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

Kyle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

The biggest thing my parents have given to me that I’ve taken into my own business practices was the value of a dollar.

We grew up lower middle class suburbanites for majority of our adolescence-always had a nice house and a warm meal, but extremities with funding was never something my siblings and I would hold our breath for.

This forced our parents into a corner of survival-and boy did they do the damn thing.

From coupon clipping with tight budgets to still managing to plan a family vacation every few years by the skin of their teeth, they showed me how to appreciate what you had and how to make your money work for you.

I remember every halloween growing up-fantasizing of the different characters and creatures I could be. Combing the rackety aisles of Spirit until finding something magic. And while the price tag of these costumes and accessories would always send us home empty handed, my mom had already taken hundreds of mental pictures. She took them to the thrift stores and fabric aisles to construct by hand our entire costume, head to toe, required tools and accessories included.

Every year I saw her work her budget magic, and I take those skills with me to every kit restock trip. I find materials and tools in unlikely, but often more affordable places.

And to have that skill, in this economy? Priceless.

Kyle, 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?

I am a Makeup Artist that specializes in the enhancement or transformation of features to follow brief either set by clients or constructed myself.

With over a decade of experience, my clients can feel at ease in my chair knowing my kit is fully inclusive to all shades, tones, and textures of skin.

My expertise include editorial fashion, runway, event, and commercial makeup and my resume has high caliber shows including NYFW, Color of Fashion, and DFW where I’ve held both artist and lead positions. My work can be found in multiple publications including 303 Magazine and Mob Journal.

I want you to know that I will use everything in my kit, belt, and self to make sure you leave my chair looking and feeling like a star. No one will be turned away due to lack of knowledge or products on my part.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think the biggest thing I’ve found in sharing my story with non-creatives is that they rarely understand the struggles that we as creatives put up with. Not only physical and financial, but the mental hurdles we overcome with creating something as an extension of ourselves and then putting it on display to be criticized and judged forever.

They don’t understand how I would rather take a late payment on a credit card bill and pay it later if it means I can stock on a new product dropping I can use on a shoot I’m working, They don’t really click with my “money comes and goes, but art is forever” mentality.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

My most rewarding aspect as a creative, and I think especially in my particular niche, is having someone leave my chair and feel like they have been seen and heard. I want them to look in my kit and see products for THEIR skin. When they have that look on their face, I get so renewed in my mission and my energy.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: ohwowkyle

Image Credits
Dane Ohlrogge Sheri Angeles Anetta Odnoralova