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

Hi Jestine, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Learning how to do makeup was a bit of a process. I still laugh at all the mistakes and breakdowns I had along the way(even though then it wasn’t so funny) Makeup wasn’t really big in my house. The most I seen my mom and older sister use was eyeliner and mascara. But one day I can across a YouTuber name Alyssa Forever and was so in awe because I never knew makeup can go so far and that day on I knew that was something I wanted to do.

Knowing what I known now there’s nothing I could have done to speed up the process. The ups and down; the trials and errors are vital to the learning process. And to get the best results you have endure difficulties to achieve the best results.

As a makeup artist , several skills are essential to excel in the field, but the 3 I find important are Adaptability, Product Knowledge & Client Communications. You need to be able to work with different faces, skin types, and styles, while also being able to think outside the box for unique looks. Also Knowing different makeup products, their uses, and which ones work best for different skin types is vital. And lastly being able to understand and fulfill a client’s wishes, while also providing professional advice and suggestions, is key for client satisfaction.

The biggest obstacle that stood in the way was me. I’ve dealt with self-doubt and confidence issues. As with any creative field, self-doubt can be a significant obstacle. Especially being self taught you feel like you’re always making mistakes. I also was very hard on myself because I kept comparing my journey to others. But over time with more experience and knowledge I realized that every journey is different. And the path I took was always meant for me no matter what and I’m truly proud of where I’m at today.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi, my name is Jestine Miyanna and I am a self taught MUA. I create content and have collaborated with many brands along my journey. I love being a creator because it allow my inner world to become my outer world and I and able to bring those images to life. This year I’m manifesting big opportunities with bigger brands. I want to take my content to the nexts level and come out my bubble and really show the world how much I have learn, grew and change. I’m so proud that I never gave up on myself because this journey can be frustrated and a bit lonely; but it’s all worth it in the end when you start to see your dreams true. I want people to know that believing in yourself is the most important part of being a creator no matter the field. Because what you realize is people come and go but the love for your work will never change so you keep pushing forward no matter what because all that matter is how YOU feel about the work you are giving to the world.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative person is likely the ability to bring something entirely new into existence. The joy of creating something that didn’t exist before can be incredibly fulfilling. Additionally, the process of creation itself—exploring ideas, experimenting with different techniques, and seeing your vision come to life—can be deeply satisfying and fulfilling. And of course, there’s the joy of sharing your creations with others and potentially inspiring them in some way. Ultimately, the freedom to imagine, create, and share is what often makes being a creative person so rewarding.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal I to empower those who comes across my work. Makeup can be a powerful tool for self-expression. I love focusing on empowering my clients to express themselves through makeup, whether it’s bold and vibrant or subtle and elegant. I ways want you feeling like you’re the most confident version of yourself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jestinemiyanna
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/jestinemiyanna
• Other: www.tiktok.com/jestinemiyanna2