If you’re planning your wedding, you’ll know that choosing your hair and makeup artist isn’t just about how everything looks on the day. It’s about how you feel sitting in that chair, how comfortable you are, and whether the person working with you really understands your style.
This month’s featured vendor, Makeup & Hair by Agnetha, brings a refreshing, down-to-earth approach to bridal beauty. Based in Mossel Bay, Agnetha is someone who is genuinely passionate about what she does, and even though she’s still growing her name in the industry, there’s something incredibly real and relatable about her journey.
We asked her a few questions to get to know her better, and her story is one that feels both familiar and inspiring.
Agnetha’s love for hair and makeup started long before it ever became something she considered doing professionally. “As a young girl, I loved magazines. I could flip through those glossy pages endlessly. My favourite DSTV channel at the time was E! Entertainment and Fashion TV. I loved the looks, the hair, the makeup,” she says. Like so many creatives, it began with curiosity and experimenting. “I started playing with my mom’s makeup and my own hair in Grade 6, and that’s really where my passion was born.”
That passion followed her into her teenage years, where she quickly became the go-to person in her neighbourhood. “People would often ask me to do their hair, makeup and eyebrows, and I always did it for free. I just loved doing it.” Even when she stepped into the corporate world, that part of her never really went away. “When I worked in Rosebank and later Sandton, we had a lot of events, and my colleagues would always ask me to do their hair and makeup.”
It’s clear that this wasn’t something she forced or planned too carefully. It was always there in the background, quietly building.
Everything shifted when she moved to the Garden Route. “Four years ago we moved to Mossel Bay, and that passion reignited within me. I realised this is something I actually want to do as a profession and earn money from.” That decision led her to take the leap into the wedding space. “In 2025 I started doing weddings and matric farewells. I’m still very fresh in the industry, but I’m really hoping to grow this year.”
There’s something very honest about the way she shares that. She’s not pretending to have years of experience behind her, but instead focusing on building something meaningful, step by step.
When it comes to working with brides, Agnetha keeps things simple and personal. At the moment, she offers hairstyling while continuing to build her full makeup kit, but her approach goes far beyond just the service itself. “I believe in individuality. Stay true to yourself and do what makes you feel comfortable,” she explains.
She encourages trials as a way to really figure things out together. “Trials are the best because that’s how we perfect the look. It’s a bit of trial and error, but it helps us find exactly what works for you.” At the same time, she understands that not every bride wants that process. “If you’re okay with not having a trial, I’ll always cater to what makes the bride comfortable. At the end of the day, it’s about her feeling good and being happy.”
That kind of flexibility makes a big difference, especially during a time when there’s already so much pressure to get everything “perfect.”
Like any creative industry, hair and makeup is constantly evolving, and Agnetha is very aware of the need to keep learning. “I love creativity, and all I can say is practice makes perfect. As the industry grows, fashion, hair and makeup are always changing,” she says. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by that, she leans into it. “In order to stay relevant, I have to keep up and keep practising new looks.”
Even though she’s still early in her journey, there have already been moments that have stood out. One wedding in particular left a lasting impression. “I worked at a wedding at Louvain Guest Farm, and what really stood out for me was the energy of the people,” she shares. “My personality draws energy from happy, positive crowds, and this group of friends had come together from different parts of the country and the world to celebrate someone they love.”
That experience stayed with her, not because of the details, but because of the feeling. “The love and energy I experienced there was so uplifting and energising.”
When asked what sets her apart, Agnetha’s answer is refreshingly honest. “Truth be told, I’m still really fresh and new in the industry, so I can’t fully say yet what sets me apart,” she admits. But instead of seeing that as a weakness, she sees it as part of the process. “There are so many talented vendors out there, and working alongside them and seeing their different techniques and styles is actually really encouraging.”
She knows that finding her unique style will come with time. “I still need to get into the groove of things and discover what sets me apart. That’s my honest opinion.”
And honestly, that’s exactly what makes her so easy to connect with. There’s no pressure, no pretense — just someone who genuinely loves what she does and is committed to growing into it.
If you’re planning a wedding in the Garden Route and you’re looking for someone who feels approachable, calm, and easy to work with, Makeup & Hair by Agnetha is definitely worth considering. Based in Mossel Bay, she brings a thoughtful, personal approach to every bride she works with, focusing on what makes you feel comfortable rather than what’s trending.
At the end of the day, that’s what matters most — feeling like yourself, just a little more elevated, on one of the most important days of your life.
To view Agnetha’s listing, please click here.
