Brittany Reed Hair Artist

Proof that sometimes you just need a good cut and a gloss to revive your hair!

I was so happy to see this client on my schedule; she always has the best energy about her, which always brightens my day, and I thoroughly enjoy our conversations. Time gets away from me and I hadn’t realized how long it had been since I last saw her; she had a baby in that time! Now she’s (I think?) 7 months postpartum. We talked about all of the hair changes she’s been dealing with and how she had lost her curl. She had decided that she was ready to say goodbye to some of her length and get some more layers in there. Like most new moms, she was ready to feel like herself! In addition to that, this will be a lot easier for her to deal with and she can still easily put it all up and out of reach of baby! It was such a treat to have this time with her and be able to help make her life as a new mom a little bit easier.

The ‘Before’ photo

Today marked the end of an era for me, professionally - but it also marked the beginning of an era for one of my closest, longest-standing clients. I can’t think of a more perfect way to close this chapter.

Today, I did my final face of makeup.
I started offering makeup professionally in 2010.

Sixteen years of weddings, photo shoots, filming, makeup lessons, and countless special occasions have given me more incredible experiences and memories than I could have ever imagined.

And somehow, I got to close out this era with someone who has been part of my career for nearly as long as I’ve been doing it.

I started doing her hair when she was 15 and I was 20. Today, I had the honor and privilege of doing her hair and makeup for her wedding day.
We’ve seen each other through the good, the bad, the ugly, and the hilarious.
We’ve watched each other grow and change through so many seasons of life.
So it felt pretty perfect that she would be my grande finale as she begins a brand-new era of her own. 🤍

To have been trusted with such an intimate part of so many people’s special memories has been an incredible honor. I’m hanging up the makeup kit with a lot of pride, a very full heart, and an enormous amount of gratitude for every person who trusted me with their wedding day, photos, productions, lessons, and milestones.

Makeup may be leaving my professional repertoire, but my salon and my love for creating beautiful hair aren’t going anywhere.

Sixteen years.
So many faces.
So many stories.
So many memories.
What an incredible chapter it has been. ✨

I 🩷love🩷 meeting new people. Especially new(er) to Des Moines people. 1.) I love helping to shape their hair to help bring out their amazing natural texture (like this gorgeous woman in the photo), and helping them realize the potential of their hair. 2.) I love hearing about who they are and where they’re from (this one is from Hawaii (and I love that her hair has the natural beach vibe to it- very on brand!). Very recently I’ve had one from Brazil, and a lot of people from the LA area), and getting a glimpse of DSM through the fresh eyes. It inspires me to get out in my own community. 3.) it keeps me excited and inspired to keep doing what I do. I feed off of showing you what your hair is capable of, but especially your reactions to seeing it when I’m finished!

One of the most gentle souls to ever come in my studio was scheduled today. Her curls always light up my day- they’re perfection. But just being around her makes you feel like you’re walking on air. There’s something so ethereal about her ✨. Today was one of those days that, while sculpting up her amazing curls, I found out that a life changing event occurred in her life. I was aware of the situation, but today is when I got the news. To be part of your life changing moments is part of this career that no one really tells you about or prepares you for. How it’s like a gut punch when I hear the stuff you’re going through. How it’s also my celebration when you have amazing news. There are many of you whom I’ve been there through your graduations, marriages, kids, deaths of pets/parents/spouses/siblings. I’m honored that you all share your major and minor life events with me. A lot of life happens in my chair and I’m forever grateful to get to know you and your stories 🩷

An other fun haircut transformation, but this time it's on a very long time (her whole life!) client. I did her very first haircut. She has come to see me in her Halloween costume several times when she was little. And while her younger brother is a seasoned stylist himself ( he has cut his own hair a few times and I think it's hilarious) I'm the *only* one who has cut this beautiful souls hair! This time she wanted a bigger change than usual, so we cut off a lot of length.
The inspiration photos she showed me were timeless and elegant; I think we nailed it! I absolutely treasure the relationships that grow over the years. I have gotten to know many generations within families (hers included!), and it's the reason I came back from vacation 🙃... that, and Italy may have kicked me out eventually.

I love a first time curly haircut! It's fun to see their reaction once they're styled! It's incredibly gratifying to be able t sculpt shape in to a raw canvas. And all of that curl definition? Just TWO products used on her for styling;
Innersence leave in conditioner and Innersence | Create Curl gelee.

Arrivederci! Starting May 17, 2026, I will be unplugged and unreachable for some much deserved time away. All correspondence will be returned on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. See you when I return!

Nearly a year had gone by (maybe a full year? 🤔) and one of my favorites is back from deployment to freshen up her curls 💗 the timing in when she was brought home couldn’t have been better and I’m so happy she is safe. I find myself thinking about you all between appointments. Wondering how you’re doing with whatever we talked about at your last appointment, or what adventures you’ve been on (mentally, physically, or emotionally. This career is unlike any other - so many people from all walks of life (and corners of the globe!🌎) sit in my chair. We have incredible conversations and I get to create art; I sculpt and color your hair- unleashing my creativity in to something you wear day in and day out. Thank you for being my canvas and also for all of the incredible conversations (and also thank you for enduring my stand up comedy routines, TED talks, and super deep dives), these relationships are what make life incredible special 💗

Lisa brought in some shamrock ☘️ shades to celebrate St Patrick’s Day today. Hope you all stayed safe and warm out there!

Let’s brighten this cold day (🙃 very on brand for Iowa) a little bit with some more highlights and a fresh cut! I had the pleasure of seeing this lovely lady again - it had been about a year (before photo at the end) so it was time to refresh her sparkle ✨ I’m convinced that if I post highlight photos that the sun and warmth will come faster! High of 21 today but a high of 77 on Friday… where else can you find such extremes!