Today we’d like to introduce you to Yvonne Barclay.
Yvonne, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I was younger, I was into art first. The walls on my side of the room were filled with my artwork. In late elementary school, I developed a new obsession with Seventeen magazines. My oldest sister would always buy them and I looked forward to reading about the skincare/makeup products and tips. I was into the cute press-on nails, $1 earrings, and lip glosses from the beauty supply store. All the girly stuff, the whole nine. I also liked the cute Lil teenage love stories. [chuckles] I was learning about things I had no business knowing. However, that is what introduced me to my next level of artistry within beauty.
By my freshman year in high school, I tried to push the gun with makeup but my oldest sister said I could only wear two things at the time: concealer and mascara, but one day I just decided to do more and more. It was over after that. By senior year, I was doing makeup for my friends and at that time, I had no idea what I wanted to do after high school. I didn’t know what major would best suit me. I didn’t know my niche was. I just knew I was going to make my life something great. The college tours I took I enjoyed, but the majors they offered just didn’t woo me at the time. Close to graduation is when my counselor told me all about Cosmetology and I went to school for just that. Again, close to graduation for Cosmetology, I told my instructor I felt like I wasn’t finished with my education. So she advised me to find a school and take a tour for Aesthetics. I did just that I immediately said this is it. Boom, I enrolled to start that fall.
Balancing out life during that time became a bit much going to school and work full-time, sometimes working seven days a week. After doing fashion shows, photoshoots, and clients of my own, I decided to put the brush down to focus on school and work. Thought to myself, “I’ll hold off on makeup for now.” It was an inner battle for me even after graduation and state board to start back again because I felt so far behind. After a year and a half, I had a nudge in my spirit to do makeup again. I say 2018 was me getting back in the groove with my artistry, including playing with the business side. 2019 is when I actually decided to be about my business. It was all God, by the way, I had no intentions of mixing my art and business all in one. But God. [chuckles] Here we are today with Vonbarartistry.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I would say some major struggles for me were my cultural background, not feeling worthy, and between the scenes of business. My father is from Liberia and my mother is from Dem. Rep of the Congo (DRC). Both very traditional African parents but I am born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. So I literally have a lot of different vibes and expressions, but at times they don’t mesh. Makeup artistry was not a career choice for them. It was looked at more like a hobby. I was supposed to be a lawyer, a doctor, or a nurse. [chuckles] Sounds cliché, but that’s how it is. That just wasn’t for me and I stood by that. Now they are overwhelmingly supportive are of what I do. I just love that factor alone.
Going back down memory lane both times, I was in school for Cosmo and Aesthetics. I dealt with a little mean girl activity. Don’t we all. My classmates were amazing, but then there are those one or two that try to plant those tiny seeds. With me being so young and not knowing enough of who I was, I allowed those seeds to grow into me feeling unworthy and later evolved even bigger into fear. That was foolish of me because later on, not only was I reminded by those around me but– I had to realize for myself that they saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself at that time in my life. Sometimes it still creeps up on me, but I have amazing people in my life that I’m super grateful for and blessed to have. [chuckles] They knock me across my head sometimes. Lastly, what I would say is and has been a challenge is people not knowing the behind the scenes of being a makeup artist. I don’t blame them because that’s not their shoes to walk in. Honestly, there’s a lot of work to put in and detail in every part of it. From customer service, preparation, sanitation, inventory, equipment, and mobility to name some things. Those like me who really care, we do our part so that you can enjoy your service and receive exceptional quality work.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Vonbarartistry – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Vonbarartistry is a growing company that currently offers makeup services from Beauty Editorial, Bridal, Soft glam, and full-on Glamour. I am an aesthetician and I currently specialize in makeup, waxing, and skin analysis. What I am known for are my soft glam and bridal looks. I’m most proud of my investment and growth within my business. There are many other things to be proud of like my self-accountability and being able to still remain professional but also adaptable. What I’m mainly told by those around me is attention to detail, my patience, and my good spirit set me apart from others. [grins] And I’m inclined to agree with them. I don’t like to rush like a madwoman with my business or any service. I take extreme pride in nourishing my company.
By that, I put my all into it, heart, body, and soul and it shows. I’m literally like an artist trapped inside of a boxed room and I’m unavailable until my masterpiece is finished. I get super focused on my work. Staying knowledgeable in the products I use/recommend down to the ingredients. Making sure to use what works well with my clients’ skin, matches their skin tone, and give lasting results. I make sure my clients are assured when they sit in my chair, whether it’s their first time or hundredth time receiving a service. I like to give them free reign to collab and create and make sure that they’re satisfied. I don’t push my own agenda on them unless they give me the go-ahead to do so. Keeping them informed during each step and overall being relatable. By that, I enjoy the conversations and speaking life into my customers when they come to see me. I like to vibe out while doing makeup in a cool, copasetic atmosphere for me and my glam babes.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans for the future are to continue being a student of the art, invest in my business and watch it flourish. I definitely would love to put a stamp on things on the legal side, eventually, start offering 101 sessions and additional services. It’s all in the works. God is at the center of it all, so you’ll have to stay tuned for what’s next!
Contact Info:
- Email: vonbarartistry@gmail.com
- Instagram: @vonbarartistry
Image Credit:
Professional Photos: Jarel Walker
Instagram: @whoisrel
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