We recently connected with Melissa Gulley and have shared our conversation below.
Melissa, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I developed my confidence and self-esteem over time, a lot of time. It didn’t happen overnight, it was a journey. For a long time, I based my confidence on how others saw me or whether I felt “good enough.” But over time, I started doing the inner work. I started seeing myself the way God sees me. He sees me as loved, chosen, and enough. That changed everything. My worth wasn’t in looks, achievements, or people’s opinions anymore. It was in Him. Confidence came from showing up, even when I was nervous. Letting go of comparison, setting boundaries, and surrounding myself with supportive people helped me stop shrinking to fit in. Makeup played a huge role as well beacuse its not just as a skill but as a way to express who I am.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I think the most exciting thing about being a makeup artist is just helping women feel confident in their own skin. My makeup style is more natural. So I just want to enhance the beauty that is already there and just make women feel and believe that they are beautiful.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I would my top three are consistency, willingness to Learn and staying grounded in purpose.
Consistency
Showing up even when I didn’t feel “ready” helped me grow faster than waiting for perfection. Every look, every client, every challenge taught me something new.
Willingness to Learn
Being open to feedback, trying new techniques, and constantly learning made the difference between staying stagnant and evolving.
Purpose
Knowing my “why” whether it was helping someone feel beautiful, expressing creativity, or honoring God through my gifts kept me grounded and focused when things got hard.
To anyone starting out, I would say: You don’t need to have it all figured out. Stay consistent, stay humble, and stay connected to your purpose. Your journey is uniquely yours. Embrace it fully.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes, I’m absolutely open to collaborating or partnering with anyone who is in the makeup industry. I love working with fellow creatives, brands, and artists who are passionate about beauty, self-expression, and empowering others through makeup. Whether you’re a fellow content creator, makeup artist, skincare brand, or beauty business, I’m always excited to explore authentic and aligned partnerships. I’m always open and willing to learn new skills and take classes.
Even photographers, I’m definitely looking to enhance my portfolio. So I can really show case what I can do.
If you’re reading this, feel free to reach out:
Connect with me through email at slayandpray34@gmail.com
Or DM me on Instagram @slayedandpray
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slayedandpray?igsh=MWJwZ2t0NXB1ODlsMw==
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@withmelissarenee?si=hdDLuM0bkyDBofc7
Image Credits
Images were taken by myself and my daughter Marissa.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
