We were lucky to catch up with Marie Brenda Barthélémy recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Marie Brenda, thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
Yes, I’ve been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work — but it definitely didn’t start that way.
What I love most about my career is the versatility. One day I’m doing a luxury bridal glam, the next I’m on a 14-hour TV set as a Lead MUA. Then I’m at home turning my son into Avatar or the Grinch for Halloween. I’ve had the chance to create characters, work in film and television, do red carpets, destination weddings, celebrity clients, and now represent brands like YSL, Prada, and Miu Miu with L’Oréal Luxe. Every day is different — and that’s exactly what I built for myself.
But getting there was a process of really learning to trust myself.
I actually started working full-time at Sephora. I loved it, it gave me structure and experience — but at the same time, I was getting more and more contracts outside. At some point, I was juggling both… and let’s just say I was “calling in sick” a little too often because I was booked elsewhere. Eventually, they let me go.
And honestly? That moment changed everything.
It was the push I needed. I realized I was already working — I just wasn’t fully claiming it yet. So I made the decision to bet on myself and go all in.
That being said, it hasn’t always been easy. I live in Montreal, and the industry here is very seasonal. Winters can be slow, and there were moments where I questioned everything — financially, mentally, emotionally. Being self-employed in a creative field requires discipline, resilience, and a lot of faith, especially when things feel quiet.
Some of the biggest milestones for me were:
• Transitioning from retail to fully independent
• Getting my first TV and film contracts
• Becoming a Lead MUA on set
• Building a returning clientele (bridal, celebrity, repeat bookings)
• And stepping into brand partnerships at a luxury level
Looking back, could I have sped up the process? Maybe — by trusting myself sooner, by understanding business earlier, and by not waiting for “permission” to step into bigger rooms.
But at the same time, every step taught me something I needed.
If anything, my journey is proof that this career is possible — but it’s not linear. It’s about showing up, staying consistent, evolving, and really owning your value.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
I’ve always been an artist — before I even had the words for it.
Growing up, I was drawn to transformation. To beauty, to emotion, to storytelling. I didn’t just see faces… I saw potential, energy, identity. That’s why, to this day, I don’t really consider myself just a makeup artist. What I do goes far beyond makeup.
I create experiences. I shift how people see themselves.
My journey into the industry wasn’t linear or traditional. I started in retail at MAC and Sephora, where I built a strong technical foundation and quickly grew into a senior artist role. But even then, I knew I was meant for more. I was already working on the side — taking clients, building my name, saying yes to opportunities that stretched me creatively.
At some point, life forced me to choose — and I chose myself.
I stepped fully into my artistry, and from there, everything expanded. I moved into television and film, became a Lead Makeup Artist on set, worked with public figures, and built a clientele that ranges from luxury brides to celebrities and productions. Today, I’m also a proud ambassador for L’Oréal Luxe, representing iconic houses like YSL Beauty, Prada, and Miu Miu — which aligns perfectly with my love for luxury, elegance, and intentional beauty.
My work exists at the intersection of beauty, storytelling, and identity.
I offer a range of services — from luxury bridal and destination glam to film, television, editorial, and red carpet work. I also educate through masterclasses and mentorship, because I believe in passing on knowledge and elevating the next generation of artists.
But beyond the services, what I really offer is transformation.
A woman sits in my chair one way… and leaves differently. Not just because her makeup is done, but because she feels different. Seen. Elevated. Reconnected to herself.
That’s the “problem” I solve — I help people align their outer image with their inner power.
What sets me apart is my intention. My background as a life coach, my understanding of energy, my attention to detail, and my ability to truly connect with the person in front of me. Whether I’m on a film set at 5AM or with a bride on one of the most important days of her life, I bring the same level of care, presence, and excellence.
I’m also deeply proud of the spaces I’ve stepped into — from working on major television productions, to doing the makeup of influential figures, to being part of global luxury brands. Coming from where I come from, as a Black, plus-size woman, I carry representation with me in everything I do.
What I want people to know about me and my brand is this
I’m not here to just do makeup. I’m here to create impact — to redefine beauty standards, to remind people of who they are (sometimes before they even see it themselves), and to create spaces that inspire others to believe that a life built on passion is possible. That you can wake up to a career you once dreamed of, make a living doing what you love, and fully step into the vision you have for yourself.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My mission goes far beyond makeup.
Of course, I love beauty — I love the transformation, the artistry, the luxury of it all. But what really drives me is creating spaces where people feel permission to become who they’ve always envisioned themselves to be.
I want people to look at my life and think, “Wait… I can actually build something like that too?”
Because the truth is, I didn’t have everything figured out — and I still don’t. I’m building this life in real time. I’ve said yes while feeling scared, taken opportunities while feeling anxious, and trusted myself even when I didn’t have all the answers. But I kept going because I had a vision of something bigger.
My mission is to embody that.
To show that you can wake up to a life you once only imagined. That you can make a living doing what you love — not in a perfect, polished way, but in a real, evolving, human way.
And that becoming isn’t about having it all figured out… it’s about having the courage to keep choosing yourself at every level.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I think what people don’t always understand is how much of this journey is built in uncertainty.
From the outside, it can look glamorous — the sets, the celebrities, the luxury brands. But behind that, there’s a constant inner work happening. You’re making decisions without guarantees. You’re evolving in real time. You’re stepping into rooms before you feel “ready.”
You’re doing it scared… and still showing up.
Every new level brings a new version of you that you have to meet. New challenges, new doubts, new expectations. And there are moments where you have to pause and really ask yourself:
What does this new season require from me?
What do I need to let go of to grow into it?
That part is not always visible.
And with success also comes things people don’t talk about enough — like betrayal, or being placed on a pedestal you never asked to be on. Sometimes that can feel dehumanizing.
I remember a moment where I felt lost in my career, and I was opening up to a friend. I was vulnerable, just trying to be heard… and she told me, “Stop complaining — do you know how many people would love to have your life?”
And in that moment, I realized she wasn’t seeing me as a human being going through real trials and emotions… she was seeing the polished version — the luxury makeup artist, the image.
But the reality is, beyond the makeup and all the titles… I’m still human.
I’m still figuring things out. And that’s okay.
People don’t see the long hours of cleaning and sanitizing my brushes and my kit. Waking up at 3 or 4 AM. The physical toll — the back pain, the exhaustion. Missing important moments with my own family because I’m showing up to make someone else feel their best.
There are seasons of expansion… and seasons of silence. Moments where everything flows, and moments where you question everything. But it’s all part of the process.
What I’ve learned is that nobody truly has it all figured out. The difference is who’s willing to stay focused on the journey anyway. To keep showing up, to keep refining, to keep believing — even when things feel uncertain.
That’s the real work behind the beauty.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Dey Dey photographe