Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariana Onyemata.
Ariana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Okay, so I go by Ari, I’ve always been a very determined, self-driven, intelligent, confident & straightforward individual. Throughout my life I was grateful to have parents that wanted to see me do better in general. On my artistry journey, I feel like it’s intertwined with how I view & handle things in real life. So, I started doing anything involving makeup my junior senior year of high school. I was on the dance team so I was required to wear some type of makeup. As I progressed to college, I started to do makeup on myself more, for parties/on friends or just because! That’s something people always noticed about me. It actually wasn’t until after I left college that I started working at Ulta Beauty & that pretty much sealed the deal when it came to makeup. My manager there taught me how to properly color match, what’s new, what’s best for the skin, etc. In addition to this, my homegirl “Q” would always be like “you should do makeup” & after some time thinking about it and being completely blind to how to run a legit business. I thought why not! I was sleep! In November, 2018, I started providing services to people via social media. I got my first ever booking 11/17, I was excited to be honest! My cousin referred my services to them. It wasn’t until April 2019 I marked myself as “Aribeatsface” officially. So, now I’ve started my business & I’m not getting instant bookings like how I envisioned. To be completely honest, this definitely discouraged me because, starting out as a NEWBIE to this, no one tells you that you don’t get fully booked right off top! In the first year of my business, I wasn’t as active on social media or in general, I just knew I wanted to do makeup. So, as time progressed, and I learned more about not only how to run a business/perfect my craft, but to TRUST THE PROCESS. As I’m learning all these new things and getting better overall, the pandemic hit. That was another discouragement that I overcame by being more active on Instagram. I’m so glad that I kept going and God saw me through because, mentally it can make you feel not your craft isn’t good enough & being an artist it’s hard! But, being the type of person I am, I had to push through all negativity from myself or anyone else because I knew my POTENTIAL. In February/March 2021, I noticed people were starting to book me more. I got my first group booking in May and that was MAJOR for me/my brand. It isn’t as consistent as I want it to be but, I know some of the best MUAs out there didn’t start off getting fully booked, so I definitely believe in myself/work. I know one day, it will be an overflow of bookings. Through this entire time I’ve just learned to trust the process on ALL THINGS! To be honest, starting my MUA journey has helped me to realize things about life. Everything doesn’t always start off all shiny and pretty like they show, it takes TIME for things to take form & be great. I’m just proud of myself of how far I’ve come overall and I know next year and going forward that things will only SKYROCKET from here.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been easy as all. Some struggles I deal with are from within myself, but that’s just initially. Once I’m over that, I’m good to go.
Aside from anything personal, some struggles I’ve been through is lack of support from family/friends in general. You would think when you started something that has potential to be great that your people would embrace it, but no. You literally cannot expect anything (support wise) from close ones because your TRUE support definitely comes from strangers. So, don’t let that discourage you when your friend/family don’t support how you feel they should.
Another struggle I’ve had is more within my craft. I struggled w/ getting seamless blends (face & eyes) & product amounts. I literally researched/went through trial and error to better myself. I’m glad my hard work has finally paid off & I’m only getting better.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Freelance Self-Taught MUA/Artist. I specialize in Full Coverage, but not heavy makeup application. Meaning, I use pigmented product, but not a lot to weigh down your face, “BEAT”! I specialize in all soft, natural, & glam beats. But, lately I’ve been loving soft Beats, they capture the natural beauty of the face without doing too much. However, I will always love a Glam Beatdown.
Something I’m MOST proud of is that I have the ability to transform someone and help uplift their spirits/confidence. In addition to that, all the time I’ve put in to get where I’m at. I look at myself as a “perfectionist” when it comes to anything, so when it comes to my craft, I always take my time & trust the process. I’m proud of the fact that I kept going even though I doubted myself initially.
Honestly, what sets me apart from other artists, is me being ARI. I’m a very detail-oriented, self-driven, artistic/skilled, bold, patient person. So when it comes to my craft, I must translate these characteristics about myself to my craft. If I have to take a lil’ extra time to make sure your foundation matches, or to put lashes on the right way or even blending out concealer a lil’ more, I will do that! Everything must be pretty close to perfect for me to feel like I’ve given my all to make my clients happy! (Rather makeup or hair) To me, client satisfaction is very important, so I strive to please.
Pricing:
- Email me for GROUP/BRIDAL RATES
- $55 – $75
Contact Info:
- Email: Aribeatsfaces@gmail.com
- Website: Aribeatsface.as.me/
- Instagram: Instagram.com/Aribeatsface
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ariana.onyemata.1
- Twitter: www.Twitter.com/@Ariana23Ariana
- YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCRUWu4L0Fydwpb0D0mpYVKQ
- Other: StyleSeat.com/aribeatsfaces
Image Credits
These are my clients, they are posted on my IG💎
