Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alyssa Womble Mays. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alyssa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Launching Makeup by Alyssa was a huge risk for me. I had just gotten out of grad school and was teaching full time. I have always loved beauty and being creative and the thought of launching my own business was scary. I had no clue what I was doing, other than the makeup, and had a vision of where I wanted to go but wasn’t quite sure how I’d get there.

To know me is to know I’m a professional overthinker. I think about everything and if everything wasn’t enough I analyze the details of everything and what it could be leaving no what if unexplored. I was afraid. Would anyone take me seriously? Would anyone want to be my client? Would people really be willing to pay to get their makeup done? Am I comfortable building a brand and communicating with people I don’t know? There were so many unknowns.

I truly believe that if your dreams aren’t scary then they aren’t big enough. I started small launching Makeup by Alyssa and I haven’t looked back since 2012. Building my own brand has taught me things that I would have never imagined and has been one of the best risks I’ve taken. I’ve met celebrities and worked with influencers. I’ve traveled and been behind the scenes of some of the most heartfelt moments for my clients and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Being a makeup artist is more than playing in makeup and trying the hottest new products. It’s inspired me and helped me spread joy and confidence in others behind the brushes and that, to me, was more than worth the risk.

Alyssa, 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 Alyssa Womble Mays and I am a makeup artist. To me, makeup is truly art and I specialize in helping my clients feel like their most beautiful self from the skincare and products applied to the conversations we have. There is nothing more beautiful than showing up and being confident and that is the mantra that drives my brand. Be bold. Be beautiful. Be YOU.

I am most proud of how far my artistry has taken me. Although I live in NC, I’ve traveled far beyond North Carolina to help others feel and look beautiful. My artistry has gone from coast to coast from the Carolinas to the DMV, California and Hawaii. I was inspired by my aunt who would often be booked for weddings and asked by friends and family to help with their makeup. I later expanded my craft to work part time at Sephora learning about skin care and the latest in makeup products and trends. Later, I expanded my artistry to learn under celebrity makeup artists Tatiana Ward and Renny Vasquez. I practiced on myself and friends every chance I got. I even started a Youtube channel to share my love of beauty with anyone who would listen. Twelve years later, I’m still sharing all things beauty through Makeup by Alyssa and social media.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Although it’s been 12 years since I launched my brand, I have had to unlearn, and I’m still learning to stop second guessing myself. I often tell my students “there is nothing that you can’t do” and I’ve started taking my own advice. Imposter syndrome is real and will have us thinking that we aren’t good enough, comparing ourselves to others around us or inauthenticity on the internet. God allows us to dream for a reason and with Him powered by grit there is truly nothing that I can’t do.

In my unlearning, I’ve launched a website, taught classes to help empower other creatives and beauty lovers, and traveled the world. If your dream or idea scares you don’t be afraid to do it anyway.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Makeup artistry is a fast paced and quickly changing industry. When the world shut down in 2020 I stopped taking clients. I was pregnant and scared and unsure of what to make of things that were going on in the world. Like many other creatives I had to pivot. I took the time to further explore my artistry, pushing myself to try new techniques. I met with clients online and held classes on Zoom to help those who wanted to feel a piece of normalcy by applying makeup and feeling beautiful, even if we were all stuck inside. This industry has truly taught me how to adapt and make the best of change, no matter what and I believe that’s why I’ve been able to stay in the industry for so long.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.makeupbyalyssaw.com
• Instagram: IG: @makeupbyalyssaw
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makeupbyalyssaw
• Other: TikTok: @makeupalywom
  Lemon8: @makeupalywom

Image Credits

In His Image Photography
Jeffrey Lynn Media
The Wandering Images
Chelsea Young Photography
Mahina Choy Ellis Photography