AURORA, Colo. — Some hair stylists and makeup artists in Colorado told Denver7 Investigates that they were targeted by a third-party bridal services company. Now they are warning brides about booking at Standard Beauty.
Stephanie Borger’s job is to make brides look beautiful.
“I’ve always had a passion for makeup,” Borger said. “I do a lot of weddings. That’s probably the main bread and butter of my business.”
The Denver makeup artist with 5-star reviews and 10 years of experience had never experienced what happened with a third-party bridal services company that started last year.
Borger said she received a call from Texas-based Standard Beauty, a company she hired to connect brides with local makeup artists and hair stylists. The company booked Mr. Borger and Denver-based hairstylist Pauline Castro for Emily Armstead’s wedding in Allen’s Park, Colorado, last month.
Borger and Castro said they never received money for their work, even though Armstead paid Standard Beauty.
“It’s pretty embarrassing in a way that I said yes to this person I’ve never met,” Castro said.
“Obviously they should be paid in full for the work they provide,” Armstead said.
Invoices show Armstead paid Standard Beauty in advance for bridal hair and makeup, but both artists say they never received a penny.
Ms. Borger’s text messages and emails show that Standard Beauty manager Michael Stearns II promised to pay her, but ultimately threatened to sue her and stopped responding. are.
“I work very hard. I have three jobs. I just graduated esthetician school,” Borger said. “It’s hurtful for someone to do something like this intentionally, and I believe he did it.”
Borger said she has since heard similar stories from several artists and brides in other states.
Denver7 Investigators attempted to contact Stearns, but received no response. Additionally, Standard Beauty does not have any online reviews or Better Business Bureau listings.
“A week went by, two weeks went by, the payment didn’t arrive and we were basically ghosted,” Castro said.
Now, three Colorado women are fighting back. Armstead said she is disputing the charges to her credit card by Standard Beauty.
Meanwhile, Castro and Borger are speaking out to warn others, saying they will take extra precautions to protect themselves and their businesses in the future.
“He’s victimizing and taking advantage of people in this industry,” Borger said. “I don’t want this to happen to anyone else.”
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