Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Josalyn Williams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Josalyn, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I always felt unattractive growing up. I felt certain features could improve more to make me feel more pretty and more like a girl rather than a tomboy so I became fascinated anything beauty. I started playing around more with hair and makeup on anyone that would allow me to do it on them. Watching music videos on MTV using the current fashion and makeup as my inspiration. When others would see my work, more would ask me to do it for them. As early as middle school, I started doing more hair and makeup for banquets, proms, parties, even weddings. Whenever I saw a certain type of look, I would practice to try and mimic it. I use to draw a lot before but there was just something about creating art through doing hair and makeup that made me so invested in it. Sure enough I knew what I was going to become after high school, a cosmetologist. Once I found a school I wanted to learn it at, I was determined to attend that vocational school at all cost and also because they had the cutest uniform lol! My parents was hoping I’d pursue nursing or become an architect because they felt the beauty industry will not make a good living but I convinced them that if they send me to school there, I would be very beneficial to them, I’ll open up my own shop one day and become very successful and make them proud. So I passed with flying colors, got my licensed and landed a job as soon as I graduated. It was everything I could imagine. But 2 years in a reputable salon, I started to develop an allergy to hair color to the point I had to get steroid shots every time it triggered a bad breakout . My doctor suggested for me to change my career and this broke my heart. I was still determined to be in the beauty industry so I entertained going back to the beauty school I studied at to work there and the smell of hair color would trigger my allergy still so they sent me to work in the office and hated it. One of the workers there referred me to work at Supercuts when they were just known to cut hair. So I got hired right away, even became a shift manager. But being exposed to shampoos and hair styling products on the daily triggered my allergies again to the point where it was very painful to cut hair so I was force to look for an office job again just to make a living. My parents was hoping I’d go back to school to pursue what they wanted me to be but I refused. It made me depressed, hated my job until I started doing hair for my coworkers at the office. My boss even reserved one of the rooms for me to do it at during lunch break or after work and this made me happy enough to remain at that job. I got pregnant, got married and before you know it, I was vested in this job for 10 years and I felt unfulfilled because my first love for beauty is not something I was doing. Then one day I ran into an agent we work for and I thought at first she was upset because she looked like she was crying so I started to console her and she was like “Girl I’m not crying, I just got my eyeliner tattooed!” I’m like “What!!!” Then she started pointing at her eyebrows that she also got that tattooed, I was mesmerized by it and also because I thought I found the solution for my very own eyebrow problem because pregnancy just made most of my eyebrows fall out. So of course I asked her for the Permanent Makeup Artist she went to, made my appointment for consultation and felt an excitement. Then low and behold, the artist I went to see happens to be a former student at the beauty school that I went to and the very thing she asked me was, “Why are you working at an office job? You should learn this and work with me!” That spark that was missing for so long suddenly came back! I was inspired again especially after seeing the results with my own eyes That’s when I made a choice to leave my job and invest to learn this craft. I trained long and hard and got certified. I shadowed her for years just honing my skills and earned a senior level artist title, She had 2 locations and she trusted me to work out of one of the location on my own. My husband, who is my biggest fan, suggested that I should open my own shop like I always dreamed of having but I was scared to venture on my own because I just got super comfortable just coming in to work for someone else without the worry of running a business. But I was about to turn 40, either I do it now or never and that’s when Makeup for Keeps was born!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a Cosmetic and Paramedical Tattoo Artist. Ive been in this industry for the past 17 years. I help restore the look of eyebrows, eyeliner, lips and scalp. Most women even men may lose brow hair or lashes due to hormonal, health issues such as alopecia or simply from chemo treatments. Over the years, the cosmetic tattoo industry has developed different eyebrow styles to provide a particular look a consumer is looking for. Tattooed eyeliner may also help improve the look of sparse lashes and tattooed lips can help restore the definition and color correct the tone of your lips. Also having your cosmetic tattooed saves you time getting ready and never have to worry about them running or smearing all over. Scalp Micropigmentation helps to improve the look of a receding hairline or help camouflage thinning hair. Restorative tattoos such as Areola Tattoos helps to restore the look of their areolas and nipples due to breast cancer. Skin Re-pigmentation is when we tattoo skin color pigment to help camouflage a scar from plastic surgery or an injury. It can also help restore skin color on an individual that suffers from vitiligo. I am a 5 years breast cancer survivor as well and the most rewarding feeling I’ve experienced in my career is being able to use my skills sets to provide these services to my fellow breast cancer patients to help them heal and boost their confidence.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
When I look back to think what 3 things impacted my journey… 1. My determination to be what I believe I was born to do which is helping people feel beautiful both inside and out. Even after being challenged over the years someone telling you that you can’t be what you dreamed of doing due to health issues, best believe that life have its ways where it works itself out and have it work in your favor. It may feel like its the end of the world just don’t give up just yet! 2. There’s always new and innovative things in the world of beauty so never stop learning. Practicing and improving your skills just makes you better each time. 3. I’ve learned not to compare with other artists and just concentrate on your improvements. You can easily fall into it and end up comparing yourself to others where you’ll end up doubting your skills and your greatness. Just concentrate on you and just be the best at it!
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My husband has been my rock from day one. He is my true supporter, my number one cheerleader and always believed in my abilities to be awesome in all I do. One of the things that I always look back on, I had created a wish list back in the days and did you know that this man made sure everything is checked off on that list of mine including owning a shop! When everyone doubted what I can do, he believed in me. When I was challenged, he would remind me what I needed to do and rooted for me to keep going. When I was feeling defeated he would relentlessly cheer me on and when I was ready to give up and throw in the towel, he reminds me how great which makes me ugly cry it out then after all my drama was over, he asked me to try a different approach and see how that works. He has help me in so many ways to help build me up to the boss lady I am today and I couldn’t be more grateful. I love this man so much!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.makeup4keeps.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeup4keeps
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/com/makeup4keeps
- Other: https://www.vagaro.com/makeupforkeeps
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
