Today we’d like to introduce you to Hailey Smith
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up I was a competitive dancer and always had a love for makeup. My friends would always ask me to help with their makeup before our competitions. Over the years in high school I started doing prom and homecoming makeup for friends and family and they were paying me for my time. This sparked my interest into turning my hobby into my dream job. I ended up switching to online high school and graduated earlier than my class.
I immediately enrolled myself into a full specialist esthetician program at Aveda Institutes. I learned in depth about skin, product ingredients, and sanitation and pushed myself to continue growing my knowledge in all things skin and makeup to become the best artist for my future clientele. Education was a very important step in my career and after graduating Aveda I began working at a makeup counter. Everyday I practiced matching skin tones and recommending the best products that catered to my clients skin concerns.
While working I met a fellow makeup artist who opened her own business and was looking for artists to join her team. I began taking beginner and advanced makeup classes with her and she became my mentor and friend. I built my makeup kit from scratch and began working in the wedding industry as part of a team. I’m so grateful to be surrounded by such an amazing group of artists where we have all learned and grew from one another. I was blessed to take on Disney weddings and have traveled all around Florida for special events.
I created my own website and launched my business in April of 2024. I’ve met so many amazing artists and vendors in the area through my work and to have a great community of people has made me a better person and a better artist today and I cannot be more grateful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Creating Hailey Kay Beauty LLC has been an amazing journey, but becoming an entrepreneur will always have it’s challenges. While starting a company in the beauty and esthetics industry has many obstacles I have found that these challenges have only made me stronger as a business owner. One of the biggest obstacles I’ve faced being in the beauty industry is things are constantly changing. New styles and new techniques are always evolving. That’s why it is so important as a makeup artist to continue your education and knowledge by taking classes and being involved in the latest makeup trends. This overall has made me a very versatile and well rounded artist, where I’m able to achieve all makeup looks that cater to my clients vision.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Hailey Kay Beauty LLC was created to bring the salon right to your door! I’m a solo traveling makeup artist and I mostly work in the wedding industry and specialize in bridal makeup artistry. But I also do special events like photoshoots, birthdays, date nights, and proms. I am most known for my soft glam makeup looks but I am a very versatile artist and love doing natural and glam looks as well! I am really proud of my artistry and how far I have come since the beginning of my career. What may set Hailey Kay Beauty LLC apart from others is the commitment of pursuing makeup artistry full time and continuation of knowledge within the beauty and esthetics industry. I strive to be the best artist for all my clients and feel so blessed to have found people that appreciate my technical skill and mastery through makeup.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice to anyone starting out would be to master your skill set and continue your education! Practice everyday even if you’re just doing makeup on yourself, and give yourself grace when learning new techniques and skills. Makeup can be difficult but that’s why I advise practicing whenever you can and expanding your knowledge in products, application styles, and sanitation. When I first was starting out as a makeup artist I wish I knew not to expect success right away. I started out offering free makeup applications to build my portfolio and used social media as an asset to market my services and business. Posting my artistry online has been a great way to network and connect with other artists in the area as well.
Pricing:
- Luxury Makeup Application – $125 (travel not included)
- Private Makeup Lesson – $150 (travel not included)
- Bridal Wedding Makeup – $200 (travel not included)
- Bridesmaids and Moms – $125 (travel not included)
- Bridal Makeup Trial – $150 (travel not included)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.haileykaybeauty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haileykaybeauty/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551796348953
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@haileykaybeauty?_t=ZT-8rjBUP2WjUo&_r=1
Image Credits
Stephanie Flores Pena Photography
Kayleigh New
