Today we’d like to introduce you to Janah Salatan
Hi Janah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In 2014, I became interested in makeup and the application of it on myself and then others. I collected so many lipsticks and blushes that my husband (who was my boyfriend at the time) suggested that I consider a career in makeup artistry.
The following year we moved to LA where I received my makeup certificate and I became involved in bridal makeup work, working at MAC Cosmetics and Glam Squad all while maintaining my full-time job as an ophthalmic technician in Beverly Hills. For the next 5 years I worked in retail, brida, runway, test shoots, special effects, and on-set.
It was when I started doing a lot of wedding work that I decided I give hairstyling a shot. Hair did not come as easily to me as makeup naturally did, so I decided to move back home to the Bay Area pre-pandemic and get my cosmetology license. Learning about hair, the anatomy of the head, hair sectioning, body positioning, and how to keep people safe is ultimately what helped me improve my technique and finally cultivate my love for hair & hairstyling,
As of June 2024, I’m assisting the best of the best at one of the most sought out salons in West Hollywood. It’s been a wonderful journey getting here and we are only beginning to scratch the surface!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve come to realize that the road to success is never smooth. You should expect twists and turns, peaks and valleys, and learn how to navigate them as gracefully as you can.
I quit my 13 year career in Ophthalmology to become a cosmetologist. I’m at the beginning of this journey after changing career paths and that is probably one of the biggest struggles yet – starting from the bottom all over again. The good news is, I already know what it’s like to move up the ranks so I’d like to believe I’m using that to my advantage this time around.
I’m so very thankful and eternally grateful to have an incredibly supportive partner in my husband. I wouldn’t have been able to have these experiences to get to where I’ve gone without his constant encouragement & admiration.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a makeup artist specializing in bridal, special event, and photography makeup. I’m known for my aesthetic in brows and natural looking makeup.
When I’m done with my hair assistant program I plan to specialize in cut, color, extensions, and styling.
The dream has and will always be to get on-set, signed to an agency or the Union with hopes of maintaining clientele retention.
I’m most proud of my drive and effort to get to where I want to be. Picking up and moving away from home and my loved ones has never been easy. I feel that is what sets me apart the most from others is recognizing how hard I want the professional life I desire and saying no to everything else that isn’t that – and always doing it with grace and kindness.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was a book worm, I loved listening to music with my dad, and I absolutely loved drawing, painting, and coloring. If I wasn’t reading, I was watching Bob Ross so I definitely had my share of drawing lots of landscapes like hills, trees , and lakes. I had interest in all types of mediums: paint, watercolor, marker, crayons, and oil pastels.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jdmakeupartistry.live
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janahsalatan
