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

Alright, Darcie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

It has taken quite a few years to earn a living full time as a Makeup Artist. There are so many ways you can earn money doing this but few are able to make it their sole form of income. I started out in retail, working the makeup counters from department stores to high end department stores. During that time, I figured out that I am service oriented and not so much product sales. I enjoy the transformative nature of my job and not necessarily the numbers.

So to diversify, I built up my portfolio by sometimes doing free shoots. I did make sure the shoot/model/concept and photographer were on same page as far as results. This was a super creative time in my life. I was trying to find the balance between creative/dramatic makeup and clean/editorial looks that are essential to find agency representation.

Once I felt I had a good portfolio, I submitted to agencies and was signed with AM Studios/Pastorini-Bosby in 2003 and again with Page Parkes in 2008. I remain one of the only Makeup Artists signed to 2 agencies in the same city.

I also diversified by studying face painting, body makeup, special effects and elevated my skills to a basic one stop shopping makeup service.

I also have worked in the theater. I have been a Principal Makeup Artist for the Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera for 12 years. Being able to work shows on weekends/nights allows me to work both day and night. Its not for everyone, but I am determined to do makeup for a living and in order to maintain revenue, there are sometimes 15 hour days consecutively with little or no sleep.

Oh and I have a family, too.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

i have been in the industry over 20 years, my first makeup job was in 2000. I was working at the local mall in College Station, Tx while earning a degree in Geology.

Then makeup took over. It was a fire in my belly, and I went full force into exploring that as a career.

After 8 years of traveling with makeup lines and headlining events, I focused on service based makeup versus retail. It made me a lot happier as an artist. Its been that way ever since.

I provide services in basic makeup, Bridal makeup, makeup lessons (group and private), body paint, face paint, special effects, airbrush makeup, Halloween and theatrical makeup.

I think what sets me apart from other artists is my skill set, comfort level, diversity of services and I listen to my clients. I try and give them exactly what they want from their appointment.

I want people to know that although this is a job, its a choice. It fulfills me as a person and it feeds my family. Not many people can say that. I truly love what I do.

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

I love that I chose my passion as a career. You know you can be good at more than one thing in life…I chose the crazy, roller coaster job of makeup versus a comfy, 9-5’er with benefits and a salary. I have the liberty of doing what I love to do every day of work. That gives me unique perspective on life and into situations. I have integrity in regard to pursuing this as a job no matter what, and there have been many rough times, and likely will be in the future. Nothing is fail safe. But I am happy doing it. Teaching my kids that following your passion is best decision you can make for yourself and not for anyone else’s idea if what you SHOULD do. My job is not practical, and I didn’t become a Makeup Artist overnight. It took time and dedication. If it isn’t hard, it’s not worth doing. Better yourself, challenge yourself. That’s always been my motto.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my social media profiles, organically. I will not pay for”bots” or followers. I use hashtags and tags only to grow audience. I manage them myself, which makes it easy to add content.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: MAKEUPBYDARCIE
• Facebook: Makeup By Darcie

Image Credits
Image credits: Select Studios Ashkan Image Lynn Lane Sarah Miller

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