Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Allen.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Whitney. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
A few years ago, I was living at home with my parents, moderately depressed and feeling a void in my life. One day while bored, I began to watch makeup tutorials on YouTube and said to myself, “I LOVE THE CREATIVITY”! It was like performing beautiful art on human beings every single day for a living. I was extremely intrigued. I began to practice on myself and in a sense, it became a type of therapy for me. I created bold looks with colorful lips and dazzling eyes and instantly transformed from Registered Nurse Whitney to a fierce goddess with a positive attitude to match.
Not long after, I started to practice makeup on my sister and other members of my family. Then I progressed to paying clients. It wasn’t until then that I realized what an impact makeup has on people. Their entire mindset changed after seeing their finished looks. They gained confidence, self-love, and sassiness after getting up from my chair. I quite honestly feel an enormous amount of gratification and enjoyment from the pure feeling of helping other women help themselves. It’s as if they find a piece of them that was buried somewhere deep below being a mother, daughter, businesswoman, or life long friend. You know, when we look good, we FEEL good and in return, we begin to be good to ourselves.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has not been smooth at all but well worth the journey. There was a time when I almost gave up the makeup artistry side of my business. Right at the time of my clientele growing and purchasing my first time home to develop my in the home studio, my life took a drastic turn. Approximately six months later, I found out I was pregnant and shortly after that my brother was diagnosed with cancer. During this time, I struggled with both taking care of myself as an expecting mother but also being there for my only brother while going through chemotherapy and radiation. Thankfully, our family was a major help to us in more ways than one and we overcame. My brother passed from post complications due to chemotherapy ten days after my daughter was born. At that point, I questioned so much, including my purpose in my business. After having my daughter, I took a break but I decided to get back to performing beauty services and I have no regrets thus far.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Positive Faces story. Tell us more about the business.
I am the sole owner of Positive Faces Makeup and Lawai Lash and Co. I perform professional beauty/grooming services, where I specialize in soft, natural enhancements for people of color. I am known for my signature “skin-like” looks. I would say my business shows up in the beauty space as informative, cultured, and unconventional. My brand is a great balance of being aesthetically pleasing with an alluring attitude to match. I spotlight each of my clients with their own personal blurb every time I post their photos to my social media platforms. I take the time to highlight their physical attributes, but more importantly, their genuine characteristics upon posting their finished look as well. This lets them know they aren’t just a client, consumer, or another face, but they matter. They are important. They are vital. I educate and encourage them every chance I get.
My business slogan is “Beauty that Changes Lives” because I feel my work truly does this. After my clients have a beautiful experience and become a member of the Positive Face Posse, their energy is shifted. They have renewed value in self-care, which in turn helps them understand and appreciate their self-worth. I strive to only disperse positive energy, affirmations, and genuine healing to every individual I encounter.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The beauty industry is forever evolving, which I feel is great. Over the next 5-10 years, I foresee a transition into focusing on perfecting our skincare, self-care and overall health. With my business, I aspire to broaden the conversation of beauty beyond the brush. I don’t just want my clients to look beautiful – I want them to speak and think beautifully as well. I believe with a positive mindset, energy, and affirmations. I will change and transform the beauty industry. I center my business on a positive platform, physically, mentally, and spiritually. I am a licensed registered nurse as well so as I offer health and wellness advice to my clients. My primary focus is caring for and nurturing your holistic self.
Pricing:
- Full Face services start at $65 per face. I do not perform partial faces.
- Brow and strip mink lash extensions are available and start at $25.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.positivefacesmakeup.com
- Phone: 3344972663
- Email: info@positivefacesmakeup.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/positivefaces
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/positivefaces
Image Credit:
Detailed Imagez: Demon Mason
AWay Photography: Amanda Adamson
Bold as a Lion Studios: Genesis Niles
Blissful Moments: D.V. Foreman
Whasnex Photography and Graphic Design
Sina T. Photography: Thomasina Allen
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