Meet Donielle Jackson of Beautysprotege

Today we’d like to introduce you to Donielle Jackson.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been a makeup artist for eight years now. My love for makeup came to me when I was 15. I remember my sister Brittany came home with a few of her friends and they all worked at mica beauty kiosk in our local mall. All I can remember is a bag full of pigments pouring on to my sister’s bed, and I was blown away by the colors.

Every day I would watch my sister and her friends apply the eyeshadows, and one of her friends was great at drawing paw prints on her lids, which I thought was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen, and just like that, I was hooked. I immediately hopped on my computer and went to YouTube and typed in “bright makeup” and the first video I saw was from Jackie Aina, and she did a bright look that blew me away.

That’s when I knew that being a makeup artist was what I was called to do. My dad could see that I was crazy about makeup and he was very supportive from the start. So supportive that my father sold his dream car that he worked years to get (20 years to be exact) just so I could go to makeup school. That was all the motivation I needed.

July 2011, I graduated first in my makeup class and next thing I knew I was interning on projects like Playboy and New Beauty-magazine. Now everything wasn’t all glitter and gold for all eight years. Working as a freelance makeup artist in Los Angeles was a very difficult route for me as far as learning to promote myself as an artist and networking with total strangers.

Also with me being the artist in the family, I was the one to step out of the “norm” of getting a 9 to 5 and actually chasing my dreams to become one of the biggest avant-garde artists in the makeup industry. I had a lot of support, but I didn’t get as much advice, so I hit a lot of roadblocks as well as setbacks where I didn’t work for months.

But my passion for makeup keeps me going every day and eight years later I’ve done more than thought I could ever do. I’ve been a glitter artist for a gypsy shrine for music festivals, and I’ve done makeup on many music videos as well as fashion shows.

Now I’ve branched out into doing makeup modeling for LAsplash Cosmetics. Makeup has taken me places I’ve never could’ve imagined, and I’m only getting started. Plus, I promised myself I would buy my Dad his dream car again — a dream for a dream.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
This journey has been the most humbling journey, and I’m so proud that I’ve made it through. Some of the biggest struggles were homelessness and depression. Being an up and coming makeup artist a lot of my work I would do would be free or for a trade. So I would do that part-time and work a side job. I had no car, so I would literally bus three hours for a gig. I didn’t care how far or what time it started I’m there.

With depression, it really held me back and made me sit down for months, and I wouldn’t even look at a brush. My confidence would cave, and it was some of the most challenging I went through, and it’s a challenge to this day. But makeup keeps me going and my love for creating gives me joy. So I always find myself back to creating.

Beautysprotege – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Like my grandma would say I’m a one-stop shop. I’m a makeup artist first but I also style hair (braiding especially), upcoming photographer, glitter body artist and I’m getting into costume designing. I’ll always be known for my makeup creations

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
As a company, I’m mostly proud of my passion and drive. Makeup session with me is fun and therapeutic. I love speaking with all my clients about products and skin care.

Giving someone a beat face and some knowledge along with it will be greatly appreciated. I treat all my clients like family. I want them to feel even more beautiful when they leave. One day makeup day with me will be the best day you ever had.

Pricing:

• 65 full face
• 100 full fave plus travel within Los Angeles

Contact Info:

• Phone: 3109806178
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Instagram.com/beautysprotege

Image Credit:
http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/1357535

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