September 13, 2016

Meet Mid- City Professional Makeup Artist: Paija Hudson

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paija Hudson.

Paija, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey started from a very special place. Makeup saved my life! I was never taught anything about makeup growing up so I was absolutely clueless about lashes, liner, and lipstick. In college, friends would always have to do my makeup and theirs and one day they just got tired of it. When they got tired that’s when I decided it was time to learn on my own. At the same time, I was in an abusive relationship where at the time I thought I had no way out of. As a true academic at heart, research was the first step, understanding formulas, methods, tones…etc., was more important than application. Once that was done, the next thing to do was to just go for it and let me say I cringe when I see those old pics, but it made me the artist that I am today. In order to escape my current reality, I would sit up all night and practice looks, kind of like how artists paint as a way to express my pain, except I used makeup to get my frustration out. No one knew what was going on with me, so that was my only outlet. After I started receiving compliments I started a YouTube channel in 2008 (who knew what it would grow to be) to share my looks and story with others.

One day I went to a MAC store and the artists all said hey we know you, we study your videos on Youtube! I was shocked but let me say that was the confidence booster I needed but it wasn’t quite the turning point for me. Later on, after I built up the courage to leave my abusive boyfriend after a friendly intervention, I fell into depression and was ready to give up on life. I had been laid off, was no longer being taken care of by a man, and my unemployment was denied, I had nothing. One night I called my brother and told him how I was ready to quit school, quit looking for work, and life in general. He said to me sternly you are not a quitter and have you not seen how God has given you a hidden talent? He said pick up those brushes and get to work. He connected me with my mentor and the rest is history ! Years later, I am a published, public speaking, beauty educating, brand influencing, vlogging makeup artist !

Has it been a smooth road?
Being a small business owner is hard. Building clientele from scratch, making enough money for bills, and validating your business in an industry where people can just go to a big brand and spend less has been the hardest part.

How would you describe the type of kid you were growing up?
Growing up I was fairly quiet around those I didn’t know but never shut up around those that I did. Everyone would always say that I was wise beyond my years which lead to lots of misunderstanding and communication issues. My parents couldn’t understand how a small child was so smart so they often mistook my advancement for being a know it all. As a child I always wanted to be a lawyer, it was the career that a smart woman held and came with prestige. It wasn’t until I saw how taxing it can be that I realized it wasn’t for me. My next dream was to be a designer, I was always a very creative person wanting to break free and just be me, but my father felt that it would have been a waste of my time. However, I was always a lover of fashion, music, beauty, and just about every other creative thing out there. My friends used to call me the mom of the crew. I was the responsible one, I stopped them from making bad decisions, I babysat all of the kids in the neighborhood, and tutored my neighbors. I was fun and adventurous but I never wanted to get in trouble (just wasn’t my thing).

What is your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory would be growing up in my neighborhood. When I was a kid parents believed in allowing the village to take part in the upbringing of a child. We played all day until nightfall, rode our bikes and skates around the city, and had water balloon fights in the summer. My mom was known for throwing the best summer events and everyone would show up…I miss those days.

What are your plans for the future?
I plan to take my beauty business to the next level. I would love to open a studio/beauty school and help consumers and young artists perfect their skills. I also want to start my own beauty line of products for all women but catering to women of color. Naturally as an artist, I want to grow and progress and hopefully rub shoulders with some of my idols like Pat McGrath, Sam Fine, and Michael Key.

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