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

Dashawn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

How I learned was basically by sight I literally was just at home sitting doing nothing and being bored because you know back then I got kicked out of her school and I just went on YouTube and discover this one person by the name of Tatiana Ward. A.k.a. beat face honey, and the restless history. I was learning different make up techniques. I was learning different types of ways to get hired at Mac and everything she taught me is what I put down and footwork and honestly I could’ve done speed up the process nothing because sometimes the process takes time for you to really really hone in on your skill set, and it gives you time to really practice to be better at what you do skills that were more essential to me was basically my knowledge I needed to have the knowledge to just keep all the skills and check in you know perfected because naturally, I am a perfectionist, but at the same time sometimes it’s OK to mess up because if you don’t mess up, you don’t so that was like one of the skills, the skills of knowledge in the obstacle that my way from learning more is basically myself because I have went through the obstacle of depression, the obstacle of anxiety, you know the obstacle of physical endurance, because I started doing make up as a person that was overweight and not really taking my health in my life serious so I had to do a lot of soul-searching in order for me to keep going so that was basically the biggest obstacle was me

Dashawn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

What are the readers hello my name is Deshawn Russell and I am a Makeup Artist here in Connecticut I’ve been in the game of makeup artistry for about 14 years and I’m still going. Haven’t stopped yet I specialize in mostly fashion editorial make up. I use a lot of make up brands such as Mac cosmetics to to the most least expensive like elf cosmetics But I thought of Makeup Artist . I’m also a beauty influencer, so I love to do the latest reviews and use the latest products. The latest launches from make up brands being more creative in that spectrum doing more outrageous looks stepping on my comfort level as a Makeup Artist . Trying out new things for social media. I have the most amazing clients. you know they’re certain. Things you can help them with when it comes to learning different techniques and learning different things they can use on a regular basis you know whether it’s their eyebrows or coming up with a look for a date night that sort of thing literally sets me apart from everybody else’s that I’m a person that Likes to experience new things and learn more about My craft . and be better at it because there a lot of makeup parts that are around me to do the exact same thing, but you will never see them step outside the comfort zone. It’s always the same exact thing, I like to take it farther and learn a different technique once or twice and utilize that within my make up artistry to use Weather for a Photoshoot or music video or or a wedding or etc. what are most proud of is that I have made it so far within my career to reach such a big following and to give myself grace because this was not an easy journey and I’m just blessed to literally be where I wanna be in life that’s what I’m really most proud of i’m glad that I have a very nice clientele. I’m glad that I have a big following. I’m glad that people really want to learn from me and learn new things from me showing them what I like to do when it comes to Makeup Artist and is all as a beauty influencer. I’m also glad that a lot of beauty brands are recognizing me and wanting me to review their latest product and send me products for my clientele as for myself as well so I can honestly say that I’m truly blessed of the work that I have accomplished and done

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

The less that I had to unlearn was, if you want to make it in this industry, you have to be a certain size to get by and that’s the lesson I had to unlearn because with the backstory that I have, I was told that you’re too big to be a Makeup Artist maybe you should do something different andI literally just had to prove them wrong so I was asked to do makeup for Mary Clare magazine. I was asked to do New York fashion week I was an assistant Makeup Artist . I literally just had to prove them wrong so I was asked to do makeup for Mary Claire magazine. I was asked to do New York fashion week I was an assistant Makeup Artist for Mary Kay for the show project runway and at the time I was over 400 pounds

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

The most rewarding aspect of it is that you get to meet so many people and experience so much love and support and creativity that you have been creating just like everybody else’s. It’s about sharing the creativity and love that you have been doing for so long with people that are on the same mindset as you and basically building a community, so we can all thrive and be creative together

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/dashawnrussellbeauty_
• Youtube: Www.youtube.com/dashawnrussellbeauty
• Other: Www.Tiktok.com/daydaythemua