October 16, 2016

Meet Forest Park Makeup Artist: Tourissa Toussaint

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tourissa Toussaint.

Tourissa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I first got interested in makeup while I was attending Atlanta Technical College for Cosmetology in 2011. I wasn’t really a big “makeup wearer” back then but somethings about it fascinated me. I end up having to take a break from school to work a full-time job so I could better provide for my two daughters as a single mother. During that break I was making great money as a Store manager, taking care of my responsibilities, everything was going good but I wasn’t happy, I was miserable there.

Here I was a single mother working a job that paid the bills but I never had time for my kids or myself, because I was working 40+ hours. I needed change badly, so I begin to apply for other jobs, I knew that before I left that job I need to have another one lined up. During that time i reconnected with one of my good friends from Cosmetology school who owned a Salon in Forest Park, GA, and I was looking for someone to color my hair and asked her if she could do it for me. I confided in her about how I was feeling about my job and how no other jobs that I applied for was calling me back and that I just didn’t know what to do, I remember her saying to pray about it and to trust God. And this exactly what I did. Things at work wasn’t going great, I found out that my manager was stealing from the company, and because of it the let go of the entire office. I wasn’t even sad, I was at peace with it.

I remember going to get my hair done and talking to my friend venting to her as she vents to me, she tells me that she needs an assistant and a makeup artist, and I needed a job so of course I said I’ll do it. She laughed and said I’m serious and I said I was too, we set up a time to talk about business and I started working at her salon “Studio 211”. When I first started I had nothing, no makeup kit or business name. I didn’t know where to start so I shadow a couple of well known makeup artist and learned a lot. I was on Instagram and saw that BeatFacehoney was having a makeup class and I knew that I had to attend. I went to the class with my notebook and pen ready to take notes, I remember writing down every product she used and going online that next day and purchasing mostly all of the “must haves” on the list. I started to practice on friends and taking pictures of my work. I decided on a business name “Makeup By Tourissa”, made a Instagram and order business cards. I also made a Model Mayhem profile and started looking for gigs. I got booked for my first fashion show from that site and did so well that they used me again for another fashion show. I was also referred by one of the makeup artist I shadowed for a fashion show at the W hotel and was featured in jezebel/ modern luxury magazine. Since then I have done lots of bridal events and weddings, photo shoots, and built a strong reputation for natural beautiful makeup with my clients. I just amazes me to see how far I’ve come, just this young girl not knowing much about makeup in the beginning and now this young women who stepped out on faith to have her own business where people are asking me to host makeup classes.

Everyday I strive to get better on my craft because I absolutely love what I do. I truly believe that I am doing what I’m meant to be doing because I have never felt so at peace and happy. I realized how everything I went through was necessary so that I could get to this point in my career. I’m not where I want to be in my career but I’m definitely not where I used to be, I am so grateful for growth and for the courage to trust the process.

Has it been a smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road for me. In this industry it can become very inconsistent, meaning some weeks are better than others. Some weeks you’ll be booked up and others you won’t.

How would you describe the type of kid you were growing up?
Growing up I was very outgoing. I loved to sing and dance so much, that I did it all throughout grade school. I was my mother’s free spirit child. I loved life and saw the best in everything.

Is there a specific memory from when you were younger that you really miss?
I remember making up songs and dances with my sister Lisa in our backyard and just having such a blast

What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to continue building my company by gaining more clientele, networking, doing more events such as bridal and fashion shows. I would also like to start up a charity that would give makeovers to women with cancer.

Pricing:

Full Glam $65. Enhance your natural beauty with a full face glam session. Includes foundation, blush, strip lash( individual for extra fee $25) custom eyeshadow etc.. **On Sundays and Mondays there is a $20 Booking Fee**
Mini Glam $45. A very natural, yet polished look That includes basic foundation, eye shadow, lipstick/gloss, strip lashes. Does not include brow arch, contouring, or highlighting.

Contact Info: