Bridal Stylists Make Wedding Magic(a)|『妆点美丽的个人服务业──新娘秘书』

Bridal Stylists Make Wedding Magic

『妆点美丽的个人服务业──新娘秘书』

　　The end of the Lunar New Year's holiday marks the start of the wedding season and the busiest time of year for Taiwan's bridal stylists. It is also a popular time to embark on a new career. Standing at the nexus of these two trends is Taiwan's most popular personal service in recent yearstyling brides. A popular choice for post-holiday career changers, the profession attracts nearly 1,000 individuals to its ranks every year.

　　Though it originated in the West, bridal styling, which involves helping the bride with her hair, makeup, and gowns, took root in Taiwan more than a decade ago. It has been growing ever since. What local magic do these fairy godmothers of the wedding industry wield? What skills do they need to turn their brides into princesses?

　　It is 4:00 AM, and bridal stylist Dori Hsu is already on her way to work. When she arrives at her client's home at 5:30 AM, the drowsy bride-to-be answers the door looking worried. "What am I going to do? I couldn't sleep last night. The circles under my eyes have got even darker, and my skin's breaking out."

　　"It's OK. I'll take care of it." Hsu sets down a suitcase filled with the tools of her trade like cosmetics, brushes, and applicators, and begins to wave her magic wand. She covers dark circles and pimples with layers of makeup, leaving the bride with beautiful-looking skin.

　　Hsu moves on to her client's neck and shoulders, then does her hair, paints her nails, and adds a few final flourishes. By the time she gets the bride into her gown and veil, it is 9:05 AM and time for the groom to escort her to the ceremony.

 

　　农历春节刚结束，表示结婚旺季的到来，台湾的新娘秘书一年当中最忙碌的时刻也就此展开。同时，这也是一波转职热潮。而连结这两项趋势的就是台湾近年来最热门的个人服务业──新娘秘书。这项职业相当受到年后有意转职者的青睐，每年都吸引近千人投入。

　　工作内容包含了妆发及服装的新娘秘书虽然源自于西方，但其实在十年多前就已在台湾落地生根。从当时起，这项行业就不断蓬勃发展。这些婚礼行业中的仙女施展了什么样属于台湾本土的魔法呢？她们需要哪些技艺才能将新娘子变成公主呢？

　　凌晨四点，新娘秘书许多莉已经出门工作。当她在五点半时抵达客户家门口，睡眼惺忪的准新娘前来应门，看起来有些不安。『怎么办？我昨晚都没睡。我的黑眼圈又变深了，还长了粉刺。』

　　『没问题的。交给我。』许多莉放下摆满了化妆品、刷子和粉扑的行李箱，并开始施展魔法。她用一层一层的化妆品盖掉了新娘子的黑眼圈和痘痘，取而代之的是相当漂亮的皮肤。

　　许多莉接下来处理客户的颈部和肩膀，然后再弄头发、上指甲油，最后修整细节。当新娘穿好礼服、戴好头纱，刚好赶上九点零五分新郎前来迎接新娘前往婚礼现场。