Iliana Illien

Iliana Illien is a freelance hair and makeup artist in Thun whose site introduces her, in English, as a "Hair / Makeup / Special Effects Artist". She trained first as a hairdresser, then as a makeup artist, and has built most of her career in theater, film, photo and advertising work. Weddings are one of the fields she names in her own summary of what she does, which makes her a candidate for a bride in the Thun and Bern area who wants hair and makeup from one person with a broad professional background. The site is a portfolio and CV rather than a bridal brochure, so the wedding offer itself has to be discussed with her directly.

From salon to stage

Her About section, written in German, tells the story in her own words. Creativity was always her passion, so it was clear early on that she wanted to become a hairdresser. After that training, which she completed with a work-based Matura (the Swiss university entrance qualification) alongside it, she decided to train as a makeup artist. She writes that the variety makeup allows, and the joy in her clients' eyes, keep fascinating her, and that experimenting with colors and textures interests her as much as bringing freshness to a face with a few small brushstrokes.

In 2016 she took further training in theater and film in Berlin, after which, she writes, it quickly became clear that everyday salon work was no longer enough. She concentrated more and more on makeup, started her own projects and found a foothold in musicals at the Thunerseespiele. Since 2018 she has worked as a freelance hair and makeup artist for photo and film productions, advertising productions, theater and weddings. She values the variety of the job: «Kein Tag ist wie der andere», no day is like the next, and each new assignment brings new faces and personalities. Since 2021 she has been part of the coaching team at Blend Academy in Bern, passing on her knowledge to young talent.

Training

The site lists her training in detail:

• 2008 to 2011, apprenticeship as a hairdresser (Coiffeuse EFZ)
• 2013, diploma as a beauty makeup artist, Avantapres Bern
• 2016, further training in film, HD and theater, Inclover Academy Berlin
• 2021, hair masterclass with Pablo Kümin, Blend Academy Bern
• 2022, Master of Makeup Artistry in special makeup effects, Makeup Designory Los Angeles
• 2023, workshop Art of Aging with Tamar Aviv, Focal Zürich
• 2024, further training as a manicurist and gel nail artist, Blend Academy Bern

For a bride, the practical points in that list are the combination of a full hairdressing apprenticeship with makeup training, which means one person can do both, and the more recent course on makeup for mature skin, which is relevant for mothers of the couple.

Experience

Her experience list is dominated by the stage. She has worked on makeup for the Thunerseespiele productions of "CATS" (2017), "Mamma Mia" (2018), "Ich war noch niemals in New York" (2019) and "Grease" (2026), and as additional makeup for "Ewigi Liebi" in 2025. In 2025 she also worked as a makeup artist at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, through the agency MakeItUp. She lists herself as a coach at Blend Academy Bern from 2020 and, in the experience list, as a freelancer since 2016, while her About text gives 2018 for the freelance start.

The reference section names a long list of photographers, corporate clients including UBS, Levi's, Tiffany&Co, Die Mobiliar, Emmentaler and the UKBB children's hospital, and magazines including MMSCENE, Beauty Forum Magazine and, relevant here, Swiss Wedding Magazine. A list of stylists and designers includes Alvoni Haute Couture and Retro Vintage & Rare. A menu entry for Film & Advertising and a portfolio page hold her pictures.

What that background means for a wedding

The site does not describe a bridal service, so what follows is what her own CV supports rather than a package. She is trained in both hair and makeup, so a bride can book one person for both. Her work for photo, film and advertising productions is makeup made to be photographed, which is what wedding makeup ultimately is. Her musical work means preparing a whole cast for live performances, and her coaching role at Blend Academy means she teaches what she does. For a bride who wants something more editorial, vintage or unusual than a classic bridal look, her special effects and fashion credits show range.

What the site does not say

The site gives no bridal packages, no prices, no trial arrangements and no travel terms. It does not say whether she comes to the bride's home or venue, how far she will travel from Thun, or whether she can bring help for a larger bridal party. It gives no lead time for booking a wedding date, which matters given that her theater seasons take up part of the year.

On language, the site's headings, its introduction and its contact block are in English, and her About text and CV are in German. It does not state which languages she works in. A couple who wants to work in English should confirm it in the first message rather than assume it from the English headings.

Contact

The contact block gives her as Iliana Illien, Hair & Makeup Artist, Switzerland, Bern, Thun, with the phone number +41793711843, the email makeup(at)ilianaillien.ch and her Instagram handle iliana_illien. There is no booking form on the page, so a first inquiry goes by email or phone.

Who it suits

Iliana Illien suits a bride marrying around Thun or Bern who wants a single artist for hair and makeup with serious professional training, and especially one who wants a look with some character, for photos that matter as much as the day.

The caveats are that weddings are one strand of a busy stage and production career, that the site describes no bridal process or prices, and that her availability around theater seasons has to be checked. A couple should write early with the date, the location, the number of people to be styled and the language they want to work in.