Meet Jaclyn of Phoenix/Ahwatukee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaclyn.

Hi Jaclyn, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started out my professional career in public relations, after graduating from Cronkite at ASU. Realizing that wasn’t the field for me, I found myself in outside sales and hit my stride. After a few years working in sales as a service provider to the commercial real estate industry in Phoenix, I was able fulfill a lifelong dream by moving to Southern California (Orange County) with my employer at the time.

As everyone knows, California is very expensive! So, I decided to start a spray tanning business as a side hustle; I had a good business going and a nice little clientele. I realized that I wanted to become a makeup artist after a branding shoot, when the photographer thought I had gotten my makeup done professionally. Everything clicked when I told my husband the story and he said I should start doing makeup – like, why didn’t I think of that?! I ended up completing a course through Glam Sophisticated Makeup Academy in Las Vegas and started working on models for free, to gain experience while working my full-time job.

After having my son, I decided it was time to go all in on my passion. I left my sales job and enrolled in esthetician school, so that I could also learn skincare and open more doors for my makeup business. After obtaining my license in California, my family and I moved back to Arizona to be closer to family. Now, I am working to build up my makeup artistry business here in Phoenix while starting my career in esthetics!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have definitely been ups and downs, and going to night school while also navigating motherhood for the first time was a challenge. I was also a little scared to change career paths entirely, but I am lucky to have such a supportive husband who believes in me and is always cheering me on. Despite all of the challenges and struggles, I never doubted that I made the right decision, because I knew what is good for me will be good for my family as well!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a freelance makeup artist, and I specialize in elevated natural glam. My goal with clients is for them to feel confident and empowered, but still feel like themselves. There is nothing like seeing the look on my client’s face after showing them the mirror, and they are visibly more confident.

I am most proud of the way that I can connect with my clients. A lot of people aren’t used to having someone work on their face, so I always make it a point to help them feel at ease. I want them to know that I hear them and will communicate to come up with a look that they love and are happy with.

As far as what sets me apart from others, I see this as a collaborative event. If my client shows me a photo of a makeup look that is full glam but they say that want natural glam, I am going to educate and explain what goes into achieving a look like that. We can discuss what they like about that specific look, and tailor it to fit them and what they are comfortable with. Getting your makeup done should be relaxing and not stressful, and I do my best to make sure my clients leave my chair feeling better than before they sat down.

How do you define success?
Personally, I see success as living a comfortable life that I can share with the people I love. These days, time to spend with my family and a low-stress lifestyle are what I am after. Professionally, I define success as being able to afford the aforementioned as a result of a career in something I am passionate about.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @beautyxjaclyn_