Melissa Arens, Stylist/Make-Up Artist

Born in Michigan, Mayapple Salon and Boutique Co-Owner, Stylist and Make-Up Artist Melissa Arens settled in Northwest Arkansas by way of southern California to pursue her career in hair, makeup and fashion. Mel discovered her passions for hair design, makeup artistry and fashion styling at an early age, and she attended Leon’s Career Academy of Hair Design in Springdale, Arkansas, graduating in Cosmetology in 2005.

Mel has served as Fashion Show Producer and Hair and Make-Up Artist for Art Amiss for over five years, and she joined the Art Amiss Board as Fashion Director in 2010. As Fashion Director, she always is looking for new and upcoming designers to recruit to the Art Amiss collective and to feature at the biannual Art Amiss Fashion runway events. Additionally, she loves to find inspired fashion and accessory designers regionally and nationwide to showcase at Mayapple Boutique.

Additionally, she has worked as Make-Up Artist and Hair Design Instructor for N.c.K Talent Management and Stage 28 Talent Casting in Fayetteville. She was a co-producer of the inaugural Ozark Couture show, and she is a featured designer showing at NWA Fashion Week in March 2012.

Mel approaches hair and make-up with creativity through color, texture and style, and she’s known for experimenting with the latest styles and trends. She is extremely versatile and works with clients to achieve optimal looks, whether bold, eccentric designs for the runway or themed editorial statements for print. At Mayapple Salon & Boutique, she provides salon services, cosmetics consulting, makeovers, color matching and color correction for both everyday looks and special events. Her specialties include all types of hair color and highlighting techniques, wedding styles and all-occasion makeup artistry.

“I love interpreting hair and makeup design from an artistic point of view while enhancing people’s natural beauty,” Mel said.

Mel’s styling work has appeared on runways across Arkansas for such high-profile events as Designer’s Choice Fashion Preview, KNWA Ladies’ Night Out and Ozark Couture, as well as on national television for Inside Edition and ESPN. Her makeup and hair design clients include Lauren Embree Jewelry, Northwest Arkansas Heart Association and Maybelline Cosmetics.