Conversations with Chlo’e Rickett-Gay

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chlo’e Rickett-Gay. 

Hi Chlo’e, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Well my journey into the beauty industry was honestly just by chance! I never really planned on becoming a makeup artist. I love fashion and design and aspire to be a fashion designer and wardrobe stylist. When I realized makeup and fashion go hand in hand, I became more interested in it in high school. I used to dabble in “eyeshadow and eyebrows” a bit, even did some of my best friends’ prom “makeup”. One could say I considered myself an eyeshadow connoisseur lol. But once I got to college in 2014, it was a whole different ballgame.

I simply studied YouTube video after YouTube video, asked friends around me who were better at it than I was how to do this or that, and then one day someone asked me if I could do their eyeshadow for a party and then in May 2016, I had someone ask if I could do their entire face for a concert and the rest is literal history! I came up with my business name, Chlo’d Up from two different sources, first, a few people on campus would call me “Chlo with the Glo” because of my excessive need to highlight the mess out of my cheekbones lol. The second source was a slang term that was semi popular at the time “glo up or glo’d up” which essentially meant, doing better than I was before now look at me shine.

I always felt more confident and in love with myself when I did my own makeup and once I realized I could share that feeling with others, I just knew I had to keep pushing forward! I thought of Chlo’d Up Makeup Artistry, ran with it, and it stuck!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Not at all. Nothing that is truly rewarding is ever easy to obtain! Because I started makeup in college it was hard to transition from “Chlo’e the makeup artist on campus” to just, Chlo’e , the makeup artist.

Finding clientele outside of the UMKC campus was not an easy task, especially since I’m not originally from KC. I am an STL native-born and raised so trying to venture out and network within KC was a little nerve-racking at times.

One thing I love about makeup is that it’s ALWAYS changing. There’s always something new to learn whether it’s a technique, application, product, beauty hack, or trend. Makeup artistry definitely keeps me busy and I love feeling the satisfaction of learning something new to improve my skill set!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a makeup enthusiast/artist based in Kansas City MO. I specialize in everyday, photoshoot, and special occasion makeup. My signature look is my Chlo Glow service which includes bright colors, glitter, and creative cut creases to fulfill my clients desired makeup style.

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come with my soft glam applications. I feel that I am now equally yoked in both glamorous and subtle makeup applications.

I think what sets me apart from other artists is that I don’t feel like I am confined only to one style of makeup artistry. I have a diverse clientele base that allows me to push my own limits based on their needs or wants. Someone might want glitter today and another might want a soft and subtle smoky eye tomorrow. It keeps me on my toes but also keeps me balanced!

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think the biggest risk I take right now is working out of my own home. I specifically moved into a two-bedroom apartment just so I could create my own beauty studio for myself and my clients. Coming straight out of college I couldn’t afford booth rent in beauty shops so I’ve always created a separate space in my home specifically for my clients.

If I didn’t take the risk of working out of my home, I don’t think I would have grown as much as I have since graduating from college. My business continues to grow because of my clients constantly spreading the good news of my services.

I love word of mouth business because that means that you were referred to me by one of my clients and will respect me and my home. Especially now with Covid, we all have to be careful so I make sure to take extra precautions and wear my mask during my appointments and thoroughly disinfect my workstation and clients’ chair.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: ChlodUP.as.me
• Instagram: Instagram.com/chlodup_mua
• Facebook: Facebook.com/Chlodupmakeupartistry

Image Credits:
Danny Bourne