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

Hi Ryan , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I took the biggest risk by believing in myself. If I never took the leap of faith and quit my job I wouldn’t have known all that I was capable of and wouldn’t have accomplished all that I have. always bet on yourself !

Ryan , 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 Ryan Slaughter. I’m a 31 year old Makeup Artist/Business Owner. I’ve been in business doing makeup for 9 years. Like most little girls I grew up with an eye for everything fabulous! I loved everything about dressing up, and getting ready. I would always do my dolls hair and makeup, even my own. So from a very young age I knew I’d work in the beauty industry.

Being a makeup artist I get to provide more than just makeup services! I’d like to think when my clients sit in my chair they feel cared about, we talk , catch up, laugh. I’m kinda like a beauty therapist. The bulk of my work is doing makeup, but I also provide special effects and theatrical makeup as well. I do beauty consultations and I offer makeup classes.

The problems I solve for my clients aren’t really problems. But I will say there is a big difference in when they first sit in my chair to when they are done. There is a certain confidence they leave with . And I absolutely love it. I tell everyone I’m a beauty enhancer. I simply enhance my clients natural beauty!
I truly believe everyone is beautiful without makeup. But my makeovers simply remind them of how beautiful they are. As women we are literally everything to everyone. Moms, wives, sisters, daughters, friends. Not mention work and career holders. Being those things it’s easy to forget about ourselves and get caught in the day to day. So giving that confidence back is so fulfilling. I can not tell you how many times I’ve heard “that’s me!?”
With a matching smile I say “yes ma’am!”

I specialize in natural makeup, what I feel sets me aside from other artists is I don’t cake on makeup. My clients love the fact that my makeup application is light weight and they still get up from my chair looking like themselves. I’m a makeup artist for all but most of my clients are business professionals. Women that are Lawyers, Doctor, Nurse Practitioners, Business Owners, Authors, Brides, Sororities, even Celebrities . So giving them a certain kind of look is important to me.

I’m most proud of my business being based off of referrals, 98% of my business is through word of mouth. That means they are telling their friends and those friends are telling their friends! And I’m so thankful to have such an amazing network of women as my circle of clients! They really look out for me! I’m so very thankful!

I started off 10 years ago learning the art of makeup through 10 sec video clips on instagram. Then I taught myself from YouTube. I then took a leap of faith and quit my job to focus on my craft and invested in learning from one of the most prestigious celebrity makeup artist in the business! I’m not claiming to know everything and I’m still learning but I did not give up.

My persistence got me over hundreds of reoccurring clients, worked on Disney Juniors production of The lion King, worked on Tyrese Gibsons Black excellence Video, I’m the official Makeup Artist for Sweat Pretty Athletic Wear for Just Jai Wear, I’m the official makeup artist for Signa Tau Sigma and a host of other accolades!

I’m also a beauty consultant, I meet with clients at their favorite makeup store and help them pick out everything they need to complete their beauty routine. I also teach self makeup application via 1 on 1 classes and group settings!
Soon I will be launching my very own cosmetic line Fanelli Faces !

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Knowing that my actual work is bringing joy to people. Getting to watch their confidence grow and seeing their faces with big smiles and knowing that me and my work helped them in some way.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

My job isn’t easy! Although I love it and wouldn’t trade it for the world and all it’s riches. It’s not easy! I have to assess skin texture (is this persons skin dry oily or combination) , face shape( circle, oval, hear shaped), face size (big, small) , eyelid shape and size ( are their eyelids hooded, small, or big ) match foundation shades( which require knowledge of shades and under tones cools, warms, and neutrals.) So much goes into makeup application. If you use the wrong kind of foundation it can dry out your clients skin and ruin the look. Also working with people I have to maintain a certain level of professionalism. And sometimes that requires me to tell the client my professional opinions and that isn’t always received well. . Fortunately for me I haven’t had any mishaps when it comes to my opinions and for that I’m thankful my clients trust me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @fa_nelli