We’re looking forward to introducing you to Marie Brenda Barthelemy . Check out our conversation below.
Hi Marie Brenda, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Who are you learning from right now?
Right now, I’m learning from life itself. I’ve experienced a lot of betrayal from friends and even family—people I thought would be in my corner. But I realized that wanting more for yourself means doing things you’ve never done to get what you’ve never had. So, I’ve been learning from books, podcasts, and mentors that feed my spirit and push me higher. I had to unfollow and distance myself from people who no longer aligned with the version of me I was becoming.
I’m learning that starting over isn’t a weakness—it’s power. Every time I rebuild, I come back wiser, softer, and stronger. My new circle became the voices of successful leaders I watch on YouTube, the authors who challenge my mindset, and the mentors who remind me that everything I desire is already within me
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Marie Brenda Barthélémy — I’m a lead MUA for tv and film & a celebrity makeup artist, life coach, and founder of Look Art Her Studio and She Who Retreats. I’m also a multidisciplinary creative — I write, I model, I teach, and I create spaces that blend beauty with healing and intention.
I started as a beauty advisor at MAC and Sephora, became a senior artist and brand ambassador for Fenty Beauty, and now I work behind the scenes of television shows, red-carpet events, and magazine covers. My work has been featured on some of the biggest stages in Québec — from Révolution and En direct de l’univers to the gala ADISQ and the Gémeaux — and I’ve had the honor of working with inspiring public figures, from Ciara as a artistic director , Alison Hinds , Jade Cargill , Lisa Simone, the daughter of Nina Simone etc.
But beyond the glitz, my mission has always been about elevation — helping women feel powerful, seen, and aligned with who they’re becoming.
After going through my own seasons of heartbreak, reinvention, and self-discovery, I created Look Art Her Studio as a sanctuary — a place where beauty meets healing, and where transformation begins with self-belief. I also host masterclasses, retreats, and vision-board experiences that blend makeup artistry with intentional living.
Right now, I’m expanding the brand into wellness and lifestyle with She Who Retreats — creating spaces for women to reconnect with their softness, ambition, and divine power. What makes my story unique is that everything I teach, I’ve lived. I’m living proof that you can rebuild yourself, create luxury from resilience, and turn pain into purpose.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose — and that I’m finally releasing — is the version of me that felt the need to shrink. For a long time, I thought being humble meant dimming my own light. I played small to make others comfortable, to fit in, and to protect myself from judgment.
But that season served its purpose. It taught me grace, awareness, and emotional intelligence. Now, I’m stepping into a phase where I no longer apologize for my success or my softness. I’ve had moments of accomplishment that showed me what’s possible — and I know it’s time to live freely, fully, and unapologetically. The era of shrinking is over. I’m no longer asking for permission to be seen
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes — actually, it was this year. I went through one of the deepest betrayals of my life with someone I considered a good friend and business partner. It shook me to my core. I felt defeated, heartbroken, and exhausted — all while still having to show up for my child, answer emails, and handle contracts during the busiest season of my career.
It forced me to confront a kind of grief that isn’t often spoken about — the grief of losing someone who’s still alive, but no longer aligned with you. I realized I didn’t have the support system I thought I did, but that realization also became a blessing. It taught me self-reliance, boundaries, and the importance of building real systems in my business instead of trying to do everything myself.
That experience broke me open in the best way. I took time to heal — even spent a week in Portugal for a writing retreat, surrounded by like-minded women who reminded me of my purpose. Sometimes those moments when you feel like giving up are really just invitations to start again — stronger, wiser, and more aligned.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes — the public version of me is the real me, but it’s only one side of me. What people often see online is the polished, intentional, luxury side — the artist, the coach, the woman who has built something out of resilience and vision. But there’s also the other side of me — the chill, playful, barefoot-in-the-rain version. The woman who laughs loud, dances in the kitchen, and finds peace in holistic rituals and quiet mornings.
Both are me. I’m soft and strong, grounded and glamorous, spiritual and ambitious. I’ve learned that I don’t have to choose between the two — I can be all of it. The version of me you see publicly is aligned, not curated. It’s the reflection of a woman who finally learned to live fully, freely, and unapologetically
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
I invite everyone to do this exercise at least once in their life — to strip away the titles, the roles, the achievements, and ask: who are you without all of it?
When I did that for myself, I realized that at my core, I am a woman of integrity and creation. If I lost everything tomorrow, I would still be an artist. Give me a pen and paper, and I’ll become a writer. Give me makeup and brushes, and I’ll create beauty. Give me children, and I’ll nurture them like a mother.
No matter what I do or what title I hold, the essence remains the same — I am a creative spirit guided by purpose, love, and integrity. That can never be taken away.
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Reymer photographer
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