Today we’d like to introduce you to Candíce Kidder.
Candíce, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started my career in makeup as a makeup artist for Trish Mcevoy. I was one of their best clients. Love makeup and their products and especially their brushes and beauty tools in particular. I learned all my makeup artistry basics with her brand as well as her business acumen. Trish Mcevoy is one of only a few privately held makeup brands in the market to this day.
From there I held various artistry, sales and business executive roles with Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown and Too Faced Cosmetics. Collectively I have 20 + years in the industry. In 2018, I had been with Too Faced for 4yrs, we were bought out buy Estée Lauder in 2016. By this time the corporate culture and the direction of the company began to change. Slowly but surely the Too Faced job I loved began to look and feel differently for me. I had worked very hard to be successful with the brand and I am very grateful for my experience and the relationships I built there but honestly, I was burnt out and disillusioned. I was tired of working hard to make others rich. I made the very difficult decision to leave the brand and intentionally didn’t seek out another brand to transition to. I’m loyal to a fault.
I truly loved my time at Too Faced and there truly wasn’t another brand I felt I could passionately represent. Also during this time I met and married my amazing husband. He supported my decision to leave the makeup industry and venture out on my own. I have always loved makeup and makeup artistry but I never really enjoyed selling makeup. What I was passionate about was helping women feel beautiful by creating a makeup look that was true to her style and who she was as a woman on the inside. That’s how Texas Beauty Group was born. Makeup artistry for real women in their real lives from day to play and everything in between.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
If you expect to start a business and have a smooth road then you probably aren’t cut out for it. Businesses big or small ebb and flow and will face challenges. It’s the nature of the beast. The most obvious challenge is almost always finances. But don’t let that stop you. Where there is a will, there is away. You may have to start small, but struggle and growth are where the magic happens. It’s where we learn and grow and that’s always a good thing. I subleased a studio space for a fraction of the cost of renting or buying a traditional brick and mirror location. I leveraged my cosmetic industry contacts to build my portfolio, create a website and become more social media savvy. And still, to this day, that network is my go-to resource for information and inspiration as is social media and the internet in general. A google search bar is the answer to most any questions you might have and it is free. No consultant fees, legal fees, etc. what is does cost is the investment of your time and effort. But when you invest in yourself you always come out ahead.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Texas Beauty Group – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am the owner of Texas Beauty Group, makeup artistry for women from all walks of life. I have experience with brides, boudoir, maternity, and fashion. I specialize in beauty concierge services and artistry for women of color (Indian/African American/Hispanic) I also teach women how to apply their own makeup as part of my services and with my beauty concierge services I will personally shop with my clients to help them pick our makeup/skincare and fragrance that is curated and handpicked by me just for them.
This is one of the most favorite parts of my role as a makeup artist/industry guru. My wealth of experience with brands, products and ingredients gives my clients the advantage and confidence in knowing they are getting products that are truly right for them and not what a department salesperson is just trying sale them because the brand is promoting it. Women have drawers full of makeup they never use or wear bc the for “sold” and “told” at the makeup counter that something looked good on them or was a miracle product. With me my clients are safe, we work together. I guide them with my experience and knowledge and the trust me when I recommend makeup or product for them.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I have had a slow start. Mostly because life has thrown some big curves at me since venturing out on my own. I lost my dad within 3 mos. of stating my own business. So that has been challenging. The biggest focus and plan currently is consistency in my bookings and revenue. I would like to hit six figures in the next 24 mos. I would also like to carve out more of a niche with my beauty concierge services. I think today’s women can be overwhelmed with choices and social media gurus recommending this or that product but at the end of the day, it may not be the right fit for them.
I can help women avoid these mistakes and in turn, save money on buying products that aren’t right for them or they just don’t need. Time is precious these days….especially for women with families and careers. The thought of helping women find more time in their lives for what really matters makes me proud. I think women are tired of being overwhelmed at the makeup counter and leaving having spent hundreds or even thousands of dollars on makeup only to find when they get home they don’t even know how to use or apply it. I’m the answer to that dilemma. It’s a win-win for both myself and my client.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.texasbeautygroup.com
- Phone: 2144709849
- Email: candicekidder@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @texascandice
- Facebook: Texas Beauty Group
Image Credit:
@mordiphotographie
@hannahwayphoto
@seilastonephotograpy
@notjustheadshots
@kenzieraylee_photography
@fridayfilmsFOTO
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
