malaea3... you should also look at Patricia LeJeune's website....
http://www.lejeune-pca.com/index.html
I am mixed (black and white) with super thick, long (middle of back when straightened), super curly hair. Hairstylists have actually backed out of doing my hair, 10 minutes after starting, because they weren't used to my hair texture or the sheer volume of it. So I was VERY VERY worried about finding a stylist. I have also had horrible experiences with makeup artists who don't have experience with women of my color.
But on Patricia's website the brides are so diverse, it makes me feel better. And they all look so BEAUTIFUL. Also I love how natural and beautiful all of their makeup looks.
Lurkyloo used her for her engagement pics and I think she may still have the pics in her PJ.
I just retained her for a trial and the wedding. She was so sweet on the phone and I expressed my concern about how difficult my hair is to work with and she completely made me relax. On her request, I sent her a word document with pics of my hair, my dress, my veil and pics of how I would love my hair to look.
The only thing is that she took a month to get back to me. It was during the holidays though. I emailed, filled out the form on her website and left her a message. And when she got back to me she apologized profusely and explained how busy she had been with weddings over the holidays.