The Question I Get Asked Most: How Did You Get Started in Beauty?

If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me, “How did you get started in beauty?” I’d probably be sipping iced coffee in a villa in Italy right now. Okay, maybe not, but I’d definitely have a nice vacation fund going. It’s a question I love answering because the journey has been as colorful and unpredictable, really.

Let’s Start at the Middle (Why Not?)

Most people are surprised to learn that I spent well over a decade in healthcare before making the leap into beauty. Yup, from 2002 to 2018, I worked in oncology, where my days were filled with injections, phlebotomy, inventory, triaging patients, assisting in bone marrow biopsies, and assisting the doctors with any and everything they needed (which was a lot, ok). It was intense, fulfilling, and completely draining. Not to mention the most important part, I missed out on raising my kiddo the way I wanted.

Burnout hit me hard, especially with a young kiddo at home who I felt like I was barely seeing. My creative side was screaming for an outlet. Other than the way I tried while wearing the same scrubs everyday, they were hard to dress up I tell ya. Then one day, my charge nurse (who is my best friend in the whole wide world) casually said, “Heather, you always have your hair and makeup done so beautifully. Why don’t you go to beauty school?”

I thought, Why not? I love school (nerd alert).

So, I took the plunge.

But Wait, Let’s Go Further Back (adhd here)

If I’m being honest, the beauty bug bit me long before my healthcare days. As a kid, my mom was my beauty guru. She was a pro herself and taught me the timeless basics: don’t follow trends, stick to what works for you, and always—always—do your makeup in natural light. Oh and for whatever reason she stressed, NEVER wear blue eyeshadow. I’m thinking the 80’s damaged her in some way, but that has stuck with me forever! Now, she’d sit on our front porch every morning, perfecting her look in the sunlight to make her feel confident to face the day.

To this day, I carry that lesson with me. Sure, I’ve got fancy studio lights, but I always prefer working during daylight hours to capture that perfect, glowing vibe.

As a creative (and slightly awkward) kid, I developed my own unique sense of style. Every day was a new story, and I’d create a “theme” for myself—outfit, hair, and makeup to match. I still do that today! It wasn’t about impressing anyone; it was about crafting something that felt me. Little did I know that intuitive creativity would become the foundation of my career. It wasn’t anything anyone taught me, and I wasn’t chasing trends, reading magazines. It was just me and my imagination.

Beauty School Drop-In

In 2012, I enrolled in beauty school while still working part-time in healthcare. By 2013, I earned my Florida State License, followed by licenses in Alabama and Texas—because why stop at one? Fun fact: Florida and Alabama require makeup artists to be licensed (which I think is smart), but Texas? Not so much. Honestly, that terrifies me—clean freak over here! Ok, back to the story. At first, I thought I’d just work for someone else, but then a nurse I worked with asked me to do her wedding makeup. That’s when everything changed.

That wedding lit a fire in me. I realized I didn’t just enjoy doing makeup—I was obsessed creating looks for others. My dad, a lifelong business owner, and my entrepreneurial siblings inspired me to take the leap. I launched my first business, The Portable Powder Room, focusing on bridal beauty.

But I didn’t quit healthcare cold turkey. Nope, I’m Type A and was terrified of “resume gaps.” I kept working PRN (as-needed) shifts, literally clocking only 8 hours a week, until January 2018 when I finally said, Enough! It’s time to let healthcare go.

A Photographer Changed Everything

That same year, I stumbled into an opportunity that would change my career forever. A photographer spotted me awkwardly standing next to the bar at a networking event—clearly out of my element—and decided to take me under her wing. She invited me to do makeup for her clients, and that’s when I discovered my true love: portrait makeup.

I’m so thankful she saw potential in my awkwardness because that was both the first and last networking event I ever attended. Put me in an event with a job to do, and I’m a social butterfly. Leave me standing in silence? I’m completely lost!

Fast forward to today, and I’m working with multiple photographers in the Austin area, crafting bespoke looks for portraits, branding sessions, and special occasions. Every day feels like a dream because I get to combine my passion for creativity with my love for connection. This isn’t just about making someone look good; it’s about creating art that works in harmony with lighting, props, photography, and the client’s natural beauty.

Why I Love What I Do

So, how did I get started in beauty? It’s been a wild ride—from childhood front-porch lessons with my mom to oncology clinics, beauty school, and photography studios. But every step along the way taught me something.

Now, I’m doing what I love: helping people feel beautiful, confident, and a little bit magical. Glowing portrait session or a special occasion, I’m here to tell your story through beauty.

And let me tell you, I wouldn’t trade this job for anything—not even that villa in Italy.