We were lucky to catch up with Malora Johnwell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Malora, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Absolutely, Thank you again for having me. It is my passion to help and teach others.

I discovered this passion of mine when I was a beauty advisor at a Sephora many years ago. I had already been involved in the beauty industry with the modeling agencies that I was associated with, however it wasn’t until I was able to be one-on-one with clients, with real life beauty concerns and the eagerness to learn.

I got so much pleasure working with clients, by applying and showing them how to recreate the makeup looks desired, and also by educating them on their skin type, makeup products, and giving them the tools needed to recreate and feel their most confident and beautiful.

It was while working there when I came into contact with a client who was getting married. After spending a good amount of time with her, she asked me about doing her makeup for her wedding. I hadn’t done anything like that before and I was hesitant to accept.

I was nervous to accept her offer, seeing this day is a very important day and I didn’t want to mess it up in anyway possible.

Despite my nervousness, I accepted her offer. Besides, how would I know it’s the right decision if I never make it? I would never experience personal growth, if I fear taking chances. So I did. And I’m so glad that I took the chance!

I yet again discovered how rewarding it was to be part of such am important milestone in another persons life and to help create beautiful, lifelong memories.

The amount of time I was on my feet and with the bride, was a lot different to what I was used to coming from working with clients for 30minutes or less and not really having the time to build a relationship with them.

As a bridal makeup artist, I play a really important role on their big day. 99% of the time, I am the first to come into contact with the bride and/or be the first onsite. It’s part of my job to set the tone and make sure the bride feels her most beautiful.

Each and every wedding that I am part of is so meaningful to me!

I am honored each and ever time to be given the opportunity and trust to be part of something so meaningful and special.

Malora, 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 Malora Johnwell and I am a native to Phoenix Arizona. My husband and I met in high school and have been together for 15 years and married since 2013. We just welcomed our 4th child into the world this past June. We have 1 daughter and now 3 boys. I love being a mom and wife and am thankful for my family and the joy they bring me. Besides these titles and being called mommy and babe, I am also a seasoned Luxury Makeup Artist.

I have been doing makeup since I can remember. I started to get more serious and passionate about makeup while I was in high school and part of the dance group. Growing up I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup and the closest I came to being exposed to it was when I would watch my mother apply hers each day. While in high school, I got a free pass since I was in Dance and was finally able to have fun with makeup. That’s where my love story with makeup began.

Out of high school I started to work at a modeling agency whom I also modeled for. In addition to that, I also worked for companies such as Sephora, Anastasia Beverly Hills, and agencies that include Barbizon Modeling Agency, Southwest Modeling and Talent Agency, Casablanca Modeling Agency and The young agency here in Phoenix. Not only did I have the ability to work with makeup and be creative, I was also in these environments to educate and perform.

I get so mush pleasure teaching and educating others about makeup and all that goes along with it like how to apply it and creating a personal makeup wardrobe to use on a daily basis. I am a strong believer and express to each and every one of my clients that their makeup is only going to look as good as their skin is. So educating them about their skin and the importance of skincare is always a must for me.

I have some clients that have no knowledge on their skin and/or makeup and have true skin concerns they need help with. And then I have those who are just in need of a makeup artist for events they’re apart of. However, not all clients that come to me need help learning the newest and latest trends and styles, I have clients that come to me to learn how to cover scars, unwanted tattoos, temporary skin defects/problems due to pregnancy etc. Working with these clients is so rewarding to me and I feel like I truly am making a difference in these peoples lives by helping them get their confidence and stride back.

I believe that it is all of this that sets me apart from other awesome makeup artist here in Phoenix. Along with being one that travels to my clients most of the time and using only the best products. I spend a quality amount of time communicating with my clients prior to their booking asking questions and learning about them and their skin, health and beauty wants and needs.

I am owner to Stop & Envy Makeup LLC and offer services anywhere between: daily makeup application, to bridal makeup (which is what I get booked for the most.) I also offer hairstyling services, facial waxing and am a certified eyelash extension tech with Xtreme Lashes.

I absolutely love and am honored to work with brides on their big day and with helping to create beautiful, lifelong feelings and memories with them. I not only get the privilege to work with these clients on their big day, but sometimes also during other beautiful milestones in their life such as, maternity photoshoots, job promotions which involves them getting headshots done for their company etc.

I love what I do and hope to continue to do it for many many years. I hope one day to even turn my passion and my business into a family ran business, where I get best of both worlds and have my family around working with me everyday.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Being a self taught creative/Makeup artist, all I had/have are educational resources such as books, videos, and courses that I have invested in to stay in the know and keep my skill sharp.

In the very beginning I had books such as “Making Faces” by Kevyn Aucoin, and”5 minute face” by Carmindy who was featured on TLC show “What not to wear.”. Just to name a couple, I also had the privilege of speaking with Carmindy at a young age and got some advice and guidance from her personally.

I did a lot of personal research and studying on the topic of makeup and skincare and incorporated what I learned into my classes that I instructed at the modeling agencies I worked with.

Fast forward to today, there is so much content available on the internet now a days and support groups that it can be a little overwhelming at times.

I still to this day partake in many educational courses/workshops that other artist conduct. I never want to stop learning and taking in knowledge that is going to benefit me and my business.

Some courses that I have invested in that have had a positive impact to my management and entrepreneurial thinking include an inner circle group put together by Celebrity makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, In this group, she offers educational courses through her “Elite Makeup Artist Blue print” and “The art of Enhancement.” She offers so much more than “makeup tips” and really takes time and shares how to become successful within your own business on many levels. In her “inner circle group” we have a live weekly Q&A, where as a group we discuss and support each other on an array of topics, also a Live masterclasses each month that features a new guest artist each time.

Another resource I greatly benefit from is a group called “The makeup Lovers International”. This is a group where I not only get to learn different makeup styles, each artist signature look and techniques from many amazing makeup artist from all over the world. After completion of the individual workshops by each artist, you receive a certification for completion and mastering the new skill/technique.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Besides the goal of one day having my family work with me and evolving my bridal makeup business into more of a family business, the mission that continues to drive my creative journey is bringing brides vision to live and make them feel their most beautiful and confident on such a day of importance.

As previously mentioned, being part of such a beautiful milestone in another persons life is extremely rewarding and an honor. The way clients eyes light up and how they sit up a little more straight after seeing themselves in their makeup application, lets me know I’ve done it! Each and every beautiful client I have the privilege working with , helps me bring my vision and mission to life and I thank each and every one of you, previous and future clients.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/malorajohnwellmakeup
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/malorajohnwellmakeup
• Yelp: www.yelp.com/stop&envymakeup