January 8, 2017

Meet Ashanta Morris of LA Hair and Makeup in Hollywood

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashanta Morris.

Ashanta, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It all started for me at a very young age. In the early 90’s when it was all about fashion and the supermodel, I would OBSESS over the style network and watch runway shows for hours. Of course, that obsession led to my desire to be a model. That dream was quickly adjusted as I realized I would never be tall and wafey (the model trend at the time). I wasn’t dismayed by not walking the catwalk I simply drew my attentions to more behind the scenes in fashion design. As my education in sewing and fashion emerged I stumbled upon the Making Faces book by Kevin Aucoin. That instantly changed the trajectory of my focus. I rapidly put down my sewing kit and picked up makeup brushes. With my very limited resources, I attempted EVERY look in that book on myself. It was in those moments, in my mother’s bathroom using my mother’s sparsely equipped makeup collection that I was hooked! I became a cosmetics addict. My first makeup purchase was a metallic blue lip lacquer from M.A.C Cosmetics and from there was no turning back I was in love! I went to school for esthetics and also got a degree in natural health so that I could offer an additional layer to my makeup knowledge and services. Not soon after I graduated from school I freelanced for that same cosmetic company that started my love affair. Within 5 years of being a brand ambassador for M.A.C I branched off on my own to open my a freelance makeup company I call, CoQuet Studios, in Dallas, Texas. I worked on a lot of fun projects including Miss Texas and Miss America before I set my sights on Los Angles. Upon my arrival, I started a branch of CoQuet Studios named LA Hair and Makeup that offers the full package skincare, makeup and hair services for weddings, photo shoots, special events and appearances. It’s been a crazy ride this beauty train but I have enjoyed every turn, bump, sight, stop and passenger along the way.

Great, 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?
When you are in an industry that is subjective, competitive and based highly upon who you know, you can only expect road blocks. However, that is life and anything worth having is not easy. One of my biggest struggles, in the beginning, was being patient. I had to build up my clientele. I saw girls working like gangbusters doing photo shoots, I knew I was completely capable of doing. I had to realize that those girls had been working longer than me and spent a lot of time cultivating and establishing the relationships that got them their consistent work. Now having done this for over 15 years my gallery of work speaks for itself and my experience helps me get the consistent work I was so envious of.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about La Hair and Makeup – what should we know?
LA Hair and Makeup offers services in hair and makeup services for weddings, photo shoots, special events and appearances. We specialize in beautiful clean natural makeup without excessive photoshop and contouring. This unprocessed beauty makeup sets us apart in a world of makeup masks.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
There are so many necessary qualities to be my definition of successful. I would say, however, the most important quality I have needed and use every day is kindness.

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