We recently connected with Kayla Jones and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kayla, thanks for joining us today. Before we talk about all of your success, let’s start with a story of failure. Can you open up about a time when you’ve failed?

There was a time where I was working with Anastasia Beverly Hills in Sephora. Typically we just show mini tutorials on how to use the products, but this day I ended up doing a full glam on a client. I did a make up look that I thought would look best on her based on her face features and age. Once I completed the look, and she went to go check out with her final products, I saw her in the corner of Sephora wiping the entire makeup off that I just it did. I was second-guessing myself thinking was my technique bad, did I make her feel ugly? I just felt like a terrible make up artist that day. As she was leaving, I saw her grab a super colorful eyeshadow palette, and I realized in that moment, it wasn’t my make up style or technique. Where I failed was the fact that I didn’t ask her how she likes her make up or what her preference is. I chose the look myself and gave her a neutral glam. From her choosing the colorful eyeshadow palette it showed me that she was more into colorful make up looks. I took that moment as a learning lesson to always ask the client what their make up style preference is before completing a glam.

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

I am a full time freelance makeup artist in Atlanta. I initially got into make up at a very young age and was obsessed with it. I grew up watching YouTube tutorials instead of cable TV shows. I was blessed to have my mother who worked at Mac for years while I was growing up. She would have all the newest make up from Mac. It was an endless supply of make up to play with. In my free time, I would watch make up tutorials and execute them using her makeup, but I never thought about pursuing it full time. Once I graduated high school, I continued on to college at Georgia State University to pursue a marketing degree, I was still unsure about my career pathway, but I knew I enjoyed marketing. During that time I had many different jobs. From working for an online hair company running their social media, to working with Anastasia Beverly Hills. That’s where I initially started my make up career. I knew I enjoyed doing make up, but I didn’t enjoy the work setting which I was in because it was based off sales. My mom would have me join her occasionally to do weddings when she needed a second make up artist and that’s where I really started to blossom. In 2021, on my last year of college, I started my freelance journey. What I think sets me apart from other make up artist in my industry, is my signature soft glam style. I focus on a glowy airbrush skin base while also giving a snatched look. I am most proud of sticking to my signature style not feeling pressured to do what’s popular on Instagram and really honing in on my niche, which is natural soft make up. I plan to continue on this make up journey in hopes to create my own make up brand that will be sold in Sephora/Ulta.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source to get new clients for me is social media. Years ago the ways to get clients used to be by either having an official website, running ads, or simply word-of-mouth. Word-of- mouth and recommendations are definitely a great way to get new and also repeating clients, but to further broaden your clientele social media has been one of my best ways to get in contact with those who aren’t close to me. Without social media, I wouldn’t have been able to book weddings in other cities or states. You’re able to showcase your work that can be seen by thousands or even millions of people. Hashtags are a must on posts for a business or company. Adding specific hashtags, for example #atlantamakeupartist, makes it easier for clients to find your work.

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

Having great customer service and connecting with my customers has helped me build my reputation within my market. I’m there to complete the service, but also to make it a memorable and pleasant experience for the client. With being a make up artist, you are at many times doing their make up for a special occasion. That special occasion could be a wedding, a birthday, or a special event. Just by being kind, having great customer service, and pleasing their preferences makes a huge difference. There are many people who do make up and do it well, but what can make you stand out from the next make up artist is your customer service!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @kay.faces

Image Credits
Jay Wiggs JLavii Darius Voncel