Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Matthew Allen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Matthew, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I started working in Beauty/Retail Cosmetics around 2007, after grad school at NYU while working as a dancer and performer and traveling the world doing Broadway shows. In my downtime, I worked at an upscale hair salon on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Along with selling hair products and skincare, I assisted clients post-hair service with subtle makeup touch-ups, featuring the salon’s own makeup collection. It was during that time I quickly realized I had not only a gift but also a deep passion for helping people look and feel more beautiful.
The theater has always been my first love because of its ability to tell stories and make people feel something—joy, inspiration, connection. In many ways, my work in beauty allows me to do the same thing. Whether it’s through the art of performance or the artistry of makeup, my goal has always been to enhance what’s already there and help people feel more confident, seen, and celebrated. There’s nothing more fulfilling to me than seeing someone glow because they feel beautiful, and I find sincere joy in creating and supporting those moments—whether on stage or in my makeup chair.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my career as a makeup artist. Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked on some of the most prestigious stages in the world—The Oscars, The Emmys, Golden Globes, New York Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week—and my work has been featured in publications like People, Elle, and Glamour. Those opportunities were incredible, and I’m deeply grateful for every moment I spent with Hollywood Red Carpets, New York City Runways, and even in Paris, working with some of the best talent in the industry.
But over time, I realized that what truly fulfills me isn’t just the glamour or the thrill of working with celebrities. What I find most rewarding is connecting with real women—women who aren’t walking a red carpet but who deserve to feel just as beautiful and confident in their everyday lives. That’s what brought me back home to Kansas City. I was on the road for about 3 years of my career. It was amazing to travel the US and Canada, but at the end of the day, I began to feel lonely- I needed to create something that was more meaningful. As cheesy as it sounds, I needed something that felt like it was more from my heart, not just my hands.
I started to notice a major gap in the beauty industry, especially for women of a certain age. These are women with the time and resources to invest in themselves but who often feel overlooked when it comes to beauty advice that’s personalized, sophisticated, and practical. I adoringly refer to these ladies as my Ageless Beauties. My business was born out of a desire to fill this gap. I have created something that goes beyond the typical “special occasion makeup” and instead focuses on building lasting relationships with my clients—helping them age gracefully and to embrace feeling glamorous, current, confident, and relevant! Something I hear often regarding Beauty, which always triggers me, is “Oh please, I’m way too old for that.”
Looking chic, beautiful, and on-point, especially “at a certain age,” is always going to be in-style. I’m here to help my clients learn how to make the right choices so that they can pull off any look they desire, at any age, for any occasion.
My approach is kind of like being an interior designer, but for the face. I work with my clients to redesign their beauty routines in a way that feels tailored to their needs, their lifestyle, and their comfort level. It’s about creating something bespoke, luxurious, and empowering. And while Kansas City may not have the runways of New York or the red carpets of L.A., I’m thrilled to bring everything I’ve learned from those experiences to elevate beauty right here at home.
At my Studio, I’m combining world-class artistry with a personalized touch that helps women rediscover their beauty—and I couldn’t imagine a better place to do it than the city that shaped me.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
For those who may not know me, my name is Matthew Allen, and I’m a Kansas City native with over 15 years of experience as a makeup artist. My career has taken me from New York City to Hollywood, and even to Paris Fashion Week, where I’ve worked with some of the most prestigious events, publications, and artists in the beauty industry. While I’m deeply grateful for those incredible opportunities—like working backstage at The Oscars and collaborating on global fashion campaigns—I’ve always been drawn to the transformative power of beauty and the way it makes people feel. That passion has led me to where I am today.
I specialize in creating bespoke beauty experiences that go far beyond special occasion makeup. My focus is on building lasting relationships with my clients to help them feel confident, sophisticated, and empowered at every stage of life. I noticed a significant gap in the market for women of a certain age—women who want to embrace aging with grace, glamour, and individuality but often lack access to tailored, practical beauty solutions. My services are designed to fill that need.
Think of me as your Private Chef, but not to fill your tummy, more so to beautify your face. My ingredients are beauty products. Similar to a chef, I will sit with you, learn your favorite flavors/foods, shop for you to find the perfect ingredients to suit your taste, then meet with you again and teach you how to cook your most favorite meals, when you never thought you could! Basically, I help my clients redesign their beauty routines to reflect who they are today, offering personalized consultations, product recommendations, and hands-on education. Whether it’s teaching someone how to enhance their natural beauty for everyday life or curating a routine that simplifies and elevates their style, my goal is to make beauty approachable, luxurious, and deeply personal.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I believe my reputation within the market has been built on trust, expertise, and a deep commitment to listening to those I work with. I firmly believe the best compliments you can ever get are the ones that are said about you when you’re not even present. Over the past 15 years, I’ve not only had the privilege of working with clients but also hearing the concerns, frustrations, and hopes of women across the country. Time and time again, I hear things like, “I just wish someone could help me understand what to do now. I’ve been doing the same thing for 30 years, and it’s not working anymore. I’ve tried all this stuff I see on TikTok and YouTube, but it doesn’t connect with me. I feel helpless.”
Hearing these sentiments over and over made it clear to me that there’s a huge need for someone who understands and can guide this demographic of women who’ve been largely overlooked by the beauty industry. These are people who want solutions that are sophisticated, personalized, and practical—not one-size-fits-all advice or passing trends. I knew I could not only meet this need but truly make a difference.
What sets me apart is my dedication to addressing this gap with empathy, expertise, and passion. I’ve built my career on helping women embrace their beauty and navigate life’s changes with confidence and grace. For me, this is deeply personal—because who would we be without the women who came before us? The ones who paved the way for us to stand where we are today? They deserve to feel seen, celebrated, and empowered, not forgotten or thought of as a “once was.”
Ultimately, I think my reputation has grown because my work is about so much more than lipstick—it’s about connection, education, and honoring the beauty and grace of the women who have always supported me.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
For me, keeping in touch with my clients and fostering brand loyalty is all about building genuine, lasting relationships rooted in trust, care, and a real connection. I aim to become more than just a makeup artist; I want to be someone my clients think of as a friend, a mentor, a Guru, or a trusted sounding board for all things beauty, style, and fashion. Everyone needs that “go-to person” in their life—almost like an incredible colorist, a brilliant hairdresser, or even a trusted housekeeper, or personal assistant, they’d be lost without. I strive to be that person when it comes to beauty.
A lot of this comes from my parents, who have been profound examples for me as a person and a professional. My father, an exceptional physician, has built a reputation not only for his brilliance as a Neurologist but also for his kindness, sincerity, and the way he truly cares for his patients. His patients, his coworkers, and his community trust him implicitly. His patients often return to him with family members, friends, and even entire generations. I approach my work in beauty with that same level of dedication, care, and trust. I build relationships with my Clients, their mother’s, their sisters, their best friends, even their Wedding Party!
Likewise, my mother has had a huge influence on me. She is not only incredibly beautiful and glamorous but also an undeniable people person. To the people in her life, She’s the one who always has a solution to a problem, a dress for the occasion, a quick fix in a pinch, or an open ear for anyone who needs to be heard. She’s the kind of person strangers open up to within minutes, and it’s a Superpower- I’m proud to share that with her, as I know it has been passed down to me and my siblings. I know my energy is warm and inviting, and I don’t take that lightly. I try to use that ability to instill trust, comfort, and authenticity with every person who steps into my world of beauty.
I am very much equal parts of my parents, thus it’s no wonder my method is equal parts personal and clinical. I listen closely to my clients, almost like a diagnosis: “Here’s what I’m hearing, here’s what I’m seeing, and here’s what I recommend—and here’s why.” I treat product and cosmetics like a prescription: solutions to concerns, tools to enhance confidence, and tailored recommendations with clear explanations of how to use them. I want every client to leave not only looking and feeling their best but also with the knowledge to maintain that confidence on their own.
What keeps my clients coming back is the rapport we build, my talent, and the sincerity behind everything I do. I see my influence in their lives as part of a continual timeline, always evolving with their needs. It’s a relationship, not a transaction, and that’s something I never take for granted.
To further nurture these relationships, I’ve created Memberships for my studio. Members enjoy open access to me throughout the year for any beauty-related needs, along with four annual appointments to refresh their routines, explore new seasonal looks, and replenish or curate products for their beauty arsenal. Membership also includes exclusive access to VIP events like masterclasses, glam parties, and Kansas City-based gatherings, which help deepen that sense of community and connection.
In the end, my parents instilled in me the values that define my approach to beauty: expertise, care, warmth, and the ability to truly listen and offer solutions. My clients know that I genuinely care about them, and that sincerity has built both loyalty and excitement—so much so that they’re eager to share me with their friends and loved ones, almost like passing along a gift or a well-kept secret. I honor that trust by always staying true to who I am and the principles that guide me: kindness, authenticity, and a commitment to helping every individual I work with feel confident, beautiful, and seen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.makeupbymatthew.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeupbymatthewmbm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matthew.allen.1804/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-allen-a4760698
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@makeupbymatthewmbm
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/makeup-by-matthew-kansas-city?osq=Makeup+By+Matthew
Image Credits
all are mine.