We recently had the chance to connect with Rae Driscoll and have shared our conversation below.
Rae, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
Yes. There was a point in my makeup journey where I wanted to act fast in the worst way. Giving up. I felt like I was pouring my heart into creative looks but brands weren’t noticing me, and it was discouraging. I kept thinking maybe it just wasn’t meant for me, but something told me to slow down, breathe, and keep going. A few months later, the work started paying off. Brands finally began to see me, opportunities opened up, and I realized how close I had been to quitting right before everything started happening. I’m so glad I didn’t rush that decision.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m a creative makeup artist, and I’ve been in love with bold, artistic makeup ever since the 2016 makeup craze first inspired me to pick up a brush. Over the years, I’ve turned that passion into a platform where I focus on expressive, story-driven looks that blend beauty with artistry. What makes my work unique is the way I treat makeup as a form of visual storytelling. Every look has intention, emotion, and a bit of imagination behind it. Right now, I’m continuing to grow my brand, collaborate with more companies in the beauty space, and inspire others who are just getting started by showing that creativity and consistency really do open doors.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
For me, it was the larger beauty influencers I grew up watching who saw me clearly before I fully saw myself. Creators who were fearless, expressive, and unapologetically creative helped me recognize that there was space in the beauty world for someone like me. Even though they didn’t know me personally, their work showed me what was possible long before I believed I could get there myself.
Seeing their growth, their artistry, and the way they built genuine communities made me realize that my passion for creative makeup wasn’t just a hobby. It could become something real. They inspired me to keep pushing, even when I wasn’t being noticed by brands or when I doubted my own style. Over time, that influence helped me step into my own confidence and find my place in this space.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Honestly, I almost give up halfway through a lot of my makeup looks. There are moments when the vision in my head doesn’t seem to be matching what’s happening on my face, and I’m tempted to wipe it all off and start over, but I’ve learned to always see it through. Even if I don’t personally love the final result, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and some of the looks I’ve doubted the most end up resonating the strongest with others. Finishing what I start has taught me that creativity often comes together in the last few strokes.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, but to a point. The version of me that people see is absolutely me! My personality is fully tied into everything I create, but I also keep things professional and unbiased. I want my content to feel authentic without crossing into oversharing. The funny part is that even though I share my looks confidently, I still get nervous speaking in front of a camera. So the public me is real, just the most composed version of who I am behind the scenes.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely, yes! I create my looks because I want to, not because I feel pushed to. In the beginning, I was only sharing my makeup with close friends and family, and they were the ones who encouraged me to start posting publicly. So truly, I’d be doing these looks with or without praise or publicity. Makeup is something I do out of passion first, and everything else that comes from it is just a bonus.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@makeup.r.d
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r.d.makeup
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/makeup.r.d
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