Meet Molingo Bayindu of ByLingaLooks in Kirkwood Area

Today we’d like to introduce you to Molingo Bayindu.

Molingo, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started in makeup while in my third year of college as just a side job to being in school. I eventually joined a company, MAC, and began to see that I could possibly have a career on my hands. After graduation, it just stuck to me. I absolutely loved it and honestly couldn’t see myself doing anything else. It was just that simple for me and I feel blessed to have found what I loved to do early in life. Immediately after college, I moved to Los Angeles with MAC to pursue my make up career further and find out what kind of woman I wanted to be. I learned so much while I was there, made so many connections, and had so many experiences. I was able to hit so many of my career goals and grow so much as an artist. I will never be able to repay LaLa Land for what she gave me, the opportunity to fall in love with myself and my passions.

After several certifications, an estheticians license, and a budding spa career, I made the very hard decision to come back to Atlanta. At this point, I had been living in LA for five years. I knew it would be a huge risk being that I had no clientele basis in Atlanta, but I missed my family and culture. I’m a traveler to my bones but my heart lies in the Dirty South, “ATL HOE!!” I shipped half my stuff and hopped on a plane. I’m happy to be home; however, being back has been such a huge learning experience for me. I recently became an entrepreneur and it has been one of the biggest challenges of my entire life. I thought I was grown and babaaayy… life has taught me the growing never stops. I am a tenured makeup artist, esthetician, lash technician, braider, body and face painter, and I custom blend essential oils for clients. I love everything about what I do on a daily basis. I never stop learning and growing, and I think that’s half the appeal of my industry for me. My ultimate goals are to possibly join the union, work on films, and own a successful business that caters to my passion of making people feel beautiful.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Some of the main struggles I encountered were people feeling intimidated by my talents and personality, attitudes concerning my prices, and business mishaps (like getting scammed and played). I’m not gonna lie prior to becoming a full-time entrepreneur, I probably wouldn’t have given a darn about those kinds of struggles. At the end of the day, there was no real risk for me when I could just lean back on my main job. As a sole entrepreneur though, I had to learn a lot of hard lessons. And not only about business. I had to learn about people, the kind of clientele I want, and the energies I can and can’t allow around me in order to be a successful businesswoman.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about ByLingaLooks – what should we know?
So I’m a makeup artist under the title ByLingaLooks on IG. That is the focus of my career goals and my main passion. If I’m known for anything, it’s for my wide range of makeup looks and passion for all things beauty. I love skin very much because I struggled with skin issues in my youth. So everyone knows that I love a good skin look and all things color, because those two factors are personal for me. My energy will always be what sets me apart from others. I absolutely love gassing people in my chair and getting them genuinely excited for their festive evening! I have very high energy. I can’t help it. When I am in the zone, I am liable to twerk on you, thank your mama for your high cheekbones, or straight up scream with anticipation at how awesome the look is turning out to be. With that said, I try to always remain humble and compatible (energy-wise) with my clients. Sometimes makeup can be like therapy. I always see spirits glow when I work with new mothers, recent divorcees, nervous brides, and especially self-conscious teens. I don’t just do makeup, I love on peoples self-confidence and bring creative visions to life.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Oh, I owe much of my growth to working the trenches in retail make up at MAC. Working with such an expansive company on so many different things I had no choice but to grow. There are so many makeup artists I’ve encountered throughout the years who have helped me hone my skills and release my inner artist. Too many to thank. The woman I call my MAC mama although we’re damn near the same age is Kat Quito. She was so opposite of me personality wise but the best leader I’ve ever had in my life. I learned a lot about who I am through work experiences with her. She’s just a solid human being and an awesome business woman. My most adamant cheerleaders have always been my eldest sister Tosha and my love Renee. Whenever I’ve doubted myself, I’ve always been able to turn to them to make me cut out the toxic thinking and remember who I am and what I’m capable of. I couldn’t imagine life without them.

I have some of the most faithful clients I could ever ask for. Women and men that will fly to me, send for me, and make sure they get on my books if I am in the vicinity. Several of them are from my early days in my career and California. I love them all; they help shape me into a better woman every time we work together whether its to achieve the perfect brow or turn them into a fantastical creature.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1648 Memorial Drive SE
  Atlanta, GA
• Email: bylingal@yahoo.com
• Instagram: @bylingalooks
• Facebook: Bylingalooks

Image Credit:
@andrebrownphoto, @rarifilms (yellow pic), @akila.andre (pastel teal jacket pic), @indcityproductions (SFX bullet wound)

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.