Bridal service providers are accused of not paying Colorado hair and makeup artists

AURORA, Colo. – Some Colorado hairdressers and makeup artists claim they have been targeted by an outside bridal services company. Now they are warning brides not to book with Standard Beauty.

It's Stephanie Borger's job 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 bread and butter of my business.”

The Denver makeup artist with five-star reviews and a decade of experience had never experienced what happened with an outside bridal services company since last year.

Borger said she received a call from Texas-based Standard Beauty, a company hired by brides to connect them with local makeup artists and hair stylists. The company booked Borger and Denver-based hairstylist Pauline Castro for Emily Armstead's wedding in Allenspark, Colorado, last month.

Borger and Castro said they never received any money for their work, although Armstead paid Standard Beauty.

“In a way, it’s pretty embarrassing that I said yes to this person I’ve never met before,” Castro said.

“Of course they deserve to be paid in full for the work they have done,” Armstead said.

Invoices show that Armstead paid Standard Beauty in advance for bridal hair and makeup, but both artists say they never received a dime.

Borger's texts and emails indicate that Standard Beauty manager Michael Sturns II promised to pay her, but ultimately he threatened to sue her but stopped responding.

“I work very hard. I have three jobs. I just finished my studies to become a beautician,” said Borger. “It’s hurtful that someone would do something like that on purpose, and I believe he does.”

Borger said she has since heard from several other artists and brides in other states with similar stories.

Denver7 Investigates attempted to reach Sturns without receiving a response. Standard Beauty also does not display online reviews or a listing with the Better Business Bureau.

“A week later, two weeks later, no payments had come in and basically ghosted us,” Castro said.

Now the three women from Colorado are fighting back. Armstead said she disputes Standard Beauty's charges on her credit card.

Meanwhile, Castro and Borger are warning others, saying they will take extra precautions to protect themselves and their businesses in the future.

“He bullies and takes advantage of people in this industry,” Borger said. “I don’t want this to happen to anyone else.”