Today we’d like to introduce you to Tajah McDonald.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve loved makeup since I was a little girl. I loved watching my mom put it on and seeing what the outcome of everything was at the end. Watching makeup being done is somewhat therapeutic for me. I started seriously doing my makeup when I was around 19. I already knew how to do my brows and liner and put on lashes but I had never done a full face until my 19th birthday. The year I turned 18, I got my makeup done for my birthday and told her what I wanted. The makeup turned out nice and it was really pretty but wasn’t exactly what I envisioned in my mind. That day, I realized that the only way my makeup will look the way I want is if I do it myself. So that’s what I did and I quickly realized I was naturally very good at it. I loved drawing growing up so my hands were steady and I liked experimenting with different colors and makeup looks. People started seeing the makeup I was doing on myself and asking if I’d be able to do theirs. I was nervous at first because I know how my face and what compliments me but as far as other face shapes, I didn’t. So, I started researching and watching videos of other makeup artists doing their thing and knew that I wanted to make a living out of this. It just doesn’t feel like work to me and I’m in the process of expanding and building my clientele for Lethal Glam now.
Alright, 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?
Honestly, sometimes I think I’m my own biggest obstacle. I tend to overthink things and get nervous because I’m a perfectionist so I never want anybody walking around looking crazy because of me. I’ll literally redo something over and over again until I get it right if I don’t like it. My best friend, Jania, is a big part of me getting as far as I have today. I always said I wanted to practice doing makeup on other people before I actually started charging customers for it. Then my brain would start overthinking and I kept procrastinating. Then my best friend texted me saying her friend asked if she knew anybody that did makeup because the friend needed hers done for her birthday. So she recommended me. I agreed and thanked her for providing this opportunity for me but on the inside, I was freaking out. I had never done anyone makeup but my own and it was the girl’s birthday so I definitely didn’t want her to look anything other than absolutely stunning. Even though I was nervous, I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity. I contacted the friend and let her know my situation and that this would be my first time doing someone’s makeup so I wouldn’t charge her anything crazy since she’s really my first client. I literally splurged on various makeup products for her at ulta the following days. She was very sweet and encouraging and gave me a chance to put my skills to the test on her special day. She had seen the makeup I did on myself on my Instagram page and really believed in me and trusted me with her face without knowing me from a can of paint. That made me want to do even better. To make a long story short, those two women helped me overcome one of my biggest struggles in getting started and I’m grateful for it. My biggest obstacle now is getting my name out there and attracting more clientele for Lethal Glam. Sometimes it’s hard with my work schedule because someone will need their makeup done on a day that I work and I can’t always free up my time. My time will come where I won’t have to choose working over my passion but for now, I still have bills to pay so I have to find a way to balance both and still make progress to get to where I want to be in this business.
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 probably most known for my cut creases because I love doing them. Who doesn’t love a good clean cut crease? My full faces aren’t too dramatic but still sculpts my client’s faces nicely which is something I’m proud of because the full face I did on myself for my 19th birthday—babay, muddy and cakey looking. I hated it in real life but it looked nice in pictures and videos. I’ve definitely came a long way and developed better ways to apply makeup so that it looks natural but still flawless. I’m constantly trying to learn new things and try out different makeup looks to challenge myself. I believe what sets me apart is that the money isn’t what drives me. Yeah, it’s nice but trusting the process, watching how you turn a blank canvas into art, seeing the finished product; that’s what really makes me feel good after. The entire process provides a short escape from the stresses of life and helps me focus on expressing myself creatively. Makeup therapy is very real and I love it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t think of it as luck, but more so the people I know believing in me and giving me opportunities to show what I can do by referring me as a makeup artist when they get asked. They have been a big part in getting my name out there since I’m still in the fairly beginning stages of it all. I’m learning to break out of my comfort zone a bit more to promote myself and accept the opportunities that are provided for me, despite my anxiety.
Pricing:
- Mini Face – $40
- Soft Glam – $65
- Hardly Soft Glam – $70
- Baby Doll Glam – $80
- Lethal Glam – $90
Contact Info:
- Email: booklethalglam@gmail.com
- Website: https://lethalglam.as.me/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lethalartiste/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/lethalartistemakeup/
