Today we’d like to introduce you to Deloni Bennett
DeLoni, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Graduating high school and entering college in 2020 marked the beginning of my business journey. Like many others, I spent my time indoors, experimenting with different projects and hobbies to pass the time. I started with special effects makeup, but soon transitioned to more subtle glam looks during lockdown. This turned out to be an advantage as I was preparing to start college in just a few months.
My first semester of college was all about getting a feel for my new environment, but by the next semester, I began promoting my work and business. Within weeks, I became known as the campus makeup artist. Everyone wanted to look their best for campus events and parties—and I made sure they did!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. In fact, it took several friends to convince me to start my business in the first place. I’ve always struggled with self-doubt, and my makeup journey became deeply tied to my confidence. Early on, I would undercharge—or sometimes not charge at all—because I didn’t fully believe in my own worth. Constantly comparing my work to what I saw online only made it harder to feel satisfied with what I was doing.
It took years of experience in the beauty industry to realize that self-comparison was holding me back. Learning to trust my skills and value my work was a hard-earned lesson, but one that has been essential to my growth.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a makeup artist specializing in everyday glam looks and bridal makeup. Known for my creativity, I take pride in the fact that I’ve built a name for myself from scratch. When I started, I knew no one in the industry and came into college without any connections. Stepping out of my comfort zone to network was essential to getting my name out there.
What sets me apart is my compassion. I’m a very understanding person, and I believe that’s a crucial quality for a makeup artist. Many of my clients feel comfortable enough to open up and share their personal struggles while they’re in my chair. I’m always willing to listen because you never know what someone might be going through. The fact that clients feel safe enough to express their emotions and trust me with their stories shows me that they feel secure in my presence. Compassion like this is something I don’t see often in the beauty industry, and it’s what makes my approach unique.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
The biggest risk I took was buying all of my makeup supplies before having a set clientele. In a way, I had faith that I would make the money back—but I didn’t have any proof yet! I’m not usually a risk-taker and prefer to stay in my comfort zone, but I’ve learned that when I combine faith and logic with risk-taking, the rewards are usually worth it. And even if things don’t turn out as planned, at least I can say that I tried. From there, I can redirect my energy into a project that’s more aligned with my goals.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lonibearr/
