Walking On a Dream
I’ve been on this journey as a Makeup Artist for over 10 years now.
When I initially started out, I was in a very low place; struggling to communicate, isolated from loved ones, trying to find community, and trying to find a job.
Then, I had an ah-ha moment and remember it like it was yesterday, a voice grew inside that said, “become a Makeup Artist.”
From that moment, I was determined.
I applied for a position at “Ulta” 6 times before I was hired and had no car or money. I relied on friends and family to drive me when they could (sometimes getting there hours before the store opened) and when they couldn’t, I walked 5 hours to get to work.
No one knew this is how I was getting to work (on time). I was determined to make a career for myself regardless of my circumstances.
I stayed at Ulta for two years (finally saved up enough money and got a car) then applied to MAC Cosmetics 3 times.
I came down with a terrible fever and told the hiring manager I needed to push my interview. She said, “if you move this interview you won’t get another opportunity.” So I sucked it up, got the job, and was sick for the first three weeks of work (pre-Covid times).
I lasted two years and became the top seller of the store. I was ready for bigger dreams and began commuting from Baltimore to NYC for tests and ‘coffee.’
One night, I was supposed to stay with a friend. They canceled on me and I had no where to go and couldn’t afford a hotel.
Luckily, a distant relative was kind enough to let me stay with them and I walked from Times Square to Bushwick.
In March of 2018, I decided to move to NY. This time, I wasn’t walking. 3 Days before my move (with no plan in place), I got a call to work on a feature for 3 weeks the day after I landed.
Since then, I have been supported and have mostly drove everywhere in New York (up until recently), haha.
Makeup has taught me the importance of patience, faith, kindness, structure, and the value of wearing comfortable shoes.
Makeup is more than just makeup. It has always been a teacher that walked me back home and has been the backbone to my self discovery and healing.
