We were lucky to catch up with Shareese Boseman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shareese , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

The best investment I’ve made in my career as a makeup artist has been taking in-person classes with other artists—some well-known celebrity artists and others who are talented and respected locally in the 757 VA area. These experiences have allowed me to grow not only as a creative but also as a professional.

I’ve spent well over $5,000 investing in my education and development in this field, and I don’t regret a single dollar of it. I understood early on that the money would come back tenfold—not just in revenue, but in the value of the knowledge, technique, and networking I gained.

These classes taught me more than how to do makeup. I learned important lessons about branding, client experience, professionalism, and how to protect the integrity of my work and my name. While I’m no stranger to “YouTube University,” I realized that online tutorials can only take you so far. Sometimes, being in the room, asking questions, and seeing artistry up close makes all the difference.

The biggest lesson? Bet on yourself. Investing in your growth is never a waste.

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.

Hey, I’m Shareese—also known as Shay or Tooshay MUA.
I’m a proud Queens, NYC native and an OG makeup lover through and through. I fell in love with makeup during my teenage years, but my mom wasn’t too keen on me wearing much of it back then (as most moms are!). Once I got to college, though, it was game on. I started experimenting with my own face, diving deep into the YouTube beauty world, and learning through endless tutorials. Aaliyah Jay was that girl for me—I watched her religiously and soaked up every tip she shared.

My love for artistry started there, with a desire to enhance my own features and express myself. Funny enough, I never imagined I’d become a makeup artist professionally. It wasn’t until 2021 that I picked up a brush to do someone else’s face. One of my friends (who I jokingly say bullied me into it) saw something in me before I could even see it myself. That push changed my life.

By day, I’m still a biology teacher.
My background in science blends beautifully into my makeup artistry, especially when it comes to understanding skin. I don’t just apply makeup—I educate. I specialize in bridal and soft glam for all occasions, and I offer both virtual beginner-friendly classes and in-person one-on-one lessons for makeup artists ready to level up their skills.

My clients come to me for more than just a face beat.
A lot of them have had past experiences with artists who made them feel rushed, unseen, or even uncomfortable. They’ve dealt with bad attitudes, poor communication, and a lack of awareness. I change that narrative. My approach is rooted in presence, care, and transparency. I listen. I ask questions. I help them bring their vision to life while offering honest guidance on what works best for their features. My clients leave my chair not just looking good, but feeling informed, empowered, and cared for.

They struggle with shade matching, long-lasting wear, and confidence. I solve that by being more than a service provider—I’m a beauty big sister, a safe space, and a professional who makes them feel like them, just elevated.

What sets me apart?
The way I treat people. I’m not for everyone, and everyone isn’t for me—and I say that with love. I serve women who want to look like themselves, just with a clean, soft-glam, bronzy, baddie twist. My girls know they can go from a professional panel to happy hour in the same beat. I’m known for my signature “snatched nose” effect—if you know, you know!

In August, Tooshay MUA turns four years old.
That’s a major milestone for me. I didn’t expect this to become a thing, but here I am—booked, trusted, and rooted in who I am. I’ve gotten in rooms by being authentically me. I’ve built relationships beyond social media and earned trust that can’t be faked.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my brand, it’s this:
None of this is luck. It’s preparation, intention, and grace. This work means everything to me. And when you sit in my chair, you’re not just getting a makeup artist—you’re getting someone who sees you, hears you, and wants you to feel like the baddest version of yourself, inside and out.

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

Something I think non-creatives don’t always get…
is how deep this really goes. People love to say, “It’s just makeup”, but it’s really not just makeup.

There’s time, training, money, and a lot of energy behind every beat. I’ve spent years learning how to work with different face shapes, skin types, skin tones, undertones—all of it. This isn’t just throwing on foundation and calling it a day. It’s technical, it’s artistic, and it’s tailored to each individual. You gotta know how to read a face like a map.

And let’s not even get into the business side—booking, content, branding, responding to emails, buying supplies, cleaning brushes at 1AM. It’s a full-time job in itself.

Oh—and did y’all forget I’m a teacher too??
Like…baby, I am tired! 😂 I be switching from lesson plans to lip liners, from grading papers to prepping primers. I’m balancing two worlds that both require heart, patience, and precision. So when someone asks why the price is what it is, I just smile. Because you’re not just paying for makeup—you’re paying for experience, for expertise, for someone who really cares how you feel when you look in the mirror.

So no—it’s not just makeup.
It’s my gift. My business. My art. My service. And yes, sometimes… it’s the thing that keeps me sane, even when I’m tired as hell.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist for me?
It’s being a part of people’s milestones. The big moments. The sacred stuff.
Birthdays, graduations, weddings, maternity shoots—those aren’t just appointments, they’re memories being made. And the fact that someone chooses me to be a part of that? That says a lot. That’s not something I take lightly.

It means they trust me with more than just their face—they trust me with their confidence, their energy, their special day. That feeling? There’s nothing like it. It reminds me that this work matters. That I matter.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tooshaymua.com
• Instagram: tooshay.mua
• Facebook: Tooshay MUA
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TooshayMUA
• Other: Stan,Store/TooshayMUA

Image Credits

@LegendaryShots.P
@Codakmoments_
@melissawengerphotography