We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angela. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angela below.

Angela , appreciate you joining us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

I knew from working at Aveda and with clients in a hands on manner that I was VERY interested in Makeup. The moment I realized this, I told a co-worker who strongly urged me to apply at Nordstrom to get the most experience and training I could in this position. While I loved working with Aveda, I knew this was a change I’d have to make if I wanted to truly become a makeup artist. I applied and got the job working for Bobbi Brown and absolutely loved it! I was able to gain the experience necessary with so many different skin tones and types. After about a year, I met a client who’d asked me to do her makeup for her wedding. I was not sure I was ready, but she assured me I was the one she wanted to work with. My intuition (something I’d often mistaken for fear) was urging me to do it. I’m so glad I did, because after just that one wedding, I knew this is what I wanted to do forever! I started taking weddings as often as possible. I built a website, emailed other artists and planners, anything I could do to book more! Eventually I was able to quit my day job and do it full time. The best leap I ever took!

Angela , 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?

After 16 years in the industry, I work primarily with eloping brides and athletic companies doing both hair & makeup. I realized my point of difference, being of mixed race, was my ability and comfortability working with different skintones and hair textures. In this space (weddings & athletic companies), I get to work with such a wide variety of different people and it not only allows my creativity to really flow as no two days are alike, but it makes me feel valued with my specific skill set and craft.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes! I know this is a space I not only have total control over, not only with what clients I take, but how much I grow and move in my business, but it’s one of the only jobs I have every had that is so totally aligned with my creative purpose. I do not belong in an office, I belong in a space that allows me create, that allows me to be an artist.

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

I had to unlearn what I call “the hourly think”. I’ve hustled since I was 14 years old and I always thought of income as something you earn on an hourly basis ($12/hour, $20/hour, etc). I had a boss years ago tell me something I received as quite harsh at the time, but something I cherish now looking back. She said “Angie, you will NEVER become successful until you stop thinking in hours and start thinking in worth.” She told me this right before declining my ask for an increase in hourly pay. I left confused and let down, but that was the greatest gift she could have ever given me. I owe her my career!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.MakeupArtistAngela.com
• Instagram: @MakeupArtist.Angela
• Other: TikTok: @Angie.Allday

Image Credits

Photographers: Brittney Couture, Between The Pine, Precor, Carly Bish