Today we’d like to introduce you to Oriana Smith.
Hi Oriana, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
In 2014, I was attending a community college in MS. At the time it was a tv show that aired every Monday night around 7 ish, it was Love & Hip Hop. After talking to a couple of my classmates I started watching the show in the middle of the season. I fell in love with Evelyn Lozada and a few of the actresses. I then learned Evelyn created a makeup line that I absolutely loved, this led to me buying a palette. I started playing in makeup every day after the palette arrived. Every Monday I would sit in the kitchen and pause the tv just to capture the makeup looks for that day. I would go into the bathroom and mimic every detail possible to recreate the look. I tried to watch YouTube to show me how to do specific looks I desired and that was an epic fail. I would purchase everything that artist had, and my looks didn’t come out looking like theirs, so I continued to practice on my own. In 2015, I had a church member ask me to be her makeup artist for her wedding. I was so terrified; I was only doing makeup on myself and no one else. I was so nervous I went to the local Sephora and bought more makeup as I didn’t think I had enough. I completed the bridal makeup, and she was in love. I remember being so proud of myself I gifted her with the NARS concealer and foundation I had just bought. A couple weeks later I had two more church members ask me can I do their makeup for prom. Again, I was super nervous because they were a bit younger and into the latest fashion, etc. They asked for glitter, which I was not familiar with. I have never used glitter before, so my nerves were at an all-time high. I was so scared of messing up an important day for them, well after completing the looks I received pictures and compliments all night on how they loved their makeup. After doing makeup for prom, I started taking other bookings from other people and my clientele grew. In 2018 I got nominated to be in a makeup contest. Unfortunately, I didn’t win but I had fun while participating and I didn’t let that stop me. I used that battle as an opportunity to get my name out there and it worked. 2019, I started traveling back and forth to Dallas. I connected with an artist at North Park Mall that works at M.A.C. She started to mentor me and started giving me tips on how to create certain looks. She was very helpful, I went back to MS and created new looks on my clients that they loved. Traveling back and forth to Dallas I shopped for makeup, and I would do family members’ makeup and friends of those family members. In 2021 I decided to invest in myself and acquired several new skills. These new skills helped bolster my business and create new avenues for advancement. Makeup has become my passion. I’m always looking to improve and expand my horizons.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not always been smooth; I have had challenges that I didn’t think I could conquer. I worked at my craft and took classes as I needed them. I would reach out to my mentor for advice, even when I thought I knew what was best. I am always open to receive advice from someone who has traveled my journey. The most I struggled with is booking clients when others charge less than me. In 2016, a lot of people started doing makeup in the area and charging less than I charged. I also had challenges from unsavory competitors. I had people who would reach out and inquire about my services, they wouldn’t book because “your prices are too high.” At that time my pricing ranged anywhere from $40-$55, most of my clientele were college students. My older clientele understood my quality of makeup and didn’t mind paying my prices.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Makeup Artist/Lash Technician. I specialize in quality work. I am known for taking care of skin and healthy lashes. I am most proud that my clients believe in me and when I advise them, they follow my instructions. I have made positive changes in the lives of many women with suggestions about their skin, changing their regimens, and their diets. With lashes, I’ve had some women whose lashes were completely damaged from smoking or just pulling their natural lashes out. I offer advice and they change their habits, which leads them in a positive direction towards having healthy lashes. What sets me apart from other MUA artist and Lash technicians is that I emphasize health of skin and lashes.
What do you think about happiness?
I am most happy when my clients are pleased with my services. I don’t want to change their look but only enhance their natural beauty. I love it when a client gets out of my chair “feeling themselves” with a happy dance or tears. It does my heart some good! It makes me happy because some women struggle with confidence. I used to be that girl. Some days it was hard to like myself because I just didn’t feel or look my best. So, when I can make another woman happy with herself, I have done an outstanding job. I always aspire to lift another woman up to love herself just as she was created.
Pricing:
- Soft glam $85
- Full Glam $100
- Classic Eyelash Extensions $100
- Hybrid Eyelash Extensions $130
- Volume Eyelash Extensions $150
Contact Info:
- Website: Beoriginalmakeup.booksy.com
- Instagram: Beoriginalmakeup
- Facebook: Be Original Makeup, LLC
Image Credits
Jamario Jones
