[Watch] Carrie Underwood’s Hair & Makeup Artist Talks CMA Awards Glam

Melissa Schleicher is one of Nashville’s most sought-after celebrity hair and makeup artists. Not only does she own two of the area’s most celebrated salons, Parlour 3 and Barbour 3, her impressive list of clientele includes Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, Rascal Flatts, and Brad Paisley (just to name a few!).

Schleicher, who has done Carrie’s hair and makeup since 2005, recently wrapped a busy few weeks on the road with the superstar, who made media rounds in support of her fifth studio album, Storyteller.

As someone whose been with the “Smoke Break” singer for 10 years, Schleicher insists “she’s so easy” to work with. She’s also learned what Underwood likes, and what she doesn’t.

“Carrie likes smoky eyes,” Schleicher tells Sounds Like Nashville. “She loves a lot of eye, and not a lot of lip.”

We caught up with Schleicher at Parlour 3 as she was in the midst of preparations for Wednesday’s 49^th Annual CMA Awards, where Paisley and Underwood will host the show for the 8^th consecutive year. She dished about what goes on backstage, what we can expect to see from Underwood’s glam this year, and much more. Check out our exclusive interview with Melissa Schleicher below.

The 49th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 4 on ABC.