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

Alright, Kaila thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The hair and makeup industry is one that often preys on the insecurities of women. My goal has always been to lift up and highlight the individual to help them feel empowered and confident with or without the glam! As someone who grew up with a lot of insecurities around my skin, makeup was a tool (and often a mask), to hide the things I didn’t like to feel more confident in my skin. Looking back, although I am grateful for the avenue makeup gave me to feel better, I wish I had taken the time to do the hard work to love myself regardless. I aim to help others feel seen and safe when they’re in my chair whether for a wedding, a photoshoot, or a pageant.

Kaila , 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?

I started doing hair and makeup as a hobby in high-school and quickly it started to take off to being much more demanding of my time, money, and resources. I continued to keep hair and makeup as a side hustle but wanted to go to college for something else. I recieved a bachelor’s in Athletic Training and pursued that career for 7 years before deciding to step into full time business ownership doing hair and makeup. I’ve now been building my KM Hair + Makeup Artistry brand for over 16 years and have most experience in weddings, portraits, and pageants.

Most recently I’ve started an additional 2 sub brands:

The KM Pageant Pit Crew- a diverse glam team serving the pageant community with lessons, photoshoots, competitions, and appearances.

The Gleam Co.- a co-owned photography and glam portrait experience in Hagerstown, MD. Audrey Rouzer and I serve the pageant community offering one of a kind customized glam and portraits that highlight the hard work of each title holder.

I’ve also recently started to expand my hair and makeup experience by collaborating with Dash Talent Agency to offer hair and makeup for Dance Moms- A New Era season 2 after being featured in Season 1 doing a pageant hair and makeup look for one of the dancers.

I’ve also had featured bridal work in People Magazine and featured work with Miss Maryland at the Miss America national competition.

As a former Walt Disney Cast Member working in entertainment, I pride myself in top tier customer service and cultivating a unique and fun experience to help each individual feel safe and cared for. My background in anatomy has perfected my ability to help individuals not just “wear makeup”, but to truly enhance their natural features.

My brand focuses on long wear, powder based makeup with custom color matching and a commitment to my mission of empowerment, inclusion, and transformation.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Many people are against free or trade work as business owners. And while I agree that time is the most valuable currency, if you’re looking to build credibility and gain exposure to the right audiences, trade work with ideal clients can be beneficial. I’ve built all of my brands by working with the right people who not only reflect the ideal client I aim to book, but also have a following of individuals who also fit that narrative. Hair and makeup isn’t a “necessary” service. It’s a luxury, so you have to be able to showcase why someone would want and need to book with you. Also, just put yourself out there! Say yes to jobs that scare and stretch you, never stop learning and perfecting your craft, and always stay people focused. When you put the individual first, and not the service you’re providing, you will always grow your market organically. Referrals are everything!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media is an amazing tool for business owners. Especially hair and makeup artists! It’s a living resume. It not only shows the quality of the work you provide, but also is an opportunity for you to share who YOU are as a brand.
A client may book because they love your work, but often what tips them over the edge is if they feel like they also connect to you. Your social media is a powerful tool to gaining new clients and maintaing past ones by staying connected. The 2 biggest hang ups I see people face is overthinking social media. Done is better than perfect. And honestly, perfect doesn’t feel relatable.
The next, is that people leave themselves out of the brand and only shows the product/service. Hiding doesn’t highlight the uniqueness only you can offer. YOU are the brand and your voice matters!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Kmhmuartistry.wixsite.com/http
• Instagram: @km.hmuartistry
• Other: Other Instagram brand:
  @the.gleamco

Image Credits

Audrey Rouzer of The Gleam Co.
Taylor Webster Photography
Brandon Kari Productions
By Stephanie Velez Photography