We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shacarra Bennett-Hardy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shacarra below.

Alright, Shacarra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I use to watch beauty influencers’ videos consistently. I loved watching them because they taught me so much about perfecting my makeup, taking care of my skin, what are the best places to shop at, and so much more. As I’m watching these videos I’m also seeing how much of a luxurious life they’re living and this is what they’re all doing full time! After so long of watching their videos, I began working in a popular makeup store, and studying under 2 of the best makeup artists. I later became very knowledgeable in the beauty field. So then I started watching the beauty influencers’ videos with the perspective that I could be doing this too! I have the tools, I have everything it takes, and this is what I love. This is when I knew I wanted to be a beauty influencer.

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 back background and context?

I first started out blogging. I would upload new blogs maybe twice a week about new skincare, or makeup products I tried and did reviews. I didn’t feel like my blogs were getting enough views, so I later stopped procrastinating and took my talents to YouTube where I got a lot more exposure.

My initial goal for my Youtube channel was (and still is) to be a beauty guide. I want to be everyone’s go to for anything beauty. On my channel I try to focus on being my authentic self. I share moments of my life through vlogs, if I make a mistake on my makeup in my videos I don’t edit it out. I want to show everyone that it is normal and even someone who knows exactly what they’re doing makes mistakes too. I also do clothing hauls and HONEST reviews on products. I emphasize the word “honest” because I take pride and integrity on the feedback I give my viewers.

I always say me being me is what sets me a part from others. The beauty influencer world is saturated, but there’s only one me. It’s just like the bread aisle analogy. When you walk down the bread aisle you see so many different brands. One company didn’t think “Oh there’s too many bread companies, let’s not make one”. No, because there is always someone out there to market to that needs you.

Being consistent with uploading content is my biggest struggle. It’s all about time management. I work a 9 to 5, so I have to schedule out when I’m going to record and edit. It’s really important to discipline myself and push myself even if I’m tired. Once my video is live, it’s rewarding in the end.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was even the people you look up to can be wrong. I remember when I first decided to become a beauty influencer I was working at a popular makeup store. I valued the opinion of my supervisor a lot. She was very knowledgeable as a businesswoman and makeup artist. I told her I want to start a YouTube channel and I really want to be a beauty influencer. She told me not to because everyone was doing it and soon it won’t be popular anymore. I listened to her. That was in 2016. Four years later (2020) I started my channel, have gotten to work with great brands, and it has brought me new opportunities. Today in 2023, the beauty influencer world is even more popular and bigger than it was in 2016. I always think of how much further along I could have been if I would have started when I got the idea. I’m not mad at my former supervisor. I still think she’s amazing at what she does. My point is sometimes you have to listen to your own instincts. I realized God gave me the vision, not anyone else. I always keep that in mind now. No one has to agree with what I’m doing, but me.

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

The most rewarding thing about being a content creator is watching my looks come together. Sometimes I’ll do makeup looks with inspiration in mind to see if I can pull it off and sometimes I just freestyle to see what I come up with. Either way I’m excited to see my final look in the end.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bio.site/mscarramae?fbclid=PAAaa39E2PJnGxqoA8eOLf__DtHM7U2KujrZBZJtBmXtNpmzWr04jOgcAhjYU_aem_th_AUUHGCnYl7HFdOH3MDzsyE_fjUVbgScFmhC7HT_5cq9wo9j8Uydvi1EQXdXcy1Pc_N8
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mscarramae?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mscarramae?lang=he
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@MakeupByCarraMae