Today we’d like to introduce you to Autumn Grace
Hi Autumn, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was little, my dream was to be a makeup artist. As time went on, things changed. When COVID happened, it shut down all the film sets – and not to mention that freelance makeup artistry isn’t stable starting out.
I wanted to be able to have a stable income, and have a place of my own.
My junior year of high school, I decided to go to cosmetology school. That way I would be able to expand myself as a business, and be able to do multiple services.
The thing was: I didn’t want to still be in Texas. I found the most affordable state with a good startup in cosmetology for that certain time period: Idaho. So, I moved to Boise after getting accepted into beauty school, only 3 months after I graduated high school.
I started working at Dime Salon 2 weeks after I received my licensure. Then I started working part time at SportClips to get a foundation for mens cuts.
Now in about 2 months, I will be moving to Las Vegas. There, I will be working on my associate’s in Registered Nursing. After I graduate, I plan to take courses to specialize in Aesthetics.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The struggles have probably been being so far away from people that I know. I didn’t think it would bother me at first. But, then you want to go out and try new things. Then you realize that you only have yourself to do that with. Which can be lonely sometimes. But I feel like it was a learning experience for me to not rely so much on other people.
Or when you’re on a student budget too. Finding things that aren’t majorly expensive, or having to say no to going out because you needed to wait til your next paycheck. Also being under 21, in a city where there is lots of nightlife – and when your friends are all 21+ – can be a challenge when trying to maintain those friendships.
When I first moved to Idaho, my coworkers at Ulta and the students at my school were the only people that I knew closest to me.
Also I didn’t really have the opportunity to go out that much at first. I was working and going to school 7 days a week straight.
I’ve gone kayaking by myself, hiked in sand dunes by myself – which are things that I never would have done alone before.
I’ve forced myself to do things that I never would have done alone, or go out and meet new people (which is hard for me sometimes because I’m kinda introverted.). I think that’s the biggest growth milestone that this experience of a bumpy road has brought to me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in blowouts/hairstyles, and makeup artistry.
The type of makeup I usually do is special occasion, or photoshoot makeup (quinces, birthdays, proms, maternities, etc.).
Sometimes, I’ll do bridal parties for makeup. If I know the client very well – I’ll do their bridal hair & makeup.
My favorite type of makeup artistry though, that I don’t get asked to do very often: is character makeup. Around halloween, I’ve done skeletons, face-painted koi fish. One time I did a full-face avatar makeup on myself. Things like that feed my creative side.
I would say the one thing that I like to try and set apart from others is being able to be professionally casual with my client. There’s still a professionalism guideline to maintain. However, not having that friendly banter or having your guard up too much I would say is how emotional connection is lost. Some people just don’t vibe, which happens all the time. But being able to be my true self with the client, I feel allows them to expose their truest selves. I want the client to be able to have a safe space that they might not have outside of the salon.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Everyone is always surprised that I’m 19 turning 20 this year. I think it’s because of how much I’ve done? I have no clue.
Or they’ll usually think I’m younger than that and that I’m still in school, partnering with the salon to “practice”. I’m like ahah no I am definitely graduated & licensed.
Also that I can speak and understand Spanish to a certain level. I grew up around Spanish speakers, so it kind of caught on, and I was able to learn it when I was little. I lost a lot of it, but can understand enough to be able to help someone book appointments, or help someone find a product that works for them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/agebeautyy/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theautumngracee/
