We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mikayla Dacko a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Mikayla, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Growing up as a theater kid, I developed a deep passion for the arts and discovered early on that creativity is my greatest strength. While I didn’t pursue acting, I found my spark in makeup brushes, transforming faces and bringing visions to life through the art of cosmetics. Makeup holds a profound place in my life because it celebrates individuality, restores confidence, and pushes boundaries—all while offering endless possibilities.
Whenever I’m in front of a model or client, working my magic, the chaos of the world fades away. In those moments, I’m fully present, doing something that lights up my soul. As an empathetic person, I’ve always cared deeply about the impact I leave on others. Knowing I’ve helped even one person—or a thousand—feel more beautiful is the greatest gift, and I’m endlessly grateful to call this my career.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My makeup journey began in my early years, and now, with 11 years of experience in makeup artistry, I’ve had the privilege of working in a variety of settings. I started by doing makeup for friends, family, photoshoots, proms, birthdays, and even a few trusting brides. There wasn’t a week that went by without me watching YouTube tutorials and spending hours practicing on myself or others – even if that meant putting homework aside for a moment (oops!).
At 18, once I could legally work, I continued to follow my dreams and began my career in the beauty retail industry, where I spent much of my late teens and 20s. There, I gained valuable experience with products, provided makeup services for clients, and developed my skills in sales and customer service. Despite the challenges of retail, I absorbed everything I could and carried those lessons into my freelance career.
I specialize in color theory and precise color matching, ensuring that every client’s unique features are celebrated and enhanced. I take pride in being a diverse Makeup Artist with a fully equipped kit designed to serve every skin tone, age, and gender. My mission is to create inclusive beauty experiences that make every individual feel seen, valued, and radiant. One hour can completely change the way someone sees themselves and I aspire to make that difference.
My experience spans multiple areas of makeup artistry, and I enjoy creating everything from natural, soft-glam looks to bold, editorial designs. While much of my time is now focused on bridal makeup, I’m excited to explore new opportunities in fashion and TV/film makeup, pushing my creativity to new heights!
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?
As I began my career in makeup, I noticed a common pattern: people want to feel like themselves—just enhanced. Taking those extra minutes to perfect a winged liner, ensure the foundation seamlessly matches the neck and body, and pay attention to details like eye color, hair color, and features that make someone truly shine is everything. Makeup is an art, and understanding the importance of color theory and how colors interact on the skin is essential.
Think about TV or film makeup—when the tones used don’t suit the character’s complexion, or the foundation shade is noticeably off, it’s distracting in a way that pulls viewers out of the story. Now imagine your wedding day. If your makeup doesn’t complement your unique features or your color match is off, it can affect how you feel about yourself on one of the most important days of your life. This is why I dedicate time to perfecting the little details that make all the difference.
Patience is truly a virtue in this field. Admittedly, patience hasn’t always been my strong suit, but as I’ve grown both personally and professionally—as a business owner and freelance artist—I’ve learned that success doesn’t happen overnight. Achievements often start small, with compliments, positive reviews, or referrals, and eventually grow into publications, fully booked schedules, word-of-mouth clients, and larger opportunities.
Connecting with other creatives in the industry has played a key role in opening doors for me to grow and learn. But one of the most important skills I’ve developed has little to do with makeup and everything to do with connecting with people. Clients want to feel safe and heard when they’re in your chair. This goes beyond the makeup itself. Over the years, I’ve shared some of the best laughs, listened to incredible stories, and learned valuable life lessons from my clients. These connections have shaped me not just as an artist but as a person, enriching my work and my outlook.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with some of the most incredible photographers, wedding and event planners, florists, and other talented creatives who have helped me grow significantly—particularly in the bridal category. While my focus remains strongly rooted in bridal makeup, I’m eager to expand into the fashion and TV/film industries.
I believe my expertise in color theory and my keen eye for what photographs beautifully on camera can help elevate my work in these areas. These opportunities would also allow me to explore more creative outlets, incorporating pops of color and bold, fun makeup looks—an exciting change from traditional bridal styles.
Although I’ve been working independently for a little less than a year, with most of my weekends dedicated to bridal makeup, I’m continuously refining my systems to better connect with clients and streamline the booking process. Currently, I’m using email for those wanting to connect and for bookings, but I’m actively working on creating a more seamless system for my clients and potential collaborators.
For those in the fashion or TV/film industries interested in partnering with me, I’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to reach out via email—I can’t wait to connect!
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Kaylyn Kadah Photography
Savannah Nicole Photography
Kearsten Leder Photography
Emily McPartland Photography
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