Sip & Style Co

Sip & Style Co is an Australian first hair and beauty interactive masterclass event that connects industry hair and beauty professionals to people who want to learn how to style their hair or do their makeup in a fun and interactive group setting.

Similar to the well-known concept of a paint and sip class, instead of learning how to paint, participants can learn how to style their hair or do their makeup whilst enjoying bottomless sparkling wine.

The innovative brainchild comes from Ari Ahearne and Jake Doran who, collectively, have zero hair or makeup experience but a passion for fun and adventure, launching Sip & Style Co in March of this year in Tasmania.

Each class focuses on a specific look, for example, Textured Waves. The masterclass operates in a phase style demonstration where the participants watch a professional hairstylist create the look in steps and then the participants recreate the steps on their hair with help from the stylist along the way. “We provide all participants with everything they need to create the look from professional tools and high-quality products as well as bottomless sparkling Tasmanian wine!”, says Ari. “We have been incredibly lucky to be working with the biggest brands in hair currently, Dyson and Milkshake, having landed the partnerships in the first month from launching. It has so far been an incredible journey having sold out of all of our hair masterclasses with Ben O’Brien as well as selling out most of our makeup masterclasses as well.” Ari explains.

Launching a business in an unfamiliar area such as the hair and beauty industry in the thick of COVID-19 has presented challenges for Ari and Jake, however, through community and industry support they have been able to navigate this to a successful business. “We have been very grateful for the opportunities that have come our way and we look forward to broadening Sip & Style Co. to target not only consumers but industry professionals with the launch of PRO Sip & Style Co.”

Pro Sip & Style Co aims to provide industry professionals a platform to upskill by providing online tutorials with established and well-known hairstylists and makeup artists and will include the launch of an interactive professional face-to-face masterclass with Ben O’Brien in late August in Hobart, TAS.

“Since launching in March we have had the amazing opportunity to partner with Milk_shake Hair.” Says Ari. “They have an incredible styling range which has been extremely popular in our masterclasses as well as in our online shop. And in addition to Milk_shake we have collaborated with Dyson Hair to fit out our masterclasses with Dyson Corrale hair straighteners. The cordless technology makes the hair tools very user-friendly especially to those learning for the first time how to curl their hair with a straightener. It is incredibly important to us that we align with highquality brands as we aim to provide all participants with a fun and luxurious experience.” The Sip and Style Co. hair and beauty master classes host recognised educators who are renowned for their craft, currently with Ben O’Brien, a multiaward-winning hairstylist who also plays a key role in Milk_shake’s education team. Ben is also supported by another fantastic hairstylist Sam Treloar in his masterclasses. For makeup the team are currently working with published makeup artist Sophie McDermott who specialises in editorial and bridal makeup.