Q&A with Tricia Spry, Owner of Blush by T
Tricia shares her passion for beauty and mentoring, helping clients feel confident inside and out.
By Taylor Shillam
North Idaho makeup artist Tricia Spry uses her expertise to showcase her clients’ beauty, inside and out. Tricia has spent five years honing her skills and building her makeup artistry business as Blush by T. She provides services that help her clients feel beautiful for any occasion, while giving back to her industry by educating fellow makeup artists. Beauty has always been Tricia’s passion, and with Blush by T, she can use that passion to make important occasions feel extra special for those in her community.
Q. Please share a bit about your professional background and experience as a makeup artist.
A. I have been in the wedding industry for five years now; before that, I had always loved makeup, hair, and anything related to beauty. I would spend hours watching other artists, learning different techniques, and performing makeup trends on myself. I would always help friends and family members get ready for their special events, dates, proms, and anything else they needed to feel beautiful. Although I haven’t kept an official count, I’d estimate I’ve provided my services for nearly 150 weddings.
Q. Please share a bit about the services provided by Blush by T.
A. Blush by T offers professional makeup services for any occasion, along with styled hair in beachy curls with braids, one-on-one or group makeup lessons, “Mommy and Me” makeup lessons, and even hair curling lessons. I am extremely passionate about educating and mentoring individuals entering the beauty industry, as well as helping established makeup artists elevate their existing craft and expand their social media presence.
Q. How did Blush by T come to be, and how has the business grown since it started?
A. Five years ago, my younger sister asked me to do her hair and makeup for her wedding; that’s when I realized my true passion for bridal makeup. That moment lit a fire in me, and from then on, l focused all my time, energy, and money into Blush by T with the idea that failure was not an option. I worked my first weddings for free, with the help of my supportive family and friends, and just about anyone willing to sit in my chair. I spent countless hours posting photos in every wedding forum I could on Facebook, and marketed myself as a Bridal Makeup Artist on Instagram. The news traveled fast and my little career began to blossom. What started as me taking and booking every opportunity to grow my brand at Blush By T has evolved into becoming a published and highly sought-after makeup artist, who is now booking occasions years in advance.
Q. Can you describe a “day in the life” for you as a business owner?
A. A typical wedding day with Blush by T starts early, with a wake-up call between 2:45 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Not only do I have to make sure my bridal parties look absolutely perfect, but I also have to make sure I arrive looking the part! Because weddings are such important events, and I travel to my bridal parties on the wedding day, I double- and triple-check my kit to ensure I have everything I need before leaving.
I arrive about 30 minutes before the first member of the bridal party is expected to be in my chair. I find out where the best natural lighting is and rearrange furniture if needed, creating a setup that ensures my workflow for the day is perfect.
Each beautiful woman in my chair receives a 5-minute consultation, then a one-hour session with me, so we can design and execute a look they love and feel comfortable wearing all day. After the first bridesmaid’s look is complete, I start breaking down my station, sanitizing and cleaning, then creating the bridal party’s touch-up kit. This process repeats for several hours until the bride arrives in my chair. Everything we used for her bridal preview will be set up, and we’ll go over any changes that need to be made to achieve her dream bridal makeup! My schedule is designed to ensure the bride’s hair and makeup are completely finished before the photographer and videographer arrive.
When the entire bridal party’s hair and makeup are complete, the bride and I get to do "getting ready” photos, which I absolutely love! It's so special. Often, my bridal parties will then take some fun photos in their cute robes or pajamas. That’s typically my time to pack up and make a silent exit —after getting lots of hugs from all the beautiful girls! After a wedding day, I usually go home to spend the remaining part of my day with my little family and rest up.
Q. What is most rewarding to you about the work you do? How does it feel to play a major part in such special moments for your clients?
A. I love the absolute pleasure I see on my clients’ faces when they truly feel beautiful. It’s as if they see themselves in a different light for the first time. I love watching all the pressures of a big event melt away as they glow with confidence, knowing that they genuinely feel beautiful on that day.
Q. What is your vision for your business moving forward? What’s next for Blush by T?
A. As Blush by T continues to grow, my vision includes expanding my portfolio and providing valuable education for both past and future clients, as well as local and aspiring artists. I’m excited to see how my business evolves as I continue to meet my clients’ needs and collaborate with makeup artists in the community.
Q. What do you enjoy most about being a part of the local community/business community?
A. I love the camaraderie of receiving support from fellow business owners in the area. I’ve truly enjoyed all of the lasting relationships I’ve built and the support I’ve received across the community.
Q. What advice would you give to aspiring Makeup Artists or business owners?
A. My advice is to go for it! Place the fear of failure at the back of your mind, and just do it. Find every available tool or resource and study. Network with other vendors and maintain a presence on social media platforms. Identify reputable artists you admire, and find out if they offer a mentorship program. Receiving guidance from people who can point you in the right direction and genuinely want to see you succeed will be paramount to your success.
You won’t have everything figured out in the first few years, and you may have clients or experiences who make you feel like you aren’t meant to do this — but you have to view the difficult moments as lessons, and stick to your dream. You never know what amazing opportunities lie ahead!
Q. What message do you want to leave with our readers about makeup and its role in beauty?
A. I want to convey that makeup doesn’t make you beautiful; it simply gives you the little bit of extra confidence that may be needed to let the beauty inside you shine through. Makeup is simply a tool and should enhance what you already have. It should be fun to wear and exciting to learn, but the beauty begins within.
Blush by T
208.770.9931
@blushbyt_
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