Check Out Matthew Allen’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Allen

Hi Matthew , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
This story begins in 2004 when I graduated from the University of Kansas and left for New York City to attend New York University’s Tisch School of The Arts to get a Master’s Degree in Musical Theater Writing and Dance. Theater and Performing has always been my first love in life, Beauty and Fashion a close second! After two life changing years in Grad School in the best City in the world, I stayed in NYC until 2012 where I was lucky enough to do some amazing shows that took me around the World (International Tour of HAIR the Broadway Musical in 2009) and performing in New York City! In 2012, I hung up my dancing shoes for a bit to pursue my career in beauty and makeup. I was working at Sephora on 5th Ave in NYC for a few years before I got the opportunity to transfer to Los Angeles California where I stayed until 2018 and worked big events like the Oscars, People’s Choice Awards, MTV Music Awards, Emmy’s, Golden Globes, Latin Billboard Music Awards, and many other exciting Red Carpet gigs with Hollywood Stars and Pop Stars. At that time I began my career with Estée Lauder and worked for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics where I ran the free standing Bobbi Brown Studio in Beverly Hills and soon moved back to New York City to join the Bobbi Brown Pro Artistry team where I worked many exciting jobs like New York Fashion Week, Photoshoots, Runway/Editorial shoots, and major retailer events with Nordstrom, Macy’s, Bloomingdales and Bergdorf Goodman. In 2022, I was asked to be the National Artist for Christian Louboutin Beauty where I travelled all over the United States doing major Trend Shows, Fashion Events, Runway events, and Paris Fashion Week! This gig was most definitely the highlight of my career!

I now have moved back to my beloved hometown of Kansas City where I am thrilled to show this beautiful City what my experiences have taught me about Beauty and how to share that gift with others- As a seasoned makeup artist with a global career spanning NYC, LA, Paris, and all of the USA, I am thrilled to bring my expertise back home to Kansas City with the opening of my makeup studio. I’ve chosen to establish this special space here because I love the people and the vibrant, grassroots spirit of this community. This exclusive studio is designed to be more than just a beauty space—it’s a space where women can reconnect with their beauty in a private, luxurious, and supportive environment. With a focus on personalized services, memberships, and professional education, my goal is to help my clients rediscover confidence and enhance their natural beauty through expert techniques, products, and care. It will also double as a Bridal Suite/Photo Studio for large parties and extended events, like Masterclasses and VIP Service Events.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been smooth! However I will say this- I have zero regrets for any and every opportunity, heartache, triumph, and tribulation that has come my way (and there have been MANY)! I think it’s a part of how we grow, how we learn, how we live, and how we love. I have done my best to remain humble and gracious throughout my career and I have learned to listen to my heart and trust my gut. I am so grateful to be where I am and lucky to have the success I have had. The Beauty Industry, very much like Broadway, can be cut throat- You have to really love it to survive in it. That being said, I am lucky enough to realize what it is about this Industry that really makes me happy and really makes me shine. Although I love VERY much the fancy Red Carpet Events, and the thrills of the Runway, I value working with everyday people, who are gracious for the gifts I give them. That fills my cup most- A genuine, sincere connection, where I can use Beauty and makeup as a vehicle to help someone see how beautiful they truly are. Clients often say to me, “How did you do this? You’re a Magician!” and my response usually is, “I guess you don’t see what I see. But I can teach you how to.”

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Makeup Artist. I specialize in Beauty- Glam, Bridal, Red Carpet, Runway, etc.

I am known for creating and offering natural, elegant and radiant Beauty for all occasions.

I am most proud of my ability to instantly connect with someone in a genuine and authentic way. In fact, this was once noted as my “superpower.” I am able to quickly identify the most beautiful things about someone’s face and teach them how to celebrate that in a way that works for them.

I am set apart from the others because of my experience- There is nobody else in Kansas City with my experience and I own that with pride and humility. We all have our own Journey. As part of mine, I want to bring it all back home, where I think it will be cherished and appreciated. The people of Kansas City are proud, supportive, and kind people. I like to think of myself as part of that community.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I have taken major risks! I have had to “start over” many times in this Industry. I have moved multiple times, (to major cities), where I felt alone and terrified. I have had to bend, shape, and redefine who I was, and who I thought I should be, in order to “fit in” with my environment. It’s no surprise that each time, it led me back to one seemingly simple principle- You have to be yourself, no matter what you do. Be authentic, be genuine, be kind, and be confident.

It is a hard lesson to learn every single time, but it makes me stronger, more resilient, and unbelievably self aware. For all of these reasons, I am grateful for each risk, each reward, and each hiccup along the way. Every single one of these opportunities brought me tremendous anxiety, unrelenting fear and uncertainty, but somehow always taught me incredible lessons about myself, my career, my talents, and most importantly, my happiness.

Pricing:

• single application $250
• Bridal $500
• Photoshoot $1000
• Annual Memberships (free, unlimited services + all events) $2000-$4000

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.makeupbymatthew.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/makeupbymatthewmbm
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matthew.allen.1804/
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/8VEEcX6yGlY
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/makeup-by-matthew-kansas-city