Today we’d like to introduce you to AJ Mara.
Hi AJ, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Thank you so much for this opportunity; I’m very grateful! I had just finished my sophomore year of college, and was entirely dissatisfied. My grades were great, but I was emotionally unfulfilled and generally easily triggered (I was going to school in St. Louis, only 15 minutes away from Ferguson; I will let you do the math). I’d been raised to believe all my life that grades would get me “there”, but after getting a taste of “there” I was not impressed. So I used one of my university scholarships to take a chance and do something I had always wanted to do: learn the ins and outs of makeup. I received my certification from Industry Makeup Academy in May 2016, and I’ve been learning and growing in my craft ever since, doing everything from editorial to bridal makeup.
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 certainly wasn’t smooth sailing. Almost everything was a bit of a struggle, just because it was new. I learned really early that you can never have enough details for a booking. I started out doing TFP (basically free work in exchange for photos) and jumped at the opportunity to assist with a fashion show. Little did I know that there were 15 to 20 models, and only two makeup artists to do all of them in a three hour timeframe.
I also learned way more than I ever wanted to know about business taxes (specifically how setting up as a sole proprietor versus LLC can help and harm you). And with that, I also learned that I really don’t like business LOL. I love the art of makeup, but at my earliest financial convenience I will be getting an accountant.
Ultimately, you don’t know what you don’t know until you experience it. I tried having everything laid out and planned to the T, and still I have had hiccups. But those hiccups have also helped me learn and grow, not just as an artist but as a person, and I do my best to always keep that in mind.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do makeup that enhances the beauty that’s already there, and I consider that a specialty. With the rise of social media, there’s been a slight change in what is considered good makeup; it almost seems like the more you can get away from your natural face, the more it’s considered beautiful. Let me be clear here: I have mad respect for SFX and more dramatic makeup artists (and their art). I’m just saying, my natural aesthetic doesn’t seem to be aligned with what’s trending at the moment. However, sticking to my artistry and my style of makeup has brought me clients that I genuinely vibe with and vice versa; to me, that’s priceless. I’m at a point in my life where I’m learning (on multiple levels) to stop being a chameleon to my surroundings, so I’m actually very proud of the fact that I’ve done makeup my way–the way that feels right. I don’t have a million popular products in my kit, but I do have what works for me. I’ve realized that the more I honor myself as an artist, the happier I am with the work that I put out, so it’s really a win-win if you just let me have creative control (just kidding…kind of).
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I LIVE for the opportunities in Atlanta. There’s always something to do, someone to meet, something to create, something to be inspired by. Opportunities and options are the two things that made me believe I wanted to live in a big city when I was back home in Little Rock.
But the traffic may singlehandedly kill that belief.
Contact Info:
- Email: ajmara@yahoo.com
- Website: https://www.ajmaramakeup.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajmaramakeup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ajmaramakeup
Image Credits
Kerry Beech Sheretta Danielle
