Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Kayode.
Dana, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Makeup has always been something I enjoyed doing for fun. I am self-taught, so how I learned was through YouTube videos, Instagram/Snapchat tutorials, and for sure experience (i.e. trial-and-error). I was not always good at it, even now I am not perfect, but I can proudly say I see noticeable improvement in my work. I always encouraged and pushed myself, and in the end of 2017, I decided to become more serious in my work and make “practicing my craft” a thing. Honestly speaking, although I do not go out with makeup daily, I find joy in creating looks with makeup artistry. Makeup has definitely been one form of expression for me.
Has it been a smooth road?
No journey in life is completely smooth/perfect or it wouldn’t be described as a journey. The journey WAS and STILL IS a process.
Let me tell you now, you must have PATIENCE. That is key in it all! You must be willing to fall multiple times and get up each time. I say this in the sense of you could be at any level in makeup artistry, but your main issue could be consistency and so forth. Whatever your issue may be, you must be willing to attack it full force and have the mentality of working on it. Whether working on your issues means creating a schedule, do what you have to do. It is for sure easier said than done; I would be lying if I said it was easy. Especially, if you have a life apart from this, it is not easy, but DO NOT GIVE UP!
Also, DO NOT ENVY or COMPARE yourself or your work with others. BE WHO YOU ARE! There’s no carbon copy of people, so don’t expect to compare yourself or your work to someone else’s. I don’t care if it’s a recreation or inspiration from another look, you used a different canvas. We are all at different levels and you will never be satisfied if you compare what’s yours to what’s someone else’s. No one can be like you; you are your own you. Compare yourself to yourself and strive to be a better you every day.
If this was truly your calling, whether you have started or are re-starting, you will always find joy in doing it. You will be self-motivated and wouldn’t need acceptance or approval from other people.
Don’t push back your works, keep at it. Even if it doesn’t look like the “best” look, post it. We all start somewhere. Some of my most popular looks, were looks I didn’t even feel are my best. Like I said in the beginning, it’s just a process and we are all learning from it.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Glow by Dana Kay story. Tell us more about the business.
I am actually a full-time student at the University of Texas at Dallas. I do makeup as a hobby and a part-time. Makeup is one of my passions. I am proud of how far I’ve come; I learn something new every day. I am different from others because I am a firm believer in loving one’s self without makeup. Most days I don’t go out with makeup, and every other evening I create looks in my free time. Me creating looks means painting my face, taking pictures, and removing it. I have been into skincare lately, and I rather focus on my skin without makeup more than my skin with it. Whether you have acne, dark spots, scars, eczema, etc., love your skin without makeup. Makeup should be used to enhance the appearance of what you already have. God created us all unique and beautiful. Love who you are. Be true to yourself. Be confident and humble.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
My Mom! My Iya Mi [which means Mom in our native language, Yoruba] is bold, independent, hard-working, and definitely a leader. She is also a prayer warrior, Mother to many, and is my backbone. She motivates me and encourages me, and not because she’s my Mom and loves me unconditionally, but because she sees potential in me. She is one of the reasons why I do what I do. Even when I want to give up or I am down, she rejuvenates me and pushes me to be better than ever. I cannot compare her to other women because I would be undermining who she is. God has truly blessed me with her as not only a Mom, friend, and role model; no other woman can suffice. This one is for you Mom: I love you Iya MI, forever and always!
Pricing:
- $5+ Lashes
- $10 Eyebrows
- $10+ Eyeshadow
- $30+ Base (Foundation, Highlight, Contour, etc.)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://danakayx.wordpress.com/
- Phone: (214) 929-4584
- Email: danakay.inquiry@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danakayxglow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danakayxglow/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/danakayx
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/danakayx
Image Credit:
Main photo: Icon View https://www.instagram.com/icon_views
Dana Kayode
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