Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna Ellis.
Joanna, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m the proud owner of The Highlight Makeup Artistry. I grew up as an Army brat, and have lived all over the country, spending most of my time on Oahu. From the warm sandy beaches of Hawaii, I went straight to the freezing terrain of Blacksburg, Virginia and graduated from Virginia Tech in 2012 with a degree in Human Development and a minor in Psychology. I have always had a strong passion for makeup and turned my love and “side passion” for makeup into a career. I recently graduated esthetics school to broaden my horizons even more into the skincare realm! Skin care is the basis of great makeup and understanding the skin better helps to create the perfect makeup look. I truly love highlighting my clients best features to make them look and feel their best, most beautiful, and most powerful!
Has it been a smooth road?
Getting to where I am today was definitely not easy. After leaving my corporate job where I had been at for almost five years and taking the risk to go full-time freelance, many days were spent crying. I wasn’t used to having so much free time during the week (my weekends are when I am working long days) and I felt like I’d made the wrong decision. I thought that I had to be sitting in a “normal” 9 to 5 job to be successful. Sometimes, I still get down on myself that I’m not doing enough; not working enough, not being active on social media enough, not marketing enough, and everything in between. But I recently came across a quote that said, “Destroy the idea that you have to be constantly working or grinding in order to be successful. Embrace the concept that rest, recovery and reflection are essential parts of progress towards a successful and ultimately happy life.” This could not be more accurate, especially for women. We, as women, are most often caretakers in addition to building our careers and many of us feel that rest and relaxation is a sign of being lazy, but my biggest piece of advice is to always honor your body and your mind. You will get there with time and dedication.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Highlight Makeup Artistry story. Tell us more about it.
I specialize mostly in bridal makeup. I love working with brides and seeing their visions come to life! It is so fun to see so many different styles and traditions on wedding days. My makeup artistry is what I’ve done the longest and have built my brand from. It is my pride and joy, and my true love. I also am an esthetician getting more involved in skin care and skin care maintenance, and I also do eyelash extensions. Eyelash extensions are quite tedious and can be hard on your body, but something about the detail of doing them is very calming to me! I think what sets me apart from other brands and artists is that I am capable of doing multiple things to really bring out the best of you. Whether it be through skincare, makeup, eyelash extensions, or anything in between – I love making people feel powerful and beautiful.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
I definitely think growing up a military brat played a huge role in where I am today. Constantly moving and having to change scenery, friends, and lifestyle was tough. But looking back on it, I am so grateful. I feel it’s made me better able to accommodate to any situation that I’m put in because I’m used to the unknown and learning to “adapt, adjust, and overcome” as my Dad would always say!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thehighlightmakeupartistry.com
- Email: thehighlightmua@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thehighlight
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHighlightMakeupArtistry
Image Credit:
Kir Tuben & Sam Stroud
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