Today we’d like to introduce you to Melody Griffin.
Hi Melody, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been obsessed with all things beauty. I often got in trouble for sneaking and wearing makeup before I was allowed and I was the friend who was always doing someone’s hair for fun. When I was in college Instagram had just become a thing. I saw an ad for the company Younique, who was viral at the time for their 3D fiber mascara, they were looking for people to sell the product. When I saw all the “free” makeup you got for signing up, I was in. Over time I realized that I enjoyed playing with and posting makeup looks way more than actually selling it. During my off time from school, I would do makeup looks on myself and post them to Instagram. After I graduated college, I began teaching but wasn’t fully fulfilled with my job. A friend who was getting married reached out to me about doing her wedding makeup and I agreed! I took a weekend class at CMC Makeup School to learn the basics and get my kit started. After doing her wedding makeup and loving the whole experience, I knew this was something I wanted to keep doing. That was six years ago now! Since then, I’ve done makeup for multiple weddings, baby showers, photo sessions, and special events. I officially added hairstyling to my list of services last year and have found a new passion in that as well.
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! I was very young when I first started this journey and had to learn a lot on my own. Throughout the way, I have been blessed to work with some amazing artists who I’ve been able to learn from. Even then, a lot of this business is practice, trial, error, and improvement. Becoming super honest with myself while still giving myself grace has been a big part of growing. Investing in myself and my business has been key. Incorporating rest into my schedule and not burning out has also become super important. About two years in, I thought I was ready to be an artist full-time and resigned from my job in education. That was a huge wake-up call for me because I was nowhere near ready. The idea sounded great, but I wasn’t ready for the work and consistency needed from me in order to be successful. God had other plans in mind and I ended up finding out I was pregnant exactly one month after resigning. I had to navigate being pregnant with no insurance while working retail and freelancing. After a few months of that, I ended up right back in education- but I am thankful for that time period. Now that I am preparing again to transition into full-time artistry, I have a much better idea of what to do and what not to do.
It has been a tough journey. There were times I had to step back and find myself again as an artist. Times I needed to get real with myself and analyze where I could improve and then plan how I was going to do it. There were even times I thought, “Maybe this is just a hobby for me, maybe I’m not cut out for this business at all.” But for every “down” there has been the most wonderful “ups”. I’ve realized along this journey that I enjoy bringing a different side out of my clients and helping them find confidence through makeup and hair. I am all for loving your natural self, but there is just something about getting all done up that refreshes people! I love being the person to help my clients out in that area and give them a new glow!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do airbrush makeup and hairstyling for a variety of events. I specialize in bridal makeup and hairstyling and really pride myself on going the extra mile to make my bride’s big day as enjoyable as possible. I am becoming known for how long the makeup and hairstyling I do stays in place! Brides love to dance and cry and do all the things on their wedding day, and you need hair and makeup that is not going to budge while also looking great in pictures. I think what sets me apart from others is my ability to listen to my clients and make sure their needs and wants are heard throughout our process together. While I love having creative freedom as an artist, I think making sure your clients are happy is very important.
Contact Info:
- Email: slayedxmel@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.slayedxmel.com/
- Instagram: instagram.com/slayedxmel
- Facebook: facebook.com/slayedxmel
Image Credits
Joanna Moore
