We were lucky to catch up with Marsha Page recently and have shared our conversation below.

Marsha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Being able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, and become a pro makeup artist, took a huge leap of faith. I juggled two careers at one point. One in the legal profession, as a corporate paralegal, and the other, as a Retail Makeup Artist for MAC Cosmetics. During this time, I also married and had my two daughters.

After my second daughter, Jordyn Danielle, was born, I left my position as a Senior Corporate Paralegal and began to pursue my career as a professional makeup artist in television and film. It was extremely scary and difficult to find work in the business. After a while, a friend suggested that I look into doing makeup for independent television, in one of the five NYC boroughs.

I called television stations in Queens and Brooklyn. Finally, my break came when BRIC TV (formerly Brooklyn Independent Media), gave me a chance to be the makeup artist for a television show that aired once a month, called HealthBeat Brooklyn. Once a month, turned into 5 days a week, when I was hired by BRIC to be the head of the makeup department of their flagship hyperlocal morning show, BKLIVE. It was here in Brooklyn that I finally earned a full- time living from my creative work and also a New York Emmy Nomination for designing the makeup for the show.

Marsha, 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?

Marsha Page, aka: The Melanin Therapist, is a New York based Emmy nominated professional makeup artist and beauty expert who specializes in the unique nuances,
shades, and undertones of melanated skin. Her makeup artistry goes well beyond the
surface to enhance the natural beauty of anyone sitting in her chair. Her desire is to
make her subjects feel confident and empowered in themselves and in their own
skin. The Melanin Therapist was born out of the desire to share her journey of
empowerment and self-love, through the passion for makeup artistry with all people of
color in the African diaspora.

With over 20 years of experience in the beauty and entertainment business, Marsha’s
work has been seen in national editorial campaigns, for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar Serbia, and in films such as A Thousand And One, The Week Of and The Photograph. Her television credits include God Friended Me, Wu-Tang: An
American Saga, City on a Hill , Prodigal Son and Succession. She has also participated in industry
events such as the Tribeca Film Festival, New York Fashion Week, and Bridal Fashion
Week, and is a member of I.A.T.S.E. Local 798 Hairstylists & Makeup Artists.

She is now coming out from behind the camera to empower and educate people of all
colors by serving them a unique experience – one that allows them to understand the
makeup and beauty artistry of gorgeous and glowing melanated skin. As Marsha herself
says… “The standard of beauty not only includes us, it begins with us…”

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the people that sit in my chair. My passion, emotional intelligence, and love for the craft, is felt by everyone that I am privileged to paint to face of. Whether it be beauty, fashion or character makeup, I do my very best to leave my clients happy, confident and educated.

I have had the most meaningful connections creating makeup with my actors or clients. I try not to ever let my ego ever get in front of the needs of my clients. I find a way to convey my professionalism, while making my clients feel comfortable and significant.

I love being a makeup artist most because of the connection that I have with people.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I don’t have a strong social media presence yet, by most standards. However, I have a steady and consistent following of brands, actors and everyday people that follow and engage with me on a regular basis.

My best advice is to be your most authentic self. People connect most to authenticity, I believe. Real connection. I have been blessed to have engaged with a lot of my followers personally, at events in person or through DM. It’s been amazing, so I don’t mind the slow growth of followers. What matters most to me is the authentic stories of the people and who I have an opportunity to help.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.marshapage.com
• Instagram: @marshapagemua
• Facebook: @marshapagemua
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@marshapageprofessional6294

Image Credits
Anthony Artis: Photographer