Some people book hair and makeup because they have an event. But what Marisa and Illiana create at Sorella Salon is something far more intentional than that.
Based in Hamilton, Sorella is a dedicated hair and makeup studio specialising in elevated glam — for weddings, formals, maternity shoots, brand photography and milestone moments that deserve to be remembered beautifully. It’s a space where women come not just to be styled, but to feel seen, supported and confident in front of the camera.
As sisters, Marisa and Illiana bring both technical precision and deep intuition to their work. Their focus isn’t trends for trend’s sake. It’s about enhancing what’s already there — whether that’s a bride walking down the aisle, a new mum capturing her first family photos, or a business owner stepping into a personal brand shoot.
We spoke to the sisters about building a studio together, the art of modern glam, and why being part of a creative team lights them up.
What inspired you to open Sorella Salon together? And why did this feel like the right time?
We were inspired to open our salon because we’ve always shared a passion for makeup and hair. Ever since we were little girls, we’ve loved being around all things glam. We were always very girly girls.
After working together under a salon owner for some time, we built a strong client base and learned everything we needed to bring our own vision to life: what we truly wanted our salon and glam business to feel like.
Later, while working as rent-a-chair stylists in a shared space, we realised we were ready for something of our own. With the experience we had gained and a clear vision in mind, it finally felt like the right time to take the leap and create a space that reflected us and our brand.
That’s when we decided to take the plunge and open our salon.
The name “Sorella” means sister. How does your relationship as sisters shape the energy and culture of the salon?
Our relationship as sisters strongly shapes the culture of our salon. To us, sisterhood means friendship, closeness, and the comfort and warmth of family.
We want everyone who walks into our space — and spends time in our presence — to feel like one of us. Creating a welcoming, safe, and familiar environment is at the heart of everything we do.
In many ways, we are our ideal clients, and naturally, we attract people who share the same energy and vibe. That sense of connection is what makes our salon feel more than just a place for hair and makeup; it feels like a community.
Running a business as sisters must come with its own unique rhythm. How do your strengths differ? And how do they complement each other?
We’re definitely chalk and cheese! Very different in many ways, yet so similar where it truly matters. We’re constantly evolving and growing, both individually and together. Like any partnership, we experience highs and lows, but at the end of the day, we always get through challenges side by side.
We genuinely have each other’s best interests at heart, always. People often say they could never work with family, but for us, it works because we share a deep respect for one another and a mutual desire to see each other — and the business — succeed.
Our strengths balance each other beautifully. Illiana is more grounded and consistent, keeping everything steady behind the scenes. She’s naturally more type A, handling ordering, organisation, and making sure everything runs smoothly — and she does it exceptionally well. Marisa brings the creative energy, leading the social media, makeup artistry, and communication side of the business.
Together, our different strengths complement one another. We each have our roles, but we always step in to support each other wherever needed. It can be challenging at times, but we wouldn’t change it for the world. Every experience helps us grow, learn, and become stronger both as sisters and as business owners.
Beauty can be deeply personal. What does confidence mean to each of you? And how does that show up in your work?
We take the way people feel about themselves very seriously. One of our favourite hairdressers, Jonathan Van Ness, says that self-care and beauty aren’t for anyone else — they’re an avenue to express ourselves. It’s about how you feel, not just how you look.
We believe we have a very important role in helping people feel good about themselves, and that’s where confidence comes into our work. Sometimes, when someone isn’t feeling their best or is going through a tough time, simply having their hair or makeup done — and being looked after for an hour — can be incredibly powerful.
We also believe that working on our own confidence is essential. In order to uplift and encourage others, we need to carry that strength within ourselves, too. That energy naturally flows into the experience we create for our clients.
In a world of trends and social media inspiration, how do you help clients find a look that still feels authentically themselves?
We use inspiration photos as a starting point, but our focus is always on adapting the look to suit the client and enhancing the most beautiful features that are uniquely theirs. That ability comes from years of experience and understanding what truly works for each individual.
We love taking current trends and adding our own flair, balancing inspiration with expertise. By working closely with our clients’ expectations, face shape, features, and personal style, we create looks that feel elevated, wearable, and authentically them.
Have there been moments in the business that really affirmed you were on the right path?
There are moments every day that remind us why we do what we do. Sometimes it’s the little wins — like securing eight hair and makeup bookings for weddings in one week — and other times it’s the feeling created inside the salon itself.
Recently, we had a day in the salon when the energy was so high that, by the end, we both said, “That was the perfect salon day.” The vibe was exactly how we always hoped it would be: fun, light, full of laughter, and fully booked with hair and makeup clients.
Each year when we celebrate our salon anniversary with our family and friends, it also feels incredibly special. It’s a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and everything we’ve built together.
You’ve positioned Sorella as a hair and makeup studio. What does that mean to you?
For us, being a studio means we specialise in glam styling for events and photoshoots. Our energy goes into hair and makeup artistry for moments that matter.
That could be a wedding, a formal, maternity photos, newborn sessions, or brand shoots for entrepreneurs. We love working with women who are stepping into something — whether it’s marriage, motherhood or a new level in their business.
Our work is about enhancing, not masking. We want our clients to feel like the best version of themselves.
Weddings are a huge part of what you do. What makes bridal glam different?
Bridal is such a privilege. You’re part of one of the most important days in someone’s life. It’s not just about the look — it’s about creating a calm, grounded energy on the morning of the wedding.
We’re there from the start of the day. We see the nerves, the excitement, the emotion. Being able to hold that space while also delivering polished, long-lasting glam is something we take seriously.
We focus on timeless styling — looks that will feel beautiful in 20 years’ time when they’re looking back at their photos.
You’ve recently worked on brand photoshoots, including for jewellery brands. Tell us about that side of your work.
We absolutely love being part of creative teams on brand shoots.
Recently, we worked on two jewellery campaigns, and one of those brands rebooked us for a second shoot, which was such a compliment. It shows trust in our work and our professionalism on set.
Being part of a brand shoot is different from event glam. You’re collaborating with photographers, stylists, models and business owners. You’re considering lighting, product focus, mood boards and brand identity.
We’d love to do more of that work. It’s creative, collaborative and pushes us in the best way.
What’s your approach to glam in 2026?
Modern glam is about skin. Texture. Softness. Intentional placement.
We focus on enhancing features rather than overdoing them. Long-lasting but lightweight. Structured but still natural.
Hair and makeup should photograph beautifully but still feel comfortable to wear out and about in real life. That balance is everything.
Hamilton has a strong local community vibe. How has that neighbourhood influenced Sorella Salon’s growth and identity?
Our community in Hamilton means a lot to us. The area is starting to thrive, and we’re passionate about contributing to that growth. We’re proud to be Hamilton business owners and love being part of a supportive, creative local network.
Our local coffee shop, Lords, is a staple for us. Not only do they keep us caffeinated, but they also greet us with warm smiles every time. We even use their coffee beans for our clients, and through social media collaborations with them, we’ve connected with new clients as well.
We also have great relationships with fellow hair salons in the area, like By J. There’s plenty of work out there for everyone, so we proudly recommend clients to each other and share products when needed.
We celebrate milestones together, too, from salon anniversary nights to significant birthdays at places like Harrisons Restaurant. Hamilton is a wonderful, supportive community, and being a part of it makes our work feel even more meaningful.
Looking ahead, what’s the vision for Sorella Salon? How do you hope it continues to evolve?
In the future, we want our business to be known as a true glam destination — the go-to place for hair and makeup in Newcastle. We want to be recognised as a home of glam, where people think of us immediately when they’re seeking those services.
We also envision our space continuing to be an environment not only that clients love to be in, but where other hairdressers and makeup artists are excited to work and collaborate. We see countless opportunities for creative partnerships, growth, and incredible experiences here in Newcastle and beyond.
Sorella Salon
124 Tudor Street, Hamilton, NSW
