Today we’d like to introduce you to Malia Christina.
Malia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story… as a young girl, if anyone would have asked me what I wanted to be when I got older, the response was always a doctor. I think as kids we are given five careers, doctor, teacher, lawyer, a police officer, and firefighter and are told to choose one. Although a doctor was a pretty good career goal I found myself completely in love with the idea of having my own business. Every summer, I was something different. I walked dogs, babysat and cleaned homes and each summer job was a full-fledged business in my eyes! I kept this same way of thinking until I got pregnant at 17 and my imagination started to change. During that time from 15-19 years old, I experienced some of the worst years of my life. I didn’t feel like I had a purpose until makeup found me! I specifically remember the first time I fell in love with makeup. Her name was Gloria, she was my neighbor in California. She used to curl her lashes with the lash curler and I didn’t know why at the time but that was so interesting to me! I didn’t know I would be a makeup artist but I knew I was in love with makeup and that burning desire was all I needed. After being so broken for years, I consumed myself with all things makeup as an outlet and honestly, between having my son and having makeup, it was truly my saving grace. I did makeup on just myself for two years and didn’t have my first client until 2012! I was doing pretty well for a couple of years until I let myself get discouraged based on my style of makeup not being popular at the time. I focus on natural looking makeup and at the time dramatic brows and heavy concealer was popular. I stopped taking appointments for a few years but a quote always sat with me. “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” I decided to unapologetically mind my business and have since launched my website this year on April 7th. My website is a place where you can book makeup appointments, order from my lash line and indulge on useful information about all things beauty and makeup! I am so excited to share everything I know with anyone who needs it. The ultimate goal for me is to be here to be in service to someone else!
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?
Nothing worth having comes easy. I appreciate things more when my blood, sweat and tears and involved. The first challenge was about being a teen mom. Everything is harder when you’re a kid having a kid. I knew ultimate failure wasn’t an option for me so I learned how to balance everything, work, school, makeup and being a mom. The second challenge was not knowing who I was and standing firm on my WHY. I got caught up in the “comparison act” and that is the thief of joy. Once my joy was gone, that burning desire for makeup started fizzling out. I come from a corporate family so the information/knowledge I have gained about entrepreneurship has come from seminars, conferences, books, classes, hands-on experiences, and the best teacher… failures. I currently am still learning how to balance being a woman first, a mom of now three sweet children, a wife, flight attendant and business owner! I encourage everyone to figure out what their WIN is! Knowing your purpose makes it easier to deal with obstacles.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a makeup enthusiast! I mastered doing makeup on myself first and then taught myself how to do makeup on other people. I specialize in enhancing natural beauty! My beauty blog is a community where I can share all of my tips, tricks, and secrets about all things beauty and makeup. I also launched a lash line that I’m too excited about. They are all 3D cruelty-free mink lashes. The styles range from natural to dramatic. The first collection, inspiration collection sold out in 1 month and the second collection imagination collection will be launching in August. lashes can be worn 20-25 time and they are lightweight! Everything is available on my website www.maliachristina.co! I am a genuine person. I think what sets me apart is my willingness to share information and that I treat people right. There is enough abundance to go around!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I personally named all of my lashes and the names were inspired by my personal characteristics. Audacious, passion and relentless! I have invested a lot of time, energy and money into my business and made a lot of big risks and my passion feeds that. I am relentless in my purpose so that is what compliments my success.
Pricing:
- all 3d mink lashes $15
Contact Info:
- Website: www.maliachristina.co
- Phone: 678.575.1229
- Email: info@maliachristina.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ily.maliachristina/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ily.maliachristina
- Other: https://youtu.be/f28YEDmVGFE
Image Credit:
Jerrina Montgomery
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.
