We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Destiny Brees a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Destiny , appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I have always had an intense passion for the beauty industry from an artists perspective. I was enamoured by theatre and performing arts as well as photography and attending arts camps as an adolescent with my focus in those areas of creative expression. As an adult, I found the intrigue of how using those elements to create empowerment for the every day female became the core of my purpose in life. I began cultivating my career in my mid twenties. Learning the ins and outs of the industry from every perspective so that I could really decide which niche and pathway would be more fulfilling…. For myself which in turn .. becomes fulfilling for the client. I believe the artist is most inspired when in their natural creative space.

I chose my focus to be the Fitness world and the Bridal world. My onsite career officially began in Las Vegas, when I started doing fitness Competition makeup. I learned so much about lighting, contrast, contour, and really enhancing ones features for STAGE and photo through this fascinating world. Early mornings and the very specific timing and precision it took for this craft, helped me in learning how to get my skill to fit within a time frame. This journey alone is one attribute of experience that has helped with future success.

I started doing various Vegas shows, such as the “Pole Show” at the House of Blues on the strip and as well as assisting with Cirque D’ Soilel performers. I also traveled to and from the SoCal/San Diego area for contract work with Oxygen Magazine and BFW online fitness magazine working with some of the most renound fitness photographers. My journey gave me so many opportunities in my career, including my work being published on the cover of Playboy in 2018. In-between, also working hundreds of weddings over the years and various celebrities along the way… Such as Jennifer Tilly and Kimbella, Juju, and Tahari from Love and Hip Hop.

However, I wanted to do something that focused more on the normal woman, not the woman whose life is already glamorous… But the woman who would be more empowered by my craft.

I decided to move my life to the South, and really focus on Bridal and Lifestyle (maternity, boudior, etc) and pouring love into anyone who struggles to embrace their unique and truly authentic feminine beauty.

I think women are too hard on themselves and have been subconsciously taught to compare and compete when we should be supporting and celebrating our beautiful bodies and spirits as women who do SO much for LIFE!

THIS gets me excited to work every single day. I love my clients. And I have shared some.of the most incredible milestones with some beautiful women.

This is my purpose and how I will make a difference. It gives me LIFE and I feel like I never WORK. It’s always JOY.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I offer onsite beauty artistry. I come to you, and bring everything I need for special occasion glam. Services include blow-outs, braids, updo/down-do’s, and makeup applications to enhance ones natural beauty. I also offer one on one makeup lessons, bridal elopement lessons (so you can do your own destination wedding glam), and will even shop with you to create your makeup bag needs customized to your own skin type and lifestyle.

My mission to leave every client feeling empowered and loved.

I really try to deliver a loving and personal experience for everyone who books with me… From brides to even my high school senior sessions. I really try to relive stress and bring a comfortable space so that these special moments and days for my clients are memorable and impactful.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn the automation of glam… And really listen to my clients wants and needs so that I could focus on what makes THEM feel beautiful about THEMSELVES… Not just how trends or society tells me as an artist to make someone beautiful. I think too many HMUAs make their clients look like THEIR work and not like THEMSELVES.

I don’t want to re-create. I want to elevate.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have to pivot all the time. That’s part of resilience and growth. If something feels forced or too difficult, I’ve had to take steps back… And redirect myself and my vision.

That how I felt about the world of Vegas shows and working with celebrities. It was fun and vast, and I learned SO much… But it was nearly as fulfilling as working with a bride…. Who is madly in love… And waited her whole life for the moment ahead. THAT feels meaningful to me. So I had to give up the flashy idea of fame and working with the desired to really adding purpose to my purpose. My art.

I wanted to make a difference. Not just be part of the team in the background.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/Abrushwithdestinyhmua
• Facebook: Facebook.com/dbreesmua
• TikTok: destinybrees1980

Image Credits
Tori Vickers of Dandelion Weddings