hi, i’m alyssa.
I’m a professional hair stylist & makeup artist by trade; a creative maker, artist, & lifelong weird girl by nature. Born & based in Hartford, CT, I’ve been in the beauty industry for over 10 years, & am the hands & heart behind Born & Bred salon/studio.
I love getting folks camera ready for photoshoots (boudoir, brand, maternity) & am equally excited about being the person there to help get you ready for your wedding day. I’m happy to hold space if it will help keep you grounded or partake in a quick karaoke dance party to shake out all the nerves.
My beauty work focuses on finding joy in being exactly who you are. Hair & makeup doesn’t have to be fussy or feel like we are playing pretend. I pride myself in making sure you feel like yourself when you leave my chair.
Haircutting & color services for all people are offered in-studio, by appointment. Hair styling & makeup application are available in-studio or on location for weddings, photoshoots & events.
find yourself & be that.
I have found that almost all of the things I find joy in doing have some connection to my lineage. My grandmother was a cosmetologist, my grandfather was a woodworker. The pillars of my ancestry are upheld by tradesmen & women - folks who made a living by working with their hands. Working within my industry & creating my art enables me to weave a narrative that helps honor my familial legacy on my own terms.
The name Born & Bred comes from a simple notion: This is who I am.
The name is about who you are too. You are who you are because of where you’ve been. You can embody elements of your past that make you feel powerful, or grant yourself grace & space to learn something new.
You are born & bred to be exactly who you are and who you want to become.
My beauty studio is home to my single-chair salon & makeup counter, & houses a handful of my own history. Family heirlooms including my grandma’s beloved blue couch, cherished art I’ve made or acquired, mementos & meaningful things I have collected along the way all live here. The vibe is comfy, cozy, cute & colorful.
My creative studio space sits across the hall & has more of a functional yet messy organized chaos kind of vibe. My artworks aim to use found items or preserved botanicals to create a multitude of goods. This includes custom keepsakes & commissions, floral preservation, resin preserved organic matter in form of jewelry & wearable art.
My passion projects include collaging ceramics together to make upcycled home décor & chaos stitching bags, blankets & pouches to give textiles another life. My focus is using materials bound for the garbage & reimagining items outside of their desired intention. In doing this, my hope is to encourage others to find beauty in what we would otherwise skim over.
I love being able to share these treasures. You can find me & my handmade goods at local artisan markets throughout the year across Connecticut. I love connecting with people in the community & look forward to seeing you soon!
let’s work together.
Schedule an appointment with me for your next beauty service, come check out my creations, or commission me for large-scale up-cycled projects.