Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Raelynne Rose. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Raelynne, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My love for hair and makeup started very young. My mom used to buy makeup often but would hardly wear it so I would always sneak into her makeup and play with it as a kid. As I grew, she knew she really couldn’t keep me away from it so she really helped me lean into this hobby of mine. By the time I graduated high school, I was already doing makeup for my friends, so when my mom got sick when I was 18, she really encouraged me to pursue it as a profession. Little to my knowledge at the time, she researched different cosmetology schools and took me to enroll in Paul Mitchell the School about a year before she passed away. I was so young and grateful for the opportunity but losing her really affected me in ways I didn’t quite understand at the time. I thought I wanted to walk away from it all together, but I found myself continuing to come back to hair and makeup. I decided to get serious about it again and went back to school to learn different styles and how to build a successful business around it. Depression really prolonged the process to get my business off the ground but every time I was doing makeup, whether for myself, or clients, I felt like I was honoring my mom in a sense. I felt like she was continuing to push me in this direction. So this may seem silly, but whenever I feel down or I feel like im in a tough, transitional period in my life, I get up, and I get myself ready. It makes me feel good and feel closer to her. Everything I do, every path I walk, I have always wanted to honor her memory and make her proud. 14 years after she passed and looking at all that I’ve built and the relationships I’ve made while having this business, I’ve never underestimated her power to move me.
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 am a hair and makeup artist from Southern California that specializes in weddings and special occasions, though I have done film and fashion as well. I have been in the industry for almost 16 years and have built my business solely based on referrals so I am grateful to my clients and friends who continue to say my name whenever someone is looking to hire an HMUA. I am proud to say that even after all these years, I am still very passionate about the work I do, but what I learned to love most about it is the community I have built. I admit that I still run this business part-time so I lean on my friends in the industry who can take on clientele when I am unable to, or refer clients to makeup artists that may fit their style better. I have been hired to do wedding parties of 25 people and it’s those friends that have come forward to assist me. It’s times like those that get me excited for a 4 am call time still.
The rest of 2024, I plan on continuing to take on clientele for various occasions, but I do plan on offering more classes for clients next year. I feel that people need better access to makeup classes that just teach them how to do their own makeup for their lifestyle. The internet is such a great place to gain that knowledge but as for in-person classes, not everyone is looking to get certified or become a makeup artist. Some people just want to learn how to use the products they find themselves buying. It’s something my clients have all asked for and I’m excited to get that started.
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?
Looking back at my journey, I would say the three qualities that were most impactful were my ability to build relationships, my curiosity, and empathy. I learned very early on working in the beauty industry was that clients and other artists alike were all looking for someone kind. Whether you are in film/tv or working weddings, or the beauty counter, everyone had come in contact with either client or another artist that was unkind or not trustworthy. Since I am in the wedding business, I know that every gig, I could be walking into a very stressful environment. One of my main goals is to ease the stress of the people who sit in my chair, but also make it a fun environment. I try to connect via social media or by phone with any other artists working so I can refer people to them if I can’t take a job, and I always try to keep in contact with my brides. I have built my clientele this way and never really had to pay for marketing because of it. I also have built a small team of people where we constantly refer one another to ensure our clients are always taken care of.
Curiosity has made a big impact on my business because I have always been a student of the craft. I always want to learn more and ask more questions. For clients, my consultations aren’t just looking at one inspiration photo and recreating, it is learning what draws them to multiple photos so we can curate a look just for them. I ask questions about their life and their lifestyle because I really believe feeling beautiful comes from feeling comfortable in their skin and what may be “natural” to me, may be a heavy glam to them. When I’m surrounded by other creatives and artists, I love to learn their journey and their style preference. I love watching people do hair and makeup online or even when on the job. It helps me learn tips to take into my own practice as well.
Last but not least, empathy. I have been working with all types of people who come from many different backgrounds and live such different lives. Sometimes, people just want someone to listen to them and understand them. Empathy connects us all and when I feel connected to those I work with, it never feels like work.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
One of my favorite things about my business is the ability to work with other artists and teach newer artists that are looking to build their business. I would love to collaborate with other passionate hair and/or makeup artists to build a bigger team. I love to act as a second Hair/makeup artist to help them on gigs. I also like to meet other artists that I can also hire when I need help myself on bigger gigs as well.
However, I am especially passionate about teaching newer artists that are starting their business and looking to learn how to write contracts and build service timelines to start taking their own wedding parties. I just like to collaborate in general because it’s really inspiring to be around other artists and creatives.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Villa Visuals
D. Chanel
Janice C. Photo
Maelani Janel Photo
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