Lucia Tacchelli

Lucia Tacchelli is a makeup artist (truccatrice) and hairstylist based in Lugano, in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, who offers bridal makeup and hairstyling alongside makeup lessons, day and evening makeup, artistic makeup and body painting, and makeup for photography and fashion. Her site is a short one in Italian, with a biography, a list of services, a review, a portfolio and a contact section. For a couple marrying in Ticino, she is an independent artist who can do both the bride's makeup and her hair.

Background and training

In her biography she introduces herself as a former competitive gymnast ("ex ginnasta a livello agonistico") who now teaches pole dance in Lugano. She writes that makeup has always been one of her greatest passions: it makes her happy, relaxes her, and she finds it fulfilling to see her clients happy and satisfied, which is why she decided to turn the passion into her work. She completed the one-year course in makeup and hairstyling (corso annuale di trucco e acconciature) at the MBA Academy in Milan, earning the diploma with top marks in every area ("con il massimo dei voti in tutti i campi").

She describes herself as sunny and outgoing, and says her aim is to make clients feel beautiful and at ease, bringing out their best with high-quality products. She also describes herself as extremely precise, someone who leaves nothing to chance, for whom every detail has to be perfect, and she promises her professionalism, knowledge and experience for a result beyond expectations.

The bridal service

Her bridal service is listed as TRUCCO SPOSA (bridal makeup). The description says that on the day of the "Sì" the bride should feel like a princess, with makeup suited to her that lasts the whole day and evening, and a hairstyle that matches her style and her dress. The page says a trial is always recommended ("Una prova è sempre consigliata"), so that together they can assess the bride's wishes and choose the most suitable products, and, according to the page, check for any allergies. For a bride with sensitive skin, that is the moment to raise it.

Hair is part of the offer. Under HAIRSTYLE, she writes that she is available for hairstyles either combined with a makeup package or on their own: for a special event, for a wedding, or for a clean, simple daytime style. A bride can therefore book hair and makeup from the same person, and the mothers or bridesmaids can book either.

Other services

Makeup courses (Corsi di trucco). She teaches online, one-to-one or in small groups, covering everyday makeup or makeup for an evening out, using both the client's own products and professional ones. For individual consultations, she advises which products to buy, online or in a shop, based on the client's budget. For a bride who wants to manage touch-ups herself, or a bridesmaid doing her own makeup, a lesson before the wedding is an option.

Day and evening makeup (Trucco giorno e/o sera). A day makeup meant to bring out the client's features without transforming her, in line with her style; or an evening makeup for a special occasion, where she says one can be a little more daring while still following the client's wishes. This is the relevant service for wedding guests.

Artistic makeup and body painting. Themed makeup, for example for Halloween, and body painting with professional products, with details on request.

Photographic and fashion makeup. Makeup suited to the camera flash and to current trends, for a personal photo shoot or for a magazine. Her bridal description does not mention the camera, but the same skill set, makeup that works under flash, is the one a bride's photographer will test all day, and it is fair to ask at the trial how the bridal look will read in photographs.

What clients say

The Reviews section carries one short review, from Valentina M.: "Una vera professionista! L'acconciatura perfetta per me e per il mio giorno più bello!" (A true professional! The perfect hairstyle for me and for my most beautiful day!). It is one review, but it is from a bride, and it is about the hair.

Contact

The contact section invites questions and appointment requests by email at LUCIATACCHELLIMUA@GMAIL.COM or by phone on +41 79 384 30 33, and there is a contact form. The site has no online booking. Because so little is published, the first message does most of the work. A couple writing from abroad should give the wedding date and place, where the bride will get ready and at what time she needs to be finished, whether she wants hair, makeup or both, how many others want styling, and when she could attend a trial. That lets the reply carry a price, travel terms and a trial date in one go.

What the site does not state

The site publishes no prices for any service, so every figure has to come from an inquiry. It does not say whether she travels to the bride's home, hotel or venue on the wedding day, or whether the trial and the wedding styling take place in Lugano, and it names no studio address. It does not say how long before the wedding the trial should be, how far ahead to book, or how many people she can do on a wedding morning. It names no product brands, only "prodotti di alta qualità" (high-quality products) and professional products. It gives no deposit or cancellation terms. It does not say which languages she works in; everything on the site is in Italian, so a couple who does not speak Italian should write in English and ask.

Who it suits

Lucia Tacchelli suits a bride marrying in or around Lugano who wants makeup and hair from one independent artist, likes the idea of a trial beforehand, and is comfortable arranging the details by email or phone. Her training covers both makeup and hairstyling, and her only published review is from a bride who praises the hairstyle. The caveats are that nothing about price, travel or timing is published, and the site is in Italian only, so a couple from abroad should expect a few exchanges before a booking is confirmed.