A HAIR and makeup bridal artist based in Basingstoke has been named as a finalist in wedding industry awards. 

Rowenna Ayling has been selected as a finalist at the UK Weddings and Honeymoons Awards for her ‘romantic and fresh’ makeup and hair artistry at her business, Makeup by Rowenna.

The awards ceremony, which will take place on Thursday, February 29 at Kew Gardens, will see industry suppliers crowned in 21 categories at a gala event.

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Basingstoke Gazette: Rowenna Ayling

Rowenna said: “I feel overwhelmed, it’s a massive goal of mine to become nominated, it’s amazing. I feel inspired by everyone else in the category, it hasn’t quite sunk in yet, and I don’t think it will until I am actually there.”

The 34-year-old set up her business in 2022 after more than a decade in the makeup industry as she wanted a job she could juggle around her daughter.

She continued: “I wanted a business that can work around my family, and obviously my little one. It’s something I’ve always been inspired to want to build up to, I’ve always dabbled in doing bridal makeup on the side.”

Rowenna moved to Basingstoke 12 years ago to live with her husband, before graduating from the Academy of Freelance Makeup (AOFM) in 2012 and working with brands including Lancôme, YSL and Urban Decay.

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“My goal as a makeup artist isn’t to make the bride look like a completely different person, it is to make them feel confident by enhancing their natural beauty so that they can be the best version of themselves on their wedding day," she added.

As one of three finalists in the bridal hair and makeup category, Rowenna’s work will be judged by a panel of industry experts from UK Weddings and Honeymoons magazine, which is hosting the inaugural event.

To see more of Rowenna's work visit makeupbyrowenna.co.uk.