Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolyn Walker.
Hi Carolyn, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
If you had told my teenage self that something as simple as doing my friends’ makeup for school dances and prom would eventually become a career spanning more than a decade, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.
My love for makeup artistry began in high school, when friends started noticing my interest in beauty and asking me to do their makeup for special occasions. What began as something fun and creative quickly became my first introduction to earning money through something I genuinely enjoyed. At the time, I wasn’t thinking about entrepreneurship or building a brand. I was simply a young girl discovering something that made her happy.
Not long after, life introduced me to an entirely different kind of responsibility when I became a teenage mother. Suddenly, my dreams were no longer just about me. I had a little boy depending on me, and although I was still figuring out who I was, I knew I wanted to create opportunities for both of us.
My father, who worked as a hairstylist, played a role in introducing me to the professional side of the beauty industry. Occasionally, he would ask me to provide makeup services for his bridal clients. And if I’m being completely transparent, those early experiences were quite humbling!
I was young, incredibly timid, and still learning the fundamentals of my craft. I remember working with clients whose complexions were deeper than the shades I had available in my very limited makeup kit. I simply wasn’t equipped with the knowledge, products, or confidence that I needed at the time. Those moments were uncomfortable, and I was certainly learning as I went, but they taught me lessons that have stayed with me throughout my career.
I began to understand that being a makeup artist required more than having a passion for beauty. It required preparation, education, versatility, and an appreciation for the individuality of every person sitting in my chair.
Those early years weren’t always easy. I was learning how to navigate motherhood, adulthood, and a professional environment while still finding my own voice. Confidence didn’t come naturally to me, and there were moments when I questioned whether I was capable of pursuing something bigger. But with every experience, I learned a little more, improved my technique, and slowly began to believe in myself.
What started with school dances and small bridal appointments eventually grew into opportunities within photography, weddings, television, and professional productions. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible creatives and organizations, including projects associated with NBC and notable public figures. Every opportunity has been a reminder of how far I’ve come from the young girl who once showed up with a makeup kit that wasn’t quite ready for the assignment!
Today, I look at my career with a tremendous amount of gratitude. I’m proud of the artist I’ve become, but I’m equally proud of the woman I’ve grown into along the way. Motherhood, entrepreneurship, and my continued pursuit of higher education have all influenced the way I approach my work and the relationships I build.
I still believe that one of the most beautiful things about this industry is the human connection. Every face comes with a story, and being invited into someone’s special moments is a privilege I never want to take for granted.
Looking back, I don’t wish I had started with more confidence or a perfect makeup kit. Those imperfect beginnings taught me patience, humility, and the importance of continuing to learn.
And when I think about that teenage girl who was just trying to make something of herself and create a better life for her son, I hope she’d be proud of how far we’ve come.
**Because what began as a young girl’s love for makeup became a journey of discovering just how much she was capable of becoming.**
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
A smooth road? Not even close. And I say that with a smile today, because there were seasons of my life when I genuinely didn’t know how I was going to make it through.
For much of my journey, I was navigating the realities of single motherhood while simultaneously trying to discover who I was as a woman, an artist, and an entrepreneur. Financially, things were incredibly difficult. I experienced rejection after rejection, and there were times when my ambition was far greater than the resources I had available to me.
As a developing makeup artist, I faced challenges that required me to think quickly and creatively. I often arrived at appointments without having met the client beforehand, which meant I had only minutes to assess their skin tone, texture, undertones, and individual needs. Some clients were patient and understanding, while others understandably expected me to deliver immediately. I had to learn how to color-correct, work across different complexions, and adapt under pressure, all while figuring out how to afford the products and education necessary to improve my craft.
I remember applying to MAC Cosmetics, hoping for an opportunity to learn and grow within the industry, only to be rejected. Eventually, I was hired at Sephora, and I was absolutely thrilled. I thought this would finally be my opportunity to gain extensive product knowledge, build my professional kit, and develop as an artist.
However, that chapter of my life unfolded very differently than I had imagined.
During my time there, I became pregnant with my second son, and I experienced some deeply hurtful moments that revealed just how vulnerable I was financially and emotionally. I remember asking someone I considered a friend if I could borrow $20 for gas. What I believed was a private moment between friends eventually became workplace gossip.
Another experience has stayed with me to this day. During a routine bag check, a loss prevention employee noticed my collection of pens. To anyone else, they may have seemed insignificant, but to me, those pens represented something much greater. I had purchased them little by little, setting aside what money I could. They were small reminders that even when life was difficult, I could still work toward something I wanted.
The employee looked at them and asked, in front of my coworkers, “Aren’t you on WIC? How can you afford that?”
I remember how deeply that embarrassed me.
What she couldn’t see was that those pens represented my determination. She saw someone receiving assistance. I saw a young mother doing everything she could to survive while holding on to little pieces of herself.
There were even more difficult chapters. I’ve experienced housing instability and eviction, including one particular day shortly after giving birth to my youngest son. My oldest son came home from school and stepped off the bus to find our belongings outside, in full view of his friends.
That is a moment I will never forget.
As a mother, there is a particular kind of heartbreak that comes with watching your child experience the consequences of circumstances you’re desperately trying to change. I wanted so much more for my children, and there were times when I felt as though I was falling short, despite giving everything I had.
But through every rejection, every financial setback, and every moment of uncertainty, I continued moving forward. Sometimes those steps were incredibly small, but they were still steps.
My faith in God has been an important part of that journey. Looking back, I can recognize moments of provision, unexpected opportunities, and strength that I didn’t always understand while I was living through them.
Today, my life looks very different.
I’ve established myself as a sought-after makeup artist, working alongside talented creatives, including my hair artistry business partner. I’m completing my undergraduate degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology while exploring my aspirations of pursuing law. I also work in education as a substitute teacher, a role that has given me another meaningful way to contribute to the lives of others.
And perhaps one of my greatest personal accomplishments is being able to provide opportunities for my children that once felt financially out of reach. My oldest son is pursuing his college education at West Virginia University, and my youngest is enjoying his childhood, including playing youth football.
Those things might seem ordinary to someone else, but to me, they are extraordinary.
Being able to support their interests, invest in their futures, and experience moments of stability that I once prayed for is something I will never take lightly.
I don’t share these experiences for sympathy. I share them because I know there are women who are still in the middle of their own difficult chapters, wondering whether their circumstances will ever change.
I understand that feeling because I’ve lived it.
And while I certainly haven’t figured everything out, I’ve learned that where you begin does not have to determine where you finish.
**There was a time when I was simply praying for enough money to put gas in my car. Today, I’m watching my children pursue opportunities I once worried I would never be able to provide.**
That, to me, is what makes the journey worth every difficult step.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
One of the things I find most beautiful about my career is that it has never been limited to one particular area of makeup artistry. I love the versatility of what I do! Whether I’m preparing a bride for her wedding day, working behind the scenes on a commercial or film production, or getting a public figure camera-ready, each experience allows me to express my creativity in a different way.
Over the years, I’ve been blessed with opportunities that my younger self could have only imagined. I’ve worked with prominent political figures, including former Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su, and briefly on assignments associated with the Trump administration. My work has also taken me onto commercial sets for brands such as The Home Depot and into independent filmmaking. Most recently, I completed work on three independent films, including one where I was called upon to step in for another makeup artist.
I love that this industry continues to surprise me. Every assignment introduces me to new people, different environments, and opportunities to challenge myself creatively. It has also taught me that being a successful makeup artist involves so much more than applying makeup. It requires adaptability, preparation, discretion, professionalism, and the ability to make someone feel comfortable in your presence.
Bridal artistry has become another incredibly rewarding part of my journey. My business partner, who specializes in hairstyling, and I have experienced one of our busiest wedding seasons to date. The number of brides and bridal parties we’ve had the privilege of working with this year has been remarkable, and I am genuinely grateful for every client who has trusted us with such an important occasion.
What makes that growth especially meaningful is knowing how much work went into getting here. We’ve been intentional about building a business that reflects our experience, the quality of our services, and the level of care we provide. Having clients who appreciate our artistry and are willing to invest in our services is something I consider a tremendous accomplishment.
As for what sets me apart, I believe it’s my ability to connect with people while remaining versatile in my craft. I don’t approach every client with the same technique or the same vision. Every face is different, every personality is different, and every occasion deserves thoughtful attention. I want the people who sit in my chair to feel heard, beautiful, and confident, whether they’re preparing for a wedding, a television appearance, or their very first professional photoshoot.
My experiences outside of the beauty industry have also shaped the artist I am today. Being a mother, working in education, and pursuing my degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology have deepened my appreciation for human connection, communication, and the importance of treating people with kindness and respect.
But when I think about what I’m most proud of, it’s not necessarily the recognizable names, the productions, or even the number of weddings we’ve booked.
It’s something much more personal.
It’s the feeling I get when someone asks me, “What do you do for a living?” and I can confidently say, “I’m a professional makeup artist.”
There was a time when I was simply a young mother trying to make something of herself, learning as she went, and wondering whether this passion could ever become a sustainable career. Today, I get to do something I genuinely love, work alongside talented people, and continue building a future through my artistry.
That feeling never gets old.
**I’m proud of the career I’ve built, but I’m even more grateful that I never gave up on the girl who dreamed of building it.**
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @glam_by_carolyn
