We were lucky to catch up with Alex Whitman Kelsey recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alex , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later
Wow, if I could go back in time to start my business sooner and create my vision sooner, I think I absolutely would. My passion for hair makeup and all things beauty started almost 14 years ago prior to the birth of my son. While in cosmetology school I had so many plans and visions for myself as I moved forward into my adult life and I had so much drive and passion to get it done. Working in salons with high traffic and with amazing stylist shaped and formed who I was. At that time so long ago I was so happy to stand behind the chair being in the salon all day and work with my clients .Being a mom and a wife at that time I had to really find the balance. I had to figure out what was most important to me and my vision. While creating the life, I wanted as a mom and wife, I still lacked and becoming the cosmetologist makeup artist and stylists that I saw for myself in the future. While working for other people paying booth rent and giving money away, I felt that could be sustainable for my own business. I decided it was time to branch out on my own. In doing that, I tried my hand in many things, including owning a barbershop, owning a salon suite, owning a waxing suite & also trying my hand out in the e-commerce space . In doing all of these things I was able to educate myself about what it meant to be a business owner on my own from the logistics to creating the vision, I literally was on my own at this point. As times have changed I looked back and think wow what if some of the resources that we have here in 2026 were available to me back in 2013 and 2014 when I had these grand visions but we didn’t have ways to execute in mass like we can now with content creation . Being that I’m from a small town, word-of-mouth was the number one way to get clients in the seat and keep them in the seat. However, now in my 30s and living in the digital content era and I feel if this was available to us more back then I think my growth and outreach would’ve been a little different looking back . Things are so different now in the industry, if you’re a stylist from those years you know exactly what I mean , long before the salon suite era where in now . I’m happy that I was able to build the basics back then with a background that stretches so far back through different generations of styling, I think is important to stay connected to all aspects of the industry from old to new .
Alex , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Alex Whitman Kelsey , i’m 34 years old and I’m from Huntsville Alabama. I’m a career hair and makeup artist with 14 plus years experience , cosmetics business owner, multi fashion week experience makeup hair artist , and content creator. Over the years in this business I’ve been able to use my talents on platforms like Bronner Brothers hair shows , New York Fashion Week , Miami swim week, Dallas fashion week, Alabama and Nashville fashion week . Not limited to that I’ve been able to hold space as a key makeup artist on a movie set filming a christian contemporary film , as well as on the makeup team at Bonnaroo music festival in Tennessee , also being hand selected for Fashion bomb daily’s new york fashion week show and so much more on various platforms throughout the states . Traveling from New York City back down to Miami Florida multiple times for gigs I have been able to really maintain connections with other artists and key players in the hair and makeup game . Working for brands like YSL Armani, Dior, Mac cosmetics, stila cosmetics , make up forever and many other brands i’ve been able to learn so much and curate my makeup style and makeup knowledge . My focus niche in the makeup space remains runway and backstage glam , something about the runway and working backstage fuels my fire in this industry . When I started makeup and hair so many years ago, that literally was my vision work backstage with top models and brands and on some scale, I’ve been able to do that . On a day-to-day basis, I feel my brand and passion aligns with making people feel beautiful whether I’m actually placing makeup or styling hair or if this comes from my content geared to inspire woman with fashion and beauty . I want people to find their beauty and nurture it however that looks for us individually. Gaining so much knowledge over the years and working with so many different people from many walks of life , I decided a few years back that it’s important that I bring my own cosmetic line to the front lines as an expression of my love for makeup and all things beauty . As I’m working tirelessly to release the products this year I want to bring beginner, friendly, easy products for those that are getting more comfortable with learning themselves and the makeup world bringing items like lip kits , eyeshadow palettes, blush palettes brushes, mirrors, etc. Kelseyalexcosmetics__ is a brand for the girlys and boys out there that want to express their beauty through makeup . When released I want the shoppers of my brand to know no matter your shape size ethnicity or lifestyle we’re bringing beauty and effortless glamour back into your life . It’s super important to me , especially in these times that all things beauty are inclusive and geared towards the purpose of being used by anyone . I’m super excited and can’t wait for the drop and release of my products and just know you guys will be the first to know. Although I’m not behind the chair as much as I used to be, by choice . I am still available to provide exemplary services to anyone looking for natural hair care, weaving services, makeup services, waxing services, and anything that falls under the realms of my cosmetology experience. I’m embracing the intricacies of content creating and all the new things it’s brought into my life . However , the makeup artist never left the building , I travel quite often so I’m available to work in almost any state with notice for any event , show or wedding . Be on the lookout for Kelseyalexcosmetics__ this year i’m excited for what’s next to come and for you to experience it with me .
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
There’s many times in my life career and business that I’ve had to pivot. Being a mom creating a business and going through a divorce early in my career taught me the definition of pivoting. But one thing about pivoting is you’re still in motion your repositioning for what’s next and in my career, I’ve done that so many times. I remember a time where I pivot from doing hair full-time and to be becoming a makeup artist full-time, and although these are the same industry, the services and customer base are totally different. Going from a salon owner, to a traveling makeup artist really taught me the hustle the grind it takes to go and get it. I really had to change my customer based when I change the services that I offered to them. When people are used to you doing one thing repositioning their mindset in your own into your new goals can be difficult but continue to pivot continue to shift and continue to grow. Because one day you’ll go from standing in your still salon suite doing clients every day to backstage at fashion week doing over 100 models in a day. You will look back at those times when you stood in your salon suite by yourself and manifested what was next for you . It’s important that no matter what happens you keep going even when it doesn’t seem like the next step is doable.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Becoming a content creator and building an online presence has been a slow but steady journey for me. Coming into it from the beauty world it was super easy for me to connect with other people doing makeup and hair videos. That’s really where it all started , doing make up on camera and sharing my beauty tips. I connected with other men and women online who loved the craft as well doing reviews on the newest hottest products as well as doing simple get ready with me videos which really helped me connect more with people outside of my hometown. In whatever I created, it was important to consistently post on my platform for some that can mean 3 to 5 times a day or that could mean a couple of times a week depending on your brand and true collaborations you might have . However, being relatable is the keyword and key point , showing people that you’re just like them you’re growing you’re learning and you’re becoming just like everybody else. It’s important to organize your content in a way that people can navigate through your socials and understand the vision understand your platform and understand what exactly you’re bringing that they can learn. Have a clear message and clear vision for the content which requires planning . It’s not easy but connecting and sharing with others keeps the community growing . My advice would be keep going there’s gonna be times that you post your content and there’s only gonna be 100 views , there will also be times that you’ll shock yourself and get over 100,000 views . No matter how many views remember that you’re putting in the same work no matter the views you’re putting in the same work ethic and you’re giving the world pieces of you no matter what the numbers look like. Imagine getting just a hundred views on your post and thinking that’s small , but being in a room with a 100 actual people and thinking it’s a lot of people . It’s important to know that you can’t be too hard on yourself most of the content that you don’t like the world will love. It’s important to remember that there’s people in the world that want to see what you have to give, and you’re not the one watching the content there’s people out there searching for the content that you’re providing remember that you’re providing content to other others not just for yourself so although you don’t love what you’re putting out there’s people that need to hear it. As a content creator over the last three years, there have been days that I just wanted to give up , but there’s also been days where I’ve been fueled to keep going . It’s important to grab inspiration from other creators, but to remain focused on your own vision .
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alexthemakeupartist.as.me/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseyalex__?igsh=YjIydnI2czBuYXFp&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1KR2kk9Zv1/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kelseyalex?si=rqE4QuAxjoU5me2Y
- Other: TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@kelseyalex__?_r=1&_t=ZT-941qTk4to58
