Meet Anahid Kaloyan

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anahid Kaloyan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anahid below.

Hi Anahid, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

At 13, I was bullied for experimenting with makeup on myself. People tried to make me feel small for doing something I loved. At that age every comment felt heavy, and I questioned whether I should stop expressing myself.

But makeup, for me, wasn’t just about “looking good.” It’s always been about creativity, Even when others doubted me . Slowly, I started to see progress, growth takes time and that their opinions didn’t define me.

By 17, something shifted. Instead of hiding, I started owning my passion. Confidence didn’t come overnight, but it built up through small wins: posting my work in Facebook, getting into contests and won a scholarship so I got my first makeup training totally free in LA.

My self-esteem grew when I understood this truth: makeup was my art, my voice, and no one could take that away.

Now, when I look back, I don’t see a 13 year-old who was “weird for wearing makeup.” I see someone brave enough to be herself, even when it wasn’t accepted. And that’s exactly what made me into the confident makeup artist I am today.

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 fell in love with makeup and art at 13, even when it meant being bullied for experimenting on myself. Instead of giving up, I kept going and that persistence shaped who I am today.

Over the past 15+ years, I’ve worked across TV, film, fashion weeks, magazines, red carpets, celebrities, private clients, and bridal, and I opened my own makeup studio offering beauty services, spray tanning, hair, makeup classes, and a cosmetic shop. But makeup has always been more than beauty for me it’s art, transformation, and storytelling.

My new project brings all of this full circle: using my artistic skills to create powerful, makeup looks that raise awareness for animal welfare and cruelty-free living. Through my work, I want to educate people about the hidden ways we contribute to cruelty and inspire more compassionate choices.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1- Practice makes master
Mastery doesn’t come overnight, when I look back at my first makeovers I can totally see how much I have improved.

2- Talent is not enough
Talent opens the door. Hard work, consistency, and growth keep you inside the room.

3- Never compare yourself to others
Your journey is uniquely yours, with its own timing, lessons, and milestones. What you see in someone else is just one chapter of their story you’re still writing your own. Focus on growth, not comparison.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

For a long time, I struggled with anxiety. It felt overwhelming, like something that controlled me. But with time, I realized anxiety is not my enemy it’s my compass. It shows me when I need to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with myself.

When I feel overwhelmed, I step into nature it could be a park, the beach, the mountains and let it ground me. Journaling helps me clear my thoughts. And yoga… yoga has been a game changer. As an artist, my mind often races, wanting to create more than I can handle. Yoga brings me back to the present moment, reminding me that balance is just as important as creativity.

Now, instead of fighting my anxiety, I listen to it. It’s my reminder to return to myself, to peace, and to presence.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Anahidkaloyan
• Linkedin: Anahidkaloyan

Image Credits

Photographers:

Gama Pixel
Anahid Kaloyan
Daniel Janesch