Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenya Downing.
Hi Kenya, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started working at Sephora at 22 years old. I originally applied because I just needed a job. Not knowing that opportunity would turn into a career. After working at Sephora for about two years. I stopped working there and started working at MAC. I worked at Mac for about five years and that is where I was able to build my clientele and perfect my artistry skills. After building my clientele, I eventually stopped working for Mac and ventured out on my own as a freelance professional make up artist. I would do any and everyone’s makeup just to get practice. That’s how I knew that being a makeup artist was my calling.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Through my seven years of doing makeup, I have had a lot of ups and downs. For the first four years, I was on and off with makeup. Not knowing if I really wanted to do it full-time, I was scared to take the leap and work for myself. Because of fear I worked corporate jobs thinking that was the easy way out. I quickly realized corporate was not for me because I was fired from every job I’ve had. That alone was hard because I then had to hurry to find a new job before the next bill cycle came to keep up with my bills. That was never fun. In between jobs, I would always start doing makeup full time again until I found another job. After being let go from every job and having someone else’s control over my livelihood, I finally decided to take makeup serious and build my own brand. I started building my brand and soon after I lost my grandmother. It was extremely hard for me and I became very depressed. I didn’t want to work or get out of bed. Because of that, I lost a lot of business and clientele. Once I got over my depression, I tried to build my brand back up, which was not as easy as I thought it was going to be. It was actually much harder to get business back after disappearing for about a year.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a celebrity makeup artist and I specialize in luxury beauty makeup. From bridal to photoshoots, to television. I’m known for my beautiful natural bronze looks, where I pride myself of enhancing my client’s natural features. I am most proud of taking the leap of faith and becoming my own boss. One of my most memorable and proudest moments is doing makeup for singer and songwriter Sevyn Streeter. I’m also very proud of making a name for myself and allowing myself to prosper. What sets me apart is the way I do makeup. Like I mentioned I love enhancing my client’s natural beauty without making them look like a completely different person. I cater my looks based on each individual. I don’t give everyone the same brow shape, lip shape, or contour. Everyone has different features and I love to play up those differences.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is crushing all of your goals you have made for yourself. If you have put in place goals that you need to accomplish and you are able to check those goals off as you go. That means you are succeeding and headed in the right direction.
Contact Info:
- Website: KenyaEnhancingBeauty.com
- Email: Kenyaenhancingbeauty@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kenyaenhancingbeauty/
Image Credits:
ttsenre.com
