Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlita Smith.
Hi Carlita, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
First off, I am a Dallas native. I grew up in the North Park area of Dallas near University Park. I graduated from W. T. White High School. From there, I went on to Ogles School of Hair Design. And there is where my passion for beauty truly heightens. I pretty much self-taught myself in high school but I had to complete Cosmetology School to get my license to become a professional. I went on and had a very long career in the haircutting industry, managing various haircutting chains in the Dallas area. Such as Great clips, Procuts, Sport Clips, & Cool Cuts for Kids in Highland Park.
During that time, I was always perfecting my makeup skills. And I always wanted to create my own line of Cosmetics. So I educated myself on how to make that happen for myself. So in 2013, I created Carlita Cosmetics. And then, I launched my accessories line for women soon after that. And I also have a men’s accessories line coming soon it was delayed due to covid. Mens line was suppose to launch in March 2020; however, covid happened and obviously interrupted the launch. I have been fortunate enough to get my accessories and Cosmetics on quite a few celebrities. Such as Journalist Megyn Kelly, Celebrity MUA Vincenza, Singer Me’Lisa Morgan, Comedian Kym Whitley, Rappers Lord Jamar, Rakim, Charli Baltimore, Singer Lyfe Jennings, B2K Raz B, Singer/Producer Mr. Dalvin from Jodeci, Singer Jhen, Vh1 Reality TV Stars Yandy Smith, British Williams, and Jasmine Bleu from Love & Hip-hop, and The Urban Theater Producer the late great Shelly Garrett. Now I am working on my Skincare Line, which is scheduled to launch late summer on Amazon… I also do my own photography, editing, hair, & makeup in all my professional images. My company is self-funded and self-managed by me. So I’m very hands-on because I have worked extremely hard to get here. Even though I have so much more to do and I am not where I want to be but I’m definitely headed in the right direction I feel.
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?
I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s been a smooth road but it hasn’t been extremely difficult. Has it been challenging at times? Yes, but that comes with the territory. The struggles have been just trying to figure out the next move. Figuring out how to get to the next level.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an Entrepreneur, Hairstylist, Makeup Artist, and Photographer. I am self-taught. I guess I would say I am known for my Cosmetics Line currently. And I am most proud of creating my own line of Cosmetics. I feel that sometimes we dream a lot but never actually follow through. And I am proud of myself for following through. And for not giving up even though I am still working at it extremely hard. I guess what sets me apart from others is that I manage to stay in my own lane inside an industry that is saturated with various Cosmetic Companies.
My goal is to have my own identity and not be a copy of something that’s already been created. I feel like I am doing a decent job at that. Another thing that sets me apart from other Cosmetic Lines is that I literally do it all myself. I create every ad, I do my own hair, makeup, and photography in all my images. And if you think about it that’s not an easy thing to accomplish. But it’s gotten easier due to the fact that I been doing it for a while now. Even though I admire Rihanna’s Fenty Line, Kylie Cosmetics and Jlo Beauty, they all have a team of people around them, unlimited funds, and then you factor in their celebrity status that’s pretty much an automatic win for them. But I really have to work day and night for small accomplishments. I’ve come a long way but I still have a very long way to go. And I am truly thankful to God for seeing me through. Everytime an idea pop in to my head I’m immediately thanking God for it because it’s my faith that keeps me going.
What’s next?
My plans for 2021 is to continue to grow my company by launching my Luxury Skincare Line I have been working hard on. And releasing my Men Accessories Line that was supposed to launch last year but due to covid I had to put it aside for a while. As well as continuing to grow my Luxury Accessory Line for women. I’m super excited about going to Amazon.com. I feel like that will be a bigger platform for me to grow. Amazon will truly be a big change for me. I’m literally working hard to reach my goals and I feel that 2021 will be a good year for me. I feel it in my gut. I really do believe that hard work eventually pays off. My brand new website will launch late Summer July/August 2021.
Contact Info:
- Email: CarlitaLuxury@gmail.com
- Media Package Request: MediaCarlitaLuxury@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/carlita_cosmetics/
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCmGxqIwxsGhv2WbWa2ooTEQ
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@carlita_cosmetics/
