When Tiffanny Micek spun her client around to face the mirror, the reaction was immediate. “Oh my God, that’s me! I look so good!” her client said, tearing up at her reflection. Moments like these define Micek’s work. Rather than transforming clients into brand-new people, she’s helping them see the best version of themselves.
Based at the Sparrow & Blade salon in suburban Woodridge, makeup artist and hairstylist Micek has spent 26 years creating personalized looks for clients. Through consultations, communication and a focus on realism, especially with AI taking over, her goal is to enhance what makes each person unique rather than apply a one-size-fits-all approach.
“Every person has their own unique look,” she said, “and my job is to enhance those features.”
Instead of using the same style for every client, she focuses on showcasing what makes them feel confident.
Chicago-based makeup artist Fernanda Hanny, who specializes in skin, eyes, lips and eyebrows, echoes Micek’s mission, with her own goal to tailor a look to each person.
“It’s the most important thing as an artist,” she said, noting that seeing a client’s natural beauty is the first step of the work.
With AI and heavily edited photos of hairstyles becoming the norm for clients in search of a new look, setting realistic expectations has never been more important. Micek reviews inspiration pictures with clients, acknowledging what is altered, then guiding them toward looks that suit natural features.
In general, social media filters smooth skin, enhance features and promote looks that aren’t attainable, which creates unrealistic beauty standards. In the industry, experienced hairstylists and makeup artists tend to use trends as a guide, not a rule.
“A beginner makeup artist would follow trends,” Hanny said. “An experienced makeup artist would use trends to personalize looks for clients.”
This perspective matches Micek’s focus on individuality rather than blindly following trends.
“I believe everyone is beautiful in their own way,” she said. “We’re all different, and I’d rather celebrate individuality.”
Even when a client comes in with a clear vision, it’s sometimes necessary to gently steer them away from an unsuitable look. Micek recalled a bridesmaid who requested a very dated, 1980s-style look. “I kept trying to direct her to do a little bit more of a modern look,” Micek said. Although she applied what the client wanted, the bridesmaid later asked for changes after seeing more modern looks.
After Micek received her cosmetology license from Technology Center of DuPage in 1999, she continued her training as a hair educator for Bed Head and then took advanced classes at the Chicago Makeup Show with artists like Danessa Myricks and Orlando Santiago.
Although she’s based in the Chicago suburbs, she occasionally works in the city, mainly creating looks for brides and bridesmaids, as well as students getting ready for their school prom or homecoming. Being a hairstylist and makeup artist allows her to ensure every look is cohesive.
“I always want clients to feel like the best version of themselves and to have confidence in the way they look,” Micek said.