We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Miriam Hejazi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Miriam , we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
There are plenty of things I do for self care, including therapy and extra long naps but the most important act of self care I do is speak to myself kindly!
Let me explain; oftentimes as people we speak to ourselves in negative and harsh tones with the idea that it will motivate us to achieve and accomplish our goals. When in reality, science continues to debunk that myth time and time again. Studies prove that when you speak kindly to yourself, it actually increases productivity, reduces the symptoms of depression and other neurodivergence’s and helps with overall life satisfaction.
Research also shows that practicing self-kindness fosters the creation of new neural pathways in the brain, leading to a positive shift in self-perception and thought patterns. Speaking to yourself positively and kindly is more than some new culture fad; it’s using the powers of the neuroplasticity in your brain to create change!
Speaking positively and kindly to myself has had a profound positive impact on my mental health, especially as a woman with ADHD. The world is hard as is, there’s no reason you should make it harder on yourself. You are doing the best that you can and that is more than enough. I remind myself constantly that on the days that I only have 30% and I gave 30%, I actually gave 100%.
This is your first time on Earth, be kind to yourself.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Hi y’all! I’m Miriam with MK MIKYAJ! A traveling hair and makeup artist based in Austin, Texas.
I specialize in creating hair and makeup looks that are natural, clean and vibrant. I offer a fun, communicative beauty experience tailored completely to you, in a clean & inclusive space.
I have been a full-time professional artist for 2 years now, and up until then I did my artistry part time while maintaining a 9-5.
Before jumping into the beauty community completely, I started my journey because of my love for makeup, art and people. And while that is still true, my feelings and passion for my profession have definitely expanded! Now my profession as a hair and makeup artist combines my love for art, and empowering women in a safe and inclusive space.
I mainly work as a bridal hair & makeup artist, and I know it’s totally cliche, but it sets my soul on fire. I love everything about working with my brides; everything from our first phone consultation to the the midnight texts I receive about the new inspiration pictures they want their bridal hair and makeup to look like is so amazing.
Don’t get me wrong, there is so much hard work and dedication that goes into being a hair and makeup artist, but every single time I see my clients react to their final look, it’s always SO worth it and it keeps me going. I love my job and I am so fortunate to say that.
The most important things to me as an artist and for you to know is that:
1. It will be a clean and sanitary experience! Cosmetic hygiene is so important and is vital for your safety.
2. You will always leave my chair feeling happy and confident. If you aren’t happy and confident, then we aren’t done!
3. I’m communicative and involved! Communication is vital for any relationship and the one between a makeup artist and their client is no different.
4. We are going to have a blast!
A little bit about me as a person: I am married cat mom (cats rule), an artistic soul, definitely emotional (so if you hire me and you’re getting married or you have a cute love story or cute animal or baby, I am 100% going to cry). I am an early bird and I talk a lot (so there will never be a dull moment) and I will most likely be carrying my emotional support water bottle with me if we work together.
And to end this, my piece of advice to you is to choose vendors for your event that you connect with! Especially your hair and makeup artist. You will be spending a large chunk of your event day with them. Make it a happy experience for yourself!
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?
Reflecting on my journey as a hair and makeup artist, three crucial elements stand out: education, hygiene, and communication skills. With them all being equally important!
I love education. I am a total nerd but I am an avid advocate for continuous education and learning. Continuously seeking out opportunities to learn and refine my craft has been invaluable. My advice to those starting out is to invest in education—whether through formal training, workshops, or online resources. You have all the knowledge of the world at your fingertips (the internet is pretty cool, huh?) so put it to good use! Embrace every opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills. Make sure you are inclusive in everything that you learn!
Secondly, hygiene is non-negotiable in our line of work. Maintaining strict hygiene practices not only ensures the health and safety of our clients but also upholds professionalism. From regularly sanitizing tools to following proper skincare protocols, attention to hygiene is key. My advice to newcomers is to prioritize hygiene from the outset. Establishing good habits early on will not only protect your clients but also enhance your reputation as a reliable and conscientious artist. This also aligns well with education, as you have the ability to learn every aspect of hygienic practices in the beauty industry with a single internet search. The long-lasting damage you can cause a client by using unhygienic tools and makeup goes beyond immediate concerns, potentially leading to infections, skin irritations, and long-term detrimental issues, jeopardizing both their health and your credibility as a practitioner. Stay safe!
Communication is key for building strong client relationships and perfecting their style and vision. It allows you to effectively understand your client’s needs and preferences and ensures that everyone is on the same page. Focus on listening, asking the right questions for your client, and explaining things clearly. Trust me, effective communication? It’s the game-changer between your clients loving your work or not.
And as always, kindness and empathy are key qualities that make the world a better place. They should be included in everything you do!
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, absolutely! I’m always on the lookout for creative minds to collaborate with, whether you’re a makeup artist, hairstylist, photographer, or any other kind of artist. I’m open to teaming up and bringing our visions to life together. I’m all for creating a community of kind-hearted individuals passionate about their craft. If you’re someone who thrives on creativity and positivity, then you’re exactly the kind of person I’d love to collaborate with.
I’m a firm believer that collaboration breeds innovation, so if you’re bursting with ideas and looking to collaborate with someone who I would consider pretty cool (me), then let’s connect! Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @mkmikyaj or shoot me an email at mkmikyaj@gmail.com.
Image Credits
TS.J Photography @ ts.jphotography Nicole with PhotoHouse Films @photohousefilms By John Allen @byjohnallen Bri with Vember Photo @vemberphoto Madison Dodd @madisondoddphoto Vanessa Smith Photography @vanessasmithphoto Kristi Krouse Photography @kristikrousephotography Emily Thomas Photography @emilythomas.photo Gwyneth Burgos @curlygwyn Katelyn Nassar @kayelyn.nassar
