Mandy lives and breathes Ivory State and is passionate about all things makeup.

Director + Co-Founder

JESS AKERS

Jess is a professional hairdresser with 17+ years of experience in the industry.

Early in her career, Jess received extensive training in upstyling for both bridal and special events. This experience is invaluable, and there is quite literally no style that Jess cannot design and create.

In addition to Ivory State where she indulges her passion for bridal and upstyling, Jess runs boutique salon, JALush Hair Design.

Our team

Makeup Artist + Hair Stylist

EMMA

With 9+ years of experience, Emma is a professional makeup artist, qualified hairdresser, and bridal and upstyle specialist

Hair Stylist

RHEE

With 16+ years of experience, Rhee is a qualified hairdresser, our resident curl queen, and a bridal and upstyle specialist

Hair Stylist

BREE

With 14+ years of experience, Bree is a qualified hairdresser, and bridal and upstyle specialist

Makeup Artist

AMANDA

With 10+ years of experience, Amanda is a professional makeup artist and bridal specialist

Makeup Artist + Hair Stylist

ASHLEY

With 30+ years of experience in TV and film, Ashley is a professional makeup artist, hair stylist and bridal specialist

Makeup Artist

ILONA

With 10+ years of experience, Ilona is a professional makeup artist and bridal specialist

Makeup Artist + hair Stylist

SHERRI

With 15+ years of experience in TV and film, Sherri is a professional makeup artist, hair stylist, and bridal and upstyle specialist

Makeup Artist

GENEVIEVE

With 8+ years of experience, Genevieve is a professional makeup artist and bridal specialist

Why you'll love us

Established in 2018, we are an experienced team of hair stylists and makeup artists servicing the Hunter Valley, Newcastle, North Coast and Central Coast.

We are effortlessly mobile and come on location for all bridal bookings. We also have an exclusive studio located in the Main Street of Cessnock.

We service the Hunter Valley, Newcastle, North Coast and Central Coast.

Bridal + upstyle specialists

Qualified hair stylists +

professional makeup artists

Mobile + in-studio

Exceptional service + communication

Personalised expert advice

Exclusive high quality products

ABIA Accredited 2019/20/21/22/23/24

ABIA Hair Stylist Finalist 2019/21/23/24

ABIA Hair Stylist Top Three in NSW 2022

ABIA Makeup Artist Finalist 2019/21/22/23

2ND PLACE ABIA MAKEUP ARTIST IN NSW 2024
FINALIST (4TH) ABIA HAIR STYLIST IN NSW 2024