We were lucky to catch up with Isabella Nolen recently and have shared our conversation below.
Isabella, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
I truly believe that who I am today, both personally and professionally, starts with my parents. I was raised in a home where passion was encouraged, creativity was celebrated, and hard work was simply a way of life. They never placed limits on what I could dream or pursue; instead, they supported anything and everything I loved to do, always gently pushing me to give it my absolute best. That kind of unwavering belief in me shaped not only my confidence, but also the way I approach my business today.
I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and business owners, so from a young age, I had a front-row seat to what it really means to build something from the ground up. I watched my parents pour their time, energy, and hearts into their work with such dedication, and it left a lasting impression on me. Their work ethic wasn’t just something they talked about, it was something they lived every single day. Seeing that consistency and drive inspired me to want to create something of my own one day.
My mom played such a special role in shaping my love for beauty. She was a model when she was younger and worked for Estée Lauder, while also owning a fabulous interior design business, so I grew up surrounded by makeup, glam, and all the fun, feminine details that come with that world. Some of my earliest memories are of watching her get ready or being fascinated by her products, and that naturally sparked my interest in becoming a makeup artist. At the same time, my dad, who owned his own engineering business, brought a completely different but equally important influence. He’s incredibly creative and artistic, and he always encouraged me to explore that side of myself. Whether it was enrolling me in art classes or simply reminding me to embrace my creativity, he made sure I never lost that part of who I am.
Because I was homeschooled, I had the unique opportunity to start building my business at a young age. When I was just a junior in high school, I did my very first wedding, a moment that felt so surreal at the time. My parents were right there beside me, helping me gather everything I needed, from makeup supplies to the confidence to take that leap. They didn’t just support my dream, they actively helped me build it. That kind of support is something I will never take for granted.
Looking back, I can see how every piece of my upbringing led me here. My parents are the sweetest, most loving people I could have ever asked for, and I feel incredibly blessed to have been raised by them. Their encouragement, their example, and their belief in me gave me the foundation to chase my passion and turn it into a business I love. Everything I’ve built is, in so many ways, a reflection of everything they poured into me.
Isabella, 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 journey into the beauty industry really began long before I ever picked up a makeup brush professionally. I’ve always had a deep love for art, it was my first creative outlet and something I felt naturally drawn to from a young age. For a long time, I actually believed I would pursue painting and attend art school. But as I grew older, that passion evolved into something more specific. I discovered makeup, and everything just clicked. It became the perfect blend of artistry, connection, and transformation, and I knew that was the path I was meant to follow.
I went on to attend Paul Mitchell The School Memphis, where I earned my cosmetology license and began building a strong foundation in both beauty and professionalism. From there, I continued investing in my education by traveling to places like Los Angeles and Atlanta to learn from some of the best in the industry. I trained in film and editorial makeup in Los Angeles, and in Atlanta I had the opportunity to take classes from Marvel movie makeup artists as well as a world-renowned bridal makeup artist. Those experiences expanded my skillset tremendously and helped pave the way for opportunities within the media and bridal industries.
Over time, I’ve really fallen in love with the luxury side of makeup. I’m especially drawn to brands like NARS, Charlotte Tilbury, Dior, Chanel, and Giorgio Armani Beauty. These products not only perform beautifully but also elevate the overall experience for my clients. When someone sits in my chair, I want them to feel like they’re receiving a truly luxurious, elevated service from start to finish.
At the heart of my work is a passion for creating timeless, elegant beauty. I’m not focused on trends that come and go, I want my clients to look back at their photos years from now and still feel just as beautiful as they did in that moment. My goal is always to enhance what’s already there, bringing out a refined, polished version of each person’s natural beauty. There’s nothing more rewarding to me than seeing someone leave my chair feeling confident, radiant, and completely themselves, just elevated in the most effortless and classic way.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Social media has truly become the heart of how people find me and connect with my business. In many ways, it’s my modern version of word-of-mouth. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with so many incredible clients, and through social platforms, their experiences naturally get shared, whether it’s friends of friends, family recommendations, or someone stumbling across my work while searching for a specific bridal look. It’s created this beautiful ripple effect where my work continues to reach new people, even beyond my local area, and I now regularly have clients travel or book me from out of town after finding me online.
That being said, building my presence didn’t happen overnight. It took a few years of really discovering my brand and understanding how I wanted to represent myself, not just as an artist, but as a person. Once I leaned into who I truly am, everything started to feel more aligned. I’ve always loved soft, feminine, fairytale-inspired aesthetics, those dreamy, “fairy princess” vibes, and I realized that naturally translated into my work in the beauty industry. At the end of the day, so many women want to feel beautiful, special, and even a little bit magical, and I love being able to bring that feeling to life through my artistry.
I’ve also found that having a clear niche has been incredibly powerful. My focus on timeless, elegant, and effortless beauty has helped attract the exact clients who are looking for that style. Many of them discover me through hashtags or by searching for a specific aesthetic that resonates with them, especially in the bridal space. At the same time, I always want potential clients to know that while I specialize in classic, refined looks, I have the versatility to create whatever vision they may have. That balance has allowed me to grow both creatively and professionally.
More than anything, social media has allowed me to build genuine connections. It’s not just about posting photos, it’s about sharing my work, my passion, and a glimpse into the experience I provide. That connection builds trust before a client even sits in my chair, and I think that’s a huge part of why my business has continued to grow. It’s been such an incredible tool, and I’m so grateful for the way it’s helped me turn my passion into something that reaches and impacts so many people.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
More than anything, I truly believe my reputation in the beauty industry has been built on kindness. Skill and artistry are so important, but the way you make people feel will always stay with them longer than anything else. From the moment someone meets me, I want them to feel welcomed, comfortable, and completely at ease. Sitting in my chair isn’t just about getting your makeup done, it’s about feeling cared for, seen, and confident in who you are. I want every client to walk away not only feeling beautiful on the outside, but uplifted on the inside as well.
A huge part of that comes from my faith. I always strive to let the light of Jesus shine through me in everything I do. It’s not something I force, it’s simply how I try to live my life and treat others. Leading with love, patience, and genuine care has shaped how I interact with every client, and I truly believe people can feel that. It creates a sense of trust and warmth that goes beyond the service itself, and I think that’s been a big part of how my reputation has grown over time.
I’ve also found that when you lead with that kind of heart, it naturally attracts the right people. The clients who sit in my chair often share that same appreciation for kindness, positivity, and authenticity, and it creates such a special environment. It never feels transactional, it feels meaningful. That’s always been so important to me.
At the end of the day, I want to be known for more than just beautiful makeup. I want to be known for how I treat people, how I make them feel, and the energy I bring into every interaction. If someone leaves my chair feeling more confident, more at peace, and truly valued, then I know I’ve done what I set out to do, and that, to me, is what has built my reputation the most.
Image Credits
Shelby Renee photo
Madeline Rose Photography
Mykenzie Alexis Photography
Morgan Newsom Photography