Today we’d like to introduce you to Derrica Marshall.
Hi Derrica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you for the opportunity! I am originally from upstate, NY (Rochester) I grew up the baby of 4 and a family of many different talents. My mother is a very good cook my older brother was a Master Barber and owned his own business. My sisters are interior decorators and business owners themselves. Then there’s me!
So, I never really been an artist in the traditional sense. With a palette in hand and brushes but art always found me whether it was with music, dancing, improv, etc. I always had a knack for it. I found myself falling into makeup to what I believe was “later” on in life. I had just got a notice from my employer that after working for their company for five years that it was shutting its doors back home. I sat back and really thought about what I wanted out of life. Working for a place that I gave my best years to, only for it to be taken without any regard. I packed up my little ol car and moved from NY to ATL and fell into makeup by accident. Eight years later, I have never been more happy with my decision. If you would have told me in 2013 that I would be doing makeup and flying across the country doing what I love, I would have asked you if you were feeling okay, lol.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It most definitely has not. Having been told no many of times dealing with imposter syndrome before you had ever even heard the term and trying to navigate through that was very hard and unsettling. Working a 9-5 while attempting to make your career happen is not for the weak. Recently, I have taken another leap of faith and decided to do my career full time where I can really focus on my craft is scary but I wish I had done it sooner. So check back with me in a year to see where I am then, lol.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a makeup artist with a concentration in Film/TV, Editorial, Commercial, Beauty and Bridal work. I am most proud of my determination to never give up when times I didn’t think I could see myself through it. I have worked and partnered with brands who saw the beauty in my work and for that, I am forever grateful. I believe what sets me apart from other makeup artists is my drive to succeed, the grace I extend myself when I don’t get something right the first time. My resilience to keep going, my organic energy that I pour into my clients when I work with them and my transparency that it’s okay to not have everything all figured out. People want to be able to see themselves in you even if they haven’t met you. I pride myself on authenticity.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Me! Lol I mean that in the most humbling way possible. I am proud of myself for not giving up on myself. Being able to be the person I want to see for myself so I can be that for others. Showing up for myself so I can pour into others. But most of all there’s a few people in my life that has made my journey as an artist a lot more enjoyable and worthwhile. My mentor/friend Keita for teaching valuable lessons as a makeup artist but most importantly that no matter your status in the industry, that the easiest thing you can be is a good, solid friend and decent human being. I will forever value him for that. Lastly but definitely not least my mother. I don’t know a harder working woman, a selfless individual as her. She is the epitome of hard work and tenacity. She has shown me my entire life what working towards a goal means and looks like. She’s the reason why giving up on myself is never an option. Because she never gave up on anything she ever set her mind to and I feel I would be doing her a disservice if I allowed myself to do so. She’s my inspiration.
Contact Info:
- Email: Deckedoutbeauty@gmail.com
- Website: Deckedoutbeauty.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/deckedoutbeauty
Image Credits:
Photographers: @bdotwilkins @yishaqphoto @taylorbee @jordyn.ari
