Welcome to IVORY STATE
Established in 2018 by Mandy Marsh + Jess Akers, IVORY STATE is one of the leading hair and makeup bridal specialists in the Hunter Valley and NSW. We are effortlessly mobile and come to our brides on location and also have our luxe studio, which serves as our creative base.
Alongside Mandy and Jess is their elite handpicked team of skilled and highly experienced makeup artists and hair stylists. The goal is to work with you, the bride, to turn your hair + makeup of your dreams into reality.
With our IVORY STATE headquarters based in the Hunter Valley, we are always with our brides in the vineyards, Newcastle and surrounding areas. We are also available to travel anywhere in NSW and nationally, wherever our IVORY STATE brides are located.
Nice to meet you
Co-Founders and Directors, Mandy Marsh + Jess Akers
Managing Director + Co-Founder
Makeup Artist + Bridal Specialist
MANDY MARSH
Mandy is a professional makeup artist, qualified trainer and bridal specialist with over 24 years of experience in the industry.
Based in Sydney for 10+ years, Mandy was International
Color Stylist for DIOR, Head Makeup Artist for The Wiggles and worked at Estée Lauder Companies Inc. head office.
Mandy relocated to the Hunter Valley 12 years ago, and worked as a qualified trainer with a Newcastle makeup academy, before co-founding IVORY STATE in 2018.
Mandy and Jess bonded over their passion for bridal styling, matching work ethic and aligned values of offering the BEST experience to everyone.
Together with Jess, Mandy will continue to grow IVORY STATE and lead the team into the very bright future!
Director + Co-Founder
Hair Stylist + Bridal Specialist
JESS AKERS
Jess is a professional hairdresser and bridal/upstyle
specialist with over 19 years of experience in the industry.
Early in her career, Jess received extensive training in upstyling for both bridal and special events. This experience is invaluable, and there is quite literally no style that Jess cannot design and create.
In addition to IVORY STATE where she indulges her passion for bridal and up styling, Jess runs boutique salon, JALush Hair Design.
With an established partnership with Mandy for over 8 years, Jess will continue to nurture and build IVORY STATE into the bright and gorgeous future!
The IVORY STATE elite team
IVORY STATE
PRO HAIR STYLIST
RHEE
With over 18 years of experience under her belt, Rhee is a qualified hairdresser, our resident curl queen, and a bridal /upstyle specialist.
IVORY STATE
PRO MAKEUP ARTIST
AMANDA
With over 14 years of industry experience, Amanda is a professional makeup artist and bridal specialist. Her work speaks for itself.
IVORY STATE DUAL STYLIST
PRO HAIR STYLIST + MAKEUP ARTIST
SHERRI
With over 20 years of experience in TV and film, Sherri is a professional makeup artist, hair stylist, and bridal/upstyle specialist. Sherri's work is always admired.
IVORY STATE
PRO HAIR STYLIST
BREE
With over 18 years of experience, Bree is one of the IVORY STATE OG's. A qualified hairdresser, and bridal/upstyle specialist. We love her work!!
IVORY STATE
PRO HAIR STYLIST
APRIL
April is a qualified hairdresser with over 18 years of experience. She is an absolute bridal and upstyle specialist, with her work being featured in many publications. There is no style she cannot do.
IVORY STATE
PRO MAKEUP ARTIST
GENEVIEVE
With 10+ years of experience, Genevieve is a professional makeup artist and bridal specialist. With a passion for skin that shines through her work.
IVORY STATE DUAL STYLIST
PRO HAIR STYLIST + MAKEUP ARTIST
ASHLEY
With over 34 years of experience in TV and film, Ashley is a professional makeup artist, hair stylist and bridal specialist. There is nothing she can't do!
IVORY STATE
PRO HAIR STYLIST
DONNA
With 10+ years of industry experience as a qualified hairdresser and a bridal/upstyle specialist. Her work is always amazing!
IVORY STATE
PRO MAKEUP ARTIST
ILONA
With over 12 years of industry experience, Ilona is a professional makeup artist and bridal specialist. Her work is incredible.
IVORY STATE
PRO MAKEUP ARTIST
SUZIE
With 20+ years of industry experience, Suzie is a professional makeup artist and an bridal specialist. Her work is always second to none.
Why you'll love us
Established in 2018, we are an experienced team of hair stylists and makeup artists servicing the Hunter Valley, Newcastle, North Coast and Central Coast.
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We are effortlessly mobile and come on location for all bridal bookings.
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We also have an exclusive studio located in the Main Street of Cessnock.
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We service the Hunter Valley, Upper Hunter, Newcastle, North Coast, South Coast and Central Coast + NSW wide.
Bridal + upstyle specialists
Qualified hair stylists +
professional makeup artists
Mobile + in-studio
Exceptional service + communication
Personalised expert advice
Exclusive high quality products
ABIA Accredited 2019/20/21/22/23/24
ABIA Hair Stylist Finalist 2019/21/23/24
ABIA Hair Stylist Top Three in NSW 2022
ABIA Makeup Artist Finalist 2019/21/22/23
2ND PLACE ABIA MAKEUP ARTIST IN NSW 2024
FINALIST (4TH) ABIA HAIR STYLIST IN NSW 2024
ABIA Australia's Top 5 Bridal Hair Stylist 2025
ABIA Australia's Top 5 Make-up Artist 2025
