Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Miller.
Hi Courtney, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I believe we all are born with a natural and innate disposition/ability. I’m a creative, empath and healer. I remember as a child wanting to be a psychologist because all I wanted to do was take away people’s pain and re-write/replace that pain with something beautiful. My inherent passion has always been in helping to enhance the beauty of something/someone/everything around me through touch and creativity – so much so that I would sacrifice my own well-being in order to do so. These aspects of myself became acutely developed from a young age due to my home environment. My Mother was bipolar and well there’s so much to unpack there so I’ll just cut to the chase… My Mother was in and out of depression my whole life until she chose to take her own life when was 18 years old.
After her passing, I considered what I wanted to do and after dabbling in a couple of cooperate settings, I decided to go to FIDM and study “Visual Presentation and Space Design”, which then led me to Westmore Makeup Academy to study “Beauty and Special Effects” makeup, which then led me to Newberry School of Beauty to acquire an “Esthetician” (skincare) license. I don’t recall necessarily making conscious decisions here, it was more of a subconscious unfurling/pull type thing where I was led by something much greater than myself, until one day I realized – “wow this is what I’m meant to do! This taps into everything that makes me tic and I NEVER get bored” — Suppose this was more of a “calling” type thing, I didn’t really (in my younger years) design my path. I more or less just went with what felt fitting; my gut instinct if you will… Once I finished all my schooling I got a job working for Senna Cosmetics (which was about six months lived) and soon thereafter that I landed at Valerie Beverly Hills where I stayed and slayed for a hand-full of years – Managing the store and doing my Makeup and Brow Artistry thing – learning, growing and fine-tuning my craft.
After I felt I had plateaued there, I decided to take some time off to explore the world of fine artistry and started painting for a living which lasted a couple of years and ended due to a breakup and the economy simultaneously tanking. So that shifted my course of action and I leaned into what I knew how to do best, doing makeup, but this time I wanted to create something of my own. I developed a cosmetic line called VICE Cosmetics with a friend of mine Michelle which gained some traction and relative success. We did in-home consulting and makeup parties for charities and events and provided a full spectrum cosmetic line to our clients. It was a ride and such a learning – I realized A) my passion was rooted simply in the service aspect of this business; not the selling of a product. For me, it’s all about helping people feel and look their best selves through the art of makeup application via quality products. B) I was gifted at connecting with people teaching and enhancing upon people’s individual beauty; at helping them recognize the beauty within themselves. I adore teaching and didn’t fully grasp just how much until now in my career (2023 goal is to live more into that) C) I wanted to go about this solo and I really wanted to channel and focus my energy to develop a name for myself in the Wedding/Special Event sectors of my industry. SO I made that a goal… Ditched the business partner (lol) and switched gears. That’s when I became Courtney Lauren Beauty.
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?
Oh, it’s been a bit of everything! I have experienced times of great success and times of struggle, question and failure. Just like anything in life, some things come easily and some things you have to really work to develop. Some days you feel motivated and others you don’t. Life takes grit. Maintaining a certain level of success doesn’t come without: persistence, commitment and hard ass work in most every way. I believe the ability to adapt is key and learning from your failures is fundamental. Life is not linear and the one thing you can count on is that things are always changing and evolving, including self. Once that stops, you’re dead. think where I struggled is I had a need to move around a lot. So I moved my business location a lot. Think that worked against me ultimately finding that stability that I so craved for myself personally and professionally. I’m speaking more to my independent career, not when I was working for someone. Also, understanding and knowing your strengths and weaknesses. SO important. For me, asking for help in areas that I lacked was so pertinent.
For ex: I wasn’t always great with paperwork or storing information. There’s another level of organization that enables growth and opportunity in business. Once I “got that” handling everything coming my way became much more manageable. What else? I had to really learn how to protect myself. That may sound “woo woo”, but in this biz you’re so up-close and personal with people, the level of intimacy that is called for is very high. Essentially a makeup artist is holding and creating a safe space for someone/s to be their vulnerable self. Therefore, we have to be able to channel + let go of what isn’t yours and take care of our minds + bodies thereafter in order to keep facilitating this type of high vibrational space for others. I’ve def struggled with feeling depleted and it’s easy to stop doing all the things that give you energy when you feel you’ve given all your energy away. So knowing who and what type of person you are and what your individual needs are is helpful in developing a practice in this regard.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My niche’s are: Wedding’s/Bar Bat/Mitzvah’s/Engagement/Shower/Maternity/Corporate Shoots/Red Carpet/Workshops/Lessons
I consider myself “An enhancer of INDIVIDUAL beauty”
Bringing out one’s natural beauty is my jam!
What sets me apart is the level of care I impart. I always go over and beyond not only because I am a perfectionist and each face I touch is a representation of me, but because I truly from the depths of my being, care. That means, I more than not, stay longer than contracted, spend more time in trials than planned for and just give everything I’ve got to my clients, etc.-
I’m also a natural healer. So that most definitely speaks to what sets me apart from others. Honestly, I believe I came out of the womb with healing hands and the desire to help people through my empathy, healing touch. and creative abilities. Each person that sits in my chair feels that and often comments on my how my touch feels. Being certified in massage + reiki doesn’t hurt either. 😉
I’m also very melo + calming, thrive under pressure, am efficient, clean, organized, some call me the “Mary Poppins” of prepared. lol. I’m a pretty balanced cocktail. I especially think Bride’s and Wedding Planners appreciate that.
Little things – I love surrounding myself with inspiring people. I love mentoring. I love teaching. I love learning. My belief is there’s always more to do, more to grow and more than enough room for everyone!
Choosing just one thing that I’m most proud of is so difficult. I’m so proud of the relationships that I’ve cultivated along the way! Some have come and gone and some have sustained, but all have impacted me deeply and profoundly and made me a better person. But I think that having the honor of being a part of so many people’s special moments takes the cake. I mean, how incredible is it to have a part in that?! These are memories that (more than not) will stand the test of time. It’s pretty darn cool if you ask me. 😉
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I already got these concepts, but Covid reiterated them on a whole other level.
1) Everything is temporary
2) Connection is everything
3) Deep breathing brings you back to source
4) Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is freeing
5) How much time is waisted on things that have no bearing
6) Slowing down is an opportunity for preparation
7) Simplifying provides me with a sense of ease & contentment (purposeful living)
It also reminded me that plans more often don’t turn out exactly the way we intended/pictured them and at the least, the way in which we get there is not how we envisioned it. So being open to the ebbs and flows, catching yourself when you’re resisting that concept and learning to: realign, adjust, pivot will at minimum keep things moving forward…
Contact Info:
- Website: www.courtneylaurenbeauty.com
- Instagram: @courtneylaurenbeauty
- Facebook: Courtney Lauren Beauty
