We were lucky to catch up with Michaela Frank recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Michaela thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I spent years watching YouTube videos of all the big makeup gurus. Literally watching everything in detail. From the way the would hold their brushes, how the applied powders, shadows, cream products to really understand how different products react to different techniques. I would watch women with different skin colors, undertones, textures, skin types, face shapes constantly because I definitely learned the hard way that everyone’s face is not the same. I think now looking back, I would have really focused on trying to develop my own techniques in the beginning instead of trying to copy someone else style. Now I know that that is actually what was stunting my growth because I wasn’t learning what really worked for me. I think coming into the makeup industry knowing how to do complexion on all skin shades and types will really take you along way. Your shadow work can be developed as you continue to grow but having a flawless complexion is what got me into doors when I started pursuing my makeup career. At the time of me getting into makeup I was working in retail and just the access to quality products and or having the time to really dedicate to perfecting my craft were very limited.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello everyone! My name is Michaela Frank but mostly known as Frankiee On The Beat. I was actually never interested in becoming a makeup artist shockingly. I really started makeup to help boost my confidence as I was getting older. Then my friends saw my skills improving and every once in a while I would practice on them or do their makeup up for a night out on the town and then the requests started becoming more and more frequent. With them posting on Instagram or Facebook and tagging me that started getting peoples attention and I started getting DMs from mutual friends for me to do their makeup for a party, concert, birthday shoot, etc. I did that for a few months and a friend of mine started her modeling career and had a fashion show and she wanted me to do her makeup for it. As I’m doing her makeup some of the other girls started walking up and would ask me if I could do theirs as well. Super unexpected because I was still in the phase of not being confident in my work so it was very surprising to me that other people were volunteering themselves. After that my friends really pushed me to take makeup more seriously and now here I am!

I provide makeup services for weddings, fashion shows, professional photo shoots, collaborative work, and any other personal leisures. My goal is to bring my clients visions to life. I want those brides on their special day to feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. I want to help bring those thoughts from designers out of their sketch pad to real life. That is what sets me apart I think. I do what I do for those reactions you get when you had them the mirror and they want to burst out in tears from happiness or that look of shock from designers because its exactly what they wanted.

Being from St. Louis and getting recognition from across the state is more than I could ever ask for. I truly love what I do and I’m appreciative of all the opportunities that have come my way and will continue to come. I never thought this is where I would be when I started 7 years ago.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Honestly, word of mouth is the best form of marketing. When you provide quality work your clients want to return and when people ask for recommendations you could possibly be the first person they recommend.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I know I talked about it a little before but it seriously is that satisfaction from clients. I feel as if you get a service from someone that is just in it for money then just the experience doesn’t feel the same. Money is just a plus for me. I used to be that girl that wanted to feel pretty on those special days and to be able to provide that for someone is the best reward.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Frankieeonthebeat
• Other: TikTok:__frvnkiee__

Image Credits
ZeCora Smith Danny Bourne