My Beauties!

 

I stand before you today, often faced with a question that seems to follow me wherever I go. It's a question that resonates deeply with my passion and journey. That question, my friends, is: "How long have you been doing makeup?" Well, allow me to share my story with you.

 

You see, when asked about my professional background, I say that I proudly hold my cosmetologist license since 2008. But if we're talking about my love affair with makeup, let's rewind the clock a little further back to my high school days. Ah, the memories! I would charge a mere $20 to work my magic on girls' makeup and hair for the school dances. With that hard-earned cash, I would march myself to the salon and indulge in a fabulous hair transformation of my own for the dance at hand! It was a win-win situation!

 

I've always had a love for makeup. One of my earliest memories involves rummaging through my mother's purse and stumbling upon her red lip gloss. I can still vividly recall the feel of the doe-foot applicator and the consistency of that glossy formula. It was like finding a hidden treasure.

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Just like me, my Grandma Shirley had a deep appreciation for beauty. I cherished the moments when I could secretly venture into her bathroom and explore the treasures within her cabinets. They were overflowing with an abundance of lipsticks, each one holding the promise of vibrant colors waiting to be discovered. With anticipation, I would open her bathroom drawers, revealing a delightful array of pressed powders and an assortment of blush compacts. Taking my time, I would meticulously open them, savoring the experience as I delicately ran my finger across their surfaces. Oh, the joy and excitement I experienced during those precious moments of exploration!

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Now, here's the funny part: I was quite the tomboy (thanks, Mom, for those bowl-cut school photos), yet I had an insatiable craving for twirly dresses and shoes that would make a satisfying click on the linoleum floors. (You should see the fun pairs I own to this day!) Barbie dolls didn't quite captivate my interest until one pivotal moment in second grade. That's when I received a grand gift—a large Barbie doll head. Little did I know, that innocent present would become the catalyst for my journey as a cosmetologist. From that moment forward, I knew in my heart that hair was my calling.

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Growing up, my family had close friends with two older daughters. I distinctly remember one of them rocking white pencil eyeliner on her top lids during her junior high and high school years. Let me tell you, I thought she was the epitome of coolness! Inspired by her, I dashed to the store and bought a humble $0.98 Wet and Wild white eyeliner pencil. But here's where my creativity kicked in: I adorned my liner with loose glitter. Yes, you heard that right! I was the glitter queen, and nothing could dim my sparkle. (By the way, glitter still holds a special place in my heart, and you'll find it adorning my hair until I'm at the fabulous age of 98-years-old.)

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After graduating from high school, my boyfriend and I decided to tie the knot, and before long, we welcomed a beautiful baby boy into our lives. Fast forward 17 years, and that boyfriend has become my loving husband. Together, we have a remarkable 17-year-old son named Cai and an adorable 10-year-old daughter named Evie.

 

During the early years of motherhood, when Cai was just a baby, I finally had the opportunity to pursue my dream of attending Beauty School. It took around 14 months of dedicated effort, but I eventually obtained my license, marking the beginning of an incredible journey.

 

In 2014, I took a leap of faith and established my own business, specializing in hair and nail services. It was a pivotal moment when I decided to specifically advertise my expertise in bridal makeup. Initially, I relied on traditional makeup techniques, but after being repeatedly asked if I offered airbrush makeup services and having to disappoint potential clients, I realized I needed to expand my skill set.

 

During the Thanksgiving season of 2018, I embarked on a thorough research endeavor to identify the ideal airbrush makeup line. With unwavering determination, I invested in the complete system, fully immersing myself in its intricacies. Through countless trials and errors, hours spent devouring online videos and courses, attending intensive six-hour master classes, a recent enriching trip to the Chicago Makeup show in April of 2023, a week long training at The Makeup Artist Summit in Provincetown MA in October 2023, numerous in-person makeup workshops, and the treasure trove of makeup books that constantly captivate me, I have gained invaluable knowledge and honed my craft. I can confidently say that I've learned a thing or two along the way.

 

I feel deeply honored to have been a part of numerous weddings in NorthEast Nebraska throughout my 16 -year career, and I am humbled by the experiences and opportunities that have come my way. Yet, I firmly believe that this is only the beginning of an exciting chapter in my journey.

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So here I am, living my dream, sharing my passion for makeup and beauty with all of you. It's been a journey filled with laughter and lots of glitter! I feel incredibly blessed to have found my true passion, and I'm honored to be a part of this amazing world of beauty.

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I genuinely believe that we are all uniquely designed, just like the varied and beautiful flowers that grace the fields, by the hand of God.

 

Inspired by this belief, my husband, with his artistic touch, beautifully drew the flowers that became the heart of my logo, symbolizing our individuality and divine craftsmanship.

 

What makes it even more special is that each flower represents the birth month of a beloved member of my own family, infusing the logo with personal significance and a celebration of our shared journey.

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Thank you for joining me on this whimsical trip down memory lane. Together, let's celebrate the magic of makeup and the joy it brings to our lives!

 

I can't wait to meet you!