Today we’d like to introduce you to Alores Norris.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Alores. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey started back in 2010 when I first became a certified makeup artist. I was so obsessed with makeup as child because my mom use to model back in her day and I would look at some old pictures of her and try to duplicate that same look on me! Once I became a certified makeup artist, I decided to go back to school and major in Studio Arts. I wanted to experience and learn about art as much I could, and BOY did I learn! My professors would have us paint self-portraits of ourselves and others, and for hours I would study the structure of one’s face. The eyes, the cheekbones, texture of their skin, how to shape the person’s eyebrows, lip shape, color of the skin and then bring all of that to a blank canvas. The amazing techniques I learned from my professors and other art students I would take back to my clients and actually apply it to my makeup technique while during their makeup.
There was also another little hidden talent that studio arts brought out of me that I didn’t even know was there. MIXING!!! While painting, I would mix some of the richest and beautiful colors for my work. One day there was this magenta color I mixed for a portrait I was assigned to. I could have easily went out and bought this color but I decided that I wanted to mix it. I wanted to mix my own magenta. It took me a few tries but once I finally got the right magenta I wanted I painted with it until my arms got tired! The first thing my professor said when I revealed the painting was OMG, A’Lores! What color is that??? Where did you buy it! I honestly think that’s what got me the B+ on the painting because the portrait wasn’t that good! LOL!!! Later that evening, I had a makeup appointment with a client and all of the lipstick colors in my kit were kinda blah! They weren’t popping like the Magenta in the portrait.
While doing the young lady’s makeup, my mind started to wonder… What if I mix my own lipsticks?? What if I can mix lipsticks for my own clients??? SO, I took a chance and did it… That day! I asked the young lady if she would mind if I mixed a lipstick to get the perfect color for her. She was actually excited to see how I was going to do this. I had some MAC pigments in my kit. Mixed it with some gloss and added some liquid pigments I got from a website the sold cosmetic pigments and here came Magenta!!! It looked exactly like the magenta in my painting! The texture and consistency was spot on for a lipstick! From that day forward, it was non stop with me and starting my own lipstick line. It went from me mixing lipsticks and selling them to friends and family, to tube lipsticks, to liquid to matte lipsticks, to foundations. I’m not just a lipstick brand anymore. As of 2020, I am now a beauty brand that has foundations, setting powders, highlighters, lip glosses, and so much more! These past ten years on this beauty brand journey has been nothing but blessings. Yes, it has its ups and downs like any other business but The House of Flawless has always found a way continue to hang in there.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I really wish I could say it has been all peaches and cream but I would be LYING! LOL! Building your own brand is hard! Building a GOOD brand is even harder! Building a beauty brand is almost back breaking, but not impossible. Nothing is ever impossible. It takes work, and if you are ready for work, there is absolutely nothing you cant handle. While building a beauty brand, there is so much you have to take into consideration. Who is your brand for?? Who are you targeting?? What is your message?? How are you branding?? What is your marketing strategy?? And then after that let’s talk about FUNDING! What’s in?? What’s not?? What’s a trend?? What’s hot?? How can I keep up!?! Do I cut the crease or not !! LOL! The struggle really comes in is not being swallowed by the other 15,000 makeup brands that’s already out there. You always need something that’s going to make your brand stand out. A theme. Your packaging. Your marketing skills and once you get that down pack, you have to stay on it! Consistency is key!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The House of Flawless was created for all women. The House of Flawless is for every shade, no matter where she is from, no matter where she lives or who she loves. We cater to every personality, every attitude and most of all every culture. I promised myself while creating The House of Flawless, I would include all shades of skin tones with foundations and lipsticks that we all could love and look great in. Not only I am a pro makeup artist that’s been doing makeup for over ten years, I’ve been able to study and learn from the best of the best when it comes to cosmetics and the making of it.
I am most proud of my company and being able to stand on her own for the past ten years. Three years ago, I decided to take a leap of faith and open my own cosmetics store called The House of Flawless (of course) I spent three glorious years in that brick and mortar but in 2020, Covid19 had other plans. Yes, the brick and mortar shut down but the website picked up!!! I ended up writing a book called I May Not Be Perfect but my Lipstick IS during quarantine, I transferred all of the inventory to our online store, and The House of Flawless has been booming ever since. We haven’t skipped a beat and I am so proud. On a daily, I ship to CALI, ATL, NC, MIA, SC, AZ, TX, WA, even internationally! At one point, I thought… Okay… This is the end, but God had other plans. That brick and mortar was just a building and I had to realize people didn’t come for the building. They came for the product and as long as I can provide it! They will buy it!
I am known for my lipsticks and also my artistry. I am a skin artist and a lot of clients and followers are my page book and follow me for those two reasons. SKIN and LIPS!
What were you like growing up?
OHHH!!! Ohhh Goodness! LOL! I was a MESS!! I mean Bad yall!! Like the teachers calling my house to speak to my momma bad! LMBO! I got better the older I got but baby! I don’t understand how my mom did it! Thank God For her! I love that woman…
Pricing:
- EBook: I May Not Be Perfect But My Lipstick is $10.99
- Liquid Lipsticks: $18.99
- Matte Retro Style Lipsticks: $11.99
- Satin Finish Foundation: $22.99
- Oil Control Setting Spray : $16.99
- Makeup Brush start at $7.99
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thehouseofflawless.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aloreshouseofflawless/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlawlessBeautyMakeup1
Image Credit:
Photography For Models: SmithaLee Photography
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