Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Mary Anderson of Mid City

Mary Anderson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Mary, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ve been really getting back into my hobbies. Painting, drawing, leaning new things on my Ipad, baking, or any other crafty things! Another thing that brings me so much joy and happiness is spending time with my friends.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Mary, but I also go by Mur. I am a makeup artist who has been working in Los Angeles for a little over three years now.
I moved to Los Angeles in April of 2022 from Iowa. I have loved every single second of it, even the bad and hard times. I look at it all as lessons and choose to love my journey no matter what.

Currently I am working on some really cool stuff! I just got to do a runway show and assist one of my favorite artists. I’ve been getting to know and learn from other huge artists that I’ve looked up to for so long. I got to do the Skims x Nike Campaign which was actually insane!

Working on all this stuff is actually a dream come true. I have met so many beautiful people working these jobs who I am so honored to have in my life.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
The person who taught me the most about work is my dad, Drew. I’ve never met a more hard working, dedicated, disciplined and all around amazing guy. He does whatever it takes to provide for his family. He has shown me that you can have whatever you want as long as you’re willing to work for it.

He was only barely 20 when he found out my mom was pregnant with me. He got two or three jobs, changed his life completely around, and did what he needed to do to prepare to be a dad. Then 5 years later he met my stepmom, and we became a family, and then they had one of my favorite people in the world, my sister.

My dad, Drew, is currently beating stage 4 cancer’s ass!! In everything he does, he gives it his all. I love him so much and am forever grateful for him loving our family so hard and the values he’s instilled in my sister and I.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely! There have been quite a few times I’ve wanted to just drive back to Iowa and give up on my dreams, but I can’t. I want this too bad. I have worked so hard for this to just give up when I’m already here and living my dream. I look back just to even last year and the amount of growth in my career is INSANE!! It just keeps happening and working and that is why I stay and continue to fight and work hard.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. I don’t hide my values or act like someone I’m not to appease others. I am myself all the time, and it’s not important for me to be palatable for others. What is important to me is how I feel about myself and knowing I am staying true to who I am.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am doing what I was born to do. People in my life have had, and still have so many opinions on what and who I should be. There is no way I couldn’t be a makeup artist and living in Los Angeles. I have wanted to live here since I was 5. I knew I have always been meant for more, and I know and feel in every part of my being that I am doing what I was born for. I don’t think I could be working this hard and have everything work out if this wasn’t meant for me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @mursmakeup

Image Credits
Hugh Wilson- Skims