WINTER INSPIRATION

January 9, 2017 Samantha Ray

Sources:

reindeer / bob / braid

kiera / bouquet / topknot

bob / cheeks / winterscape

Photo courtesy of Olivia Wolf for Nancy Ray Photography

Welcome! My name is Samantha Ray, and I am the creator, dreamer, and lead stylist behind LULA Hair & Makeup. I love all things beauty. I see it everywhere I go, and in everyone I meet.

INSTAGRAM

Throwin it back to this beauty from ✌🏻t w o✌🏻 years ago! ✨ I’m going to be doing some fun recap blogs, reliving all the good times, hard times, & funny times in business. Did you know I used to do this on the side while in college, then while working customer service at a medical software company? I felt like I was floating on air when I put my notice in. “What’s next?” they asked. Oh ya know, just some hair and makeup? 👀🤷🏼‍♀️😂 and it’s been LULA ever since! Couldn’t do it without y’all. More stories to come! . . Makeup/Hair: @lulahairmakeup Vision: @beinspiredpr @lacosabellaevents Photography: @limacaroline Model: @jessiboseman

It’s Friday! Gonna jump in with #fridayintroductions today! My name is Sam and my business is named after my grandmother, Lula. When I officially created my business 6 years ago, I wanted a name that would remind me what I know to be true about beauty, what I saw in Lula. I believe true beauty is in the intangible qualities of a woman’s spirit - her strength, her joy, her hope and belief, her courage and kindness (not just southern-etiquette-kindness but deep, gritty, I-love-you-not-for-what-you-do-or-don’t-do kindness!) . I am a Raleigh native and feel most at home under a shade of pines and oaks, either in a rocking chair or in the woods 🌿🌳 . My husband @heyjohnray and I are celebrating 6 years of being married 🙌🏻 We have a few adventures under our belts 🌍(jobs, living in Africa and Israel and with both sides of our families, business ventures, and putting roots back in Raleigh), a kitty named Goldie 🐱, a church family we love, and a pretty deep love for eastern NC BBQ (#samandjohnsbbqtour) . Along with hair and makeup, I also enjoy writing ✍️ (poetry & creative non-fiction), making music 🎶 , going to the farmers market 👩🏼‍🌾, planning gatherings with friends and family 💕, dreaming and making goals 📝(I love the @powersheets from @cultivatewhatmatters!), winning at Settlers of Catan🤓, BBC and PBS, and laughing big like Julia Roberts. Basically I’m training to be the best grandma ever! . I’m going to be looking back over the last 5 🖐🏻 years of LULA and posting some highlights soon! I’m so thankful for you and your love and support in this little dream job of mine! ❤️ . . So nice to meet you! For more about me, check out my website and journal (link in muh bio!), my personal insta @heysamantharay, and my stories! This here is an image I’ll cherish for a long time, captured by @ginazeidler of me and @emilyley of @simplified 💕 go check out the new @simplifiedplanner cover designs - I highly recommend these planners whether you’re a SAHM, a student, or a business lady! Have a great weekend beauties!

On March 14th, something happened in NC that has never happened before! I, with the help of many other amazing women, created a round table for as many North Carolina on-site hair stylists and makeup artists to gather together. I wanted to create a safe space for us to meet one another in person, cheer each other on, get to the heart of why we do what we do and what we each bring to the table individually as artists, & to talk about our industry and how it can become stronger, better, & more unified. It was just a glimpse of what is to come! Check out the full recap post in the LULA Journal!! The link is in my bio 👆🏻#TEAMBEAUTY #HAMUA2018 (Thank you @brent.d_lvs for capturing so many beautiful images of the event!) #communityovercompetition