Today we’d like to introduce you to Emmalee Mims.
Hi Emmalee, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi! Thank you. I was interested in makeup all throughout middle and high school – during the rise of YouTube “beauty gurus” haha. I never realized or connected the dots that it could be a profession until seeing professional artists on YouTube! In 2017, I went to Industry Makeup Academy to get certified and to turn my hobby into a career. IMA taught me all the information – color theory, face/eye shapes, sanitation, etc. From there, I started working at MAC to gain the experience! This is where I started doing makeup on all different skin types and skin tones. In 2019, I left MAC and decided to start freelancing! It was a scary jump and I didn’t have much of a community in makeup or know how to build a clientele. Connections and clients came slow, and I decided to start working in bridal. I have worked with over 100 bridal clients since then and have even started to dip my toes in the commercial/editorial space – which I am so excited about!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Doing makeup full-time has not been an easy road at all for me, hahaha. I took a big risk leaving MAC – I had no established clientele, barely a plan, not really any connections… honestly, sometimes I wonder, “what was I thinking?!” But it’s truly been by the grace of God and the support of my immediate family. Where I’m from, the artist “community” was very cliquey and I was very insecure with trying to establish connections. I remember emailing a top makeup artist where I’m from asking if I could assist her and the reply I got back was literally, “lol good luck.” – eep! After that, I really stuck to myself and handed out cards to select professionals in my area because I was afraid of being burned by the artists here. I don’t really know what happened, but one day something just clicked and I realized I need to stop shying away from people in my industry and instead work WITH them.
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Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a makeup artist specializing in bridal, beauty, and creative beauty work. I am most known for helping brides achieve a natural, classic look that lasts their whole wedding day through dancing, happy tears, and even this GA humidity! I am also super proud of and excited for the work I have been accomplishing lately in the beauty/creative beauty space. Last year, a resolution of mine was to work more photoshoots and see if that was a field of artistry that I felt may be a good fit for me as I feel bridal has been.
Spoiler – I absolutely love it! Being able to experiment with beauty looks and bring the photographers’ and art directors’ visions to life has been really fun and stretched me a lot. A photographer I work with regularly always jokes with me about how organized I am. I come to the shoots with face charts and plans and she absolutely loves it! Hahaha.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Just DO it. Connect with others. Stop waiting on other people to approach you. No one knows you and is rooting for you if you’re not doing what it takes yourself!
Believe in yourself! Be confident and more than anything- practice, practice, practice! Build a business you 1) believe in and 2) have fun with! INVEST in yourself and your business.
I wish I realized how far relationships went and how much just putting myself out there would benefit my business and my heart- as cheesy as it sounds. Make friends. Keep the good people close to you. Have fun. 🙂
Contact Info:
- Email: Emmalee.elmmakeup@gmail.com
- Website: Www.emmaleemimsartistry.com
- Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/emmaleemimsartistry
- Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/emmaleemimsartistry
Image Credits:
Ashah Photography – applying makeup on bridesmaid photo Jamicah Moore – natural makeup with sky background and red off center lip photos Savannah Rose – pearls photo and metallic liner photo Mary Beth Wood Photography – bridal shot with veil For Always Photo – waterfall wedding
