Daily Inspiration: Meet Kaiulani Chastain

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaiulani Chastain.

Hi Kaiulani, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up a company dancer, I learned how to do my hair and makeup at a very young age. At the age of 9, I was doing my own for recitals, dance competitions, and some of my team members’ hair and makeup. I remember always getting into my mom’s makeup that soon enough, she let me get my little kit for “dance and special occasions.” At 12 years old, I had just as much makeup as my mom. A couple of years later, I got my first iPhone, and that’s when YouTube was filled with beauty gurus. I watched so many tutorials and just learned as much as I could. As I got older, I did my friend’s hair and makeup for prom, homecoming, and dance videos and performances. It wasn’t until March of 2021 that I got into the industry professionally. I reached out to a local bridal team specializing in wedding party hair and makeup. I shadowed a wedding to see how everything worked and if it were something I would be into, and of course, it was! I had one training and was put on a wedding that next day. I had to use the owner’s makeup kit because I had nothing.

During the off-wedding season, I was looking for more ways to make people feel beautiful, so I started educating myself on freelance styling. Of course, I loved it because I love fashion, so in February 2022, I planned a styled shoot with 5 of my beautiful friends to model and my talented friend Anna Jones to do the photography. I invested so much time and money into the project, and the result was more amazing than expected! After posting the pictures, I got many inquiries about styled shoots with Anna and me. It was unexpected, but I thought it would be such a cool way to express our creativity and work with different people! Now I work for 3 different bridal teams around the valley and own my own styled shoot business specializing in dancer and model headshots as well as fashion and editorial photography. In 5 months I have done over 20 styled shoots! In the midst of running my own business and working for others, I am a dance teacher at Elektro Dance Academy as well as an aspiring dancer that travels back and forth to Los Angeles.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a smooth road?
It has not been an easy journey. I have always worked hard because I want to and because I have to. When I was 16, my mom and I left a very toxic household. That was now my second time watching my mom go through a divorce. The second time hurt the worst being older and knowing my mom’s pain and the feeling of never being good enough for a man or father figure. My mom and I were staying at my aunt’s house, an hour away from my studio, and she continued taking me because she knew that was all I wanted to do. With my dance studio knowing my situation, they put me on scholarship and gave me teaching slots which made me want to work 10x harder, but I was also under a lot of pressure. Amid all the craziness, I stopped attending my online classes at 17. I said I’d come back to it and never did. And I honestly don’t regret my decision because it allowed me to have more time to work, spend time with my family, dance in other states, assist different teachers, and compete on the tv show NBC’s World of Dance. If it wasn’t bad enough that I wanted to pursue dance, makeup, and fashion, you could only imagine what my family thought of me not finishing school. My father’s immediate response was to stop all funds going to me for child support even though he hadn’t seen me in years and I was still a minor. I didn’t let anyone or anything upset me too much. I knew I had to work hard, and that’s because I had big goals. I have so much to prove not just to everyone but to myself as well. As I check off each goal I achieve with no help, I think that everything I’ve gone through was only to make me stronger.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in hair styling, makeup application, and styling. When it comes to hair, I only style. I take at least one hair class a week to learn new skills. I specialize in boho, glam, and editorial styles. I love fashion, and I happen to have an eye for it! I know what styles are and aren’t going to look good on a certain body type and colors on different skin types. I style for photo shoots, dance companies, and music videos. Not only do I style, but I also customize and upcycle clothes. Sometimes when I have a certain image in my head and can’t find it in stores, I make it! That goes for set design for some of my styled shoots as well. But on a more casual note, I am a personal stylist who helps you shop, organize, and clean your closet. I started with makeup, and I take a lot of pride in my craft. I specialize in bridal, glam, and editorial makeup looks. I am published, certified, and train monthly. I am always practicing and pushing myself to get better.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
No matter what happens, my mom always shows up, whether it’s something big or small. Growing up, my dad was very selective with what he went to, which dwindled into not coming to anything, but my mom was, and I cannot thank her enough for her endless support.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ani.sbeautyblog

Image Credits
Anna Jones Instagram: annakmac_photo