We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Toni Acey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Toni, 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?

I went from working a 9 – 5 at an engineering firm to taking a leap of faith to follow my passion for makeup and the creative arts. Sitting at my desk from day to day didn’t allow me to feel like the creative person that was on the inside begging me to get out. When I asked myself the tough question of “what really makes you happy?” I heard it loud and clear, “Makeup!” I love transforming people. I knew I had to go for it right then. I had a friend who was photographer who was also wanting to step out on faith and we decided to come together and get a studio space. Our clientele mostly consisted of models looking to build their portfolios and from there the word began to spread very quickly that these two are the ones to go to for photos and makeup. We began to get calls from record labels to do CD covers and then that led to me working on music videos which then led me to working on television shows and more. My career path was pretty fast tracked so there’s nothing I would say I would’ve done differently to get started.

Toni, 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?

I was introduced to the world of makeup through the modeling industry. I used to do some modeling for hair care companies, hair magazines and other products. The people that were hired to do my makeup for these shoots rarely seemed to get my makeup right. So this made me more inquisitive about makeup and I would spend countless hours looking at makeup in magazines (there was no YouTube at the time) and trying to replicate what I saw on my own face. Well I must’ve been doing a good job at it because all the other models started to ask me to do theirs, and that was the start of my career as a makeup artist. I believe in “I am who I say I am”, so I just started telling people that I was a makeup artist until it was true. Before social media was a thing, there used to be a website called One Model Place (OMP) that featured models and photographers. They had a million subscribers and it was a big deal to be featured on their site. It meant your work would be on the homepage and get lots of visibility. Well I became the first Makeup Artist to be featured on their homepage and this really blew me up amongst the community of models and photographers and I became one of the most sought after makeup artists in the industry. One thing that also set me apart from others was my signature style of Airbrush Makeup. I was one of the pioneers of bringing airbrush makeup to the forefront of the beauty makeup industry. I was the first person to teach it at the Bronner Bros. International Hair Show and the first person to offer classes throughout the southeast.

I partnered with an up and coming photographer to start our own studio, and we quickly became the go-to duo for makeup and photography. We began to get calls from record labels and this led to me branching off into the world of music videos which then led to a career in doing set work for film and television.

I have been the makeup department head or key makeup artist for countless tv and award shows and my work has graced the pages of a large number of magazines. I have worked with major tv networks like Bravo, BET, Lifetime, Netflix, UPN, MTV, NBC, OWN, and of course being in Atlanta, I have had the pleasure of working at Tyler Perry Studios on a countless number of productions.

Here are just a few of those credits:

Film & Television Credits

* Rhythm + Flow – Season 2 (Netflix) — Lead Makeup Artist
* Friend Zone (movie) — Key Makeup Artist
* MLB All-Star Game Entertainment Performances — Makeup Artist for featured dancers and talent
* Black Girls Rock! — Makeup Dept Head
* Paternity Court – Key Makrup Artist
* The Real Housewives of Atlanta – Makeup Artist Seasons 1-5

A Few of the Celebrity & Talent I have had the pleasure of working with:

• Tasha Cobbs
* Erykah Badu
* Brely Evans
* LisaRaye
* Idris Elba
* Janelle Monaé
• Latto
• Luke Macfarlane
• Cam Newton
and many more!

* National television personalities, recording artists, athletes, and public figures.

I am most proud of the way that I have been a trendsetter in this industry as opposed to a follower. Also, a proud moment is earning an Emmy Award for the tv show “Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court”.

Professional Highlights

* Emmy Award–Winning Makeup Artist
* IATSE Local 798 Union Member
* Founder of Aced Faces & Brows by Toni Acey
• Board Certified PMU Artist
* Over 25 years of experience in film, television, editorial, celebrity, bridal, and beauty makeup artistry.

Now adding Permanent Makeup to her repertoire, her clients can finally get the brows they’ve been dreaming of at Kariel & Co Salons on Roswell Rd., in Sandy Springs, GA.

What clients love most about Toni Acey’s work is her ability to enhance natural beauty without ever overpowering it. Her signature approach is rooted in creating polished, camera-ready looks that still allow every client to feel like the best version of themselves. Whether working with everyday women, brides, executives, or celebrities, Toni is known for delivering flawless results that feel elevated, effortless, and authentic. That experience has become so recognizable that her clients proudly leave her chair saying, “I’ve been ACED!” — a tagline that has evolved into a signature part of her brand and a phrase even celebrities have embraced.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being a makeup artist and permanent brow artist is the ability to make people see themselves in a way they may not have thought possible or just never imagined. The transformation effect never gets old. After doing someone’s brows or makeup and handing them the mirror and seeing their reaction sometimes to the point of tears —this is the most rewarding feeling to know you made someone feel this happy. When they start smiling big and showing that confident attitude and dancing in my chair —I’m like, “You’ve been ACED!” My work here is done! Period.

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 people who work a standard 9-5 or in a non-creative field tend to think that we as creatives who work for ourselves have it easy.

Nothing further from the truth. As a creative or entrepreneur it’s all on me. I am marketing, sales, sales, pr, social media manager, content creator and then I am the makeup artist and PMU Artist. My day never really ends and there’s no PTO/Sick days. If I don’t work, I don’t get paid.

But the reward in all this is that I am blessed to get to do what I love. Making a living at it is the bonus!

It’s easy to wake up at the crack of dawn for a 6am call time when you’re going to do what you love. You hit snooze a million times when you are not so excited about going to work. The day going to set or going to a client feels like work; I’m done. Acey out!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.acedfaces.com
• Instagram: @acedfaces
• Facebook: @toniacey | @acedfaces
• Linkedin: Toni Acey
• Twitter: @toniacey
• Youtube: @toniacey