Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophia Alexander.
Hi Sophia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve loved makeup for as long as I can remember. Even as a little girl, I was fascinated by creativity and self expression. I always looked up to creative women, and my older sister was one of my biggest inspirations. Watching her experiment with makeup showed me that it could be so much more than something you put on before leaving the house. It was a form of art and a way to express yourself.
That passion stayed with me throughout my life and led me to attend cosmetology school. I became a licensed cosmetologist at just 17 years old and jumped straight into building my career. In 2023, I founded The Painted Profile with the goal of creating personalized beauty experiences that help people feel confident while allowing me to express my creativity through every service.
Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work with hundreds of clients, serve as a senior artist for Kansas City Fashion Week, work on film productions, and create hair and makeup for weddings across the Midwest. I’ve also worked as a makeup artist for haunted attractions, which has allowed me to explore my love of special effects makeup alongside my bridal and beauty work.
Looking back, it’s incredible to see how a childhood passion has grown into a career I truly love. Every opportunity has helped shape me as both an artist and a business owner, and I’m excited to continue growing, pushing my creativity, and helping people feel like the most confident version of themselves.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think every challenge has helped me grow. Like many small business owners, I’ve experienced the uncertainty that comes with building a career from the ground up. There have been slow seasons, moments of self doubt, and times when I questioned whether I was on the right path.
One of the biggest challenges has been learning to wear so many hats. As a business owner, you’re not just the artist. You’re also the marketer, accountant, customer service representative, and scheduler. Balancing the creative side with the business side has been one of my greatest learning experiences.
I’ve also learned that success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes consistency, resilience, and a willingness to keep showing up even when things don’t go as planned. Every challenge has taught me something valuable, and I’m grateful for each step because it’s shaped both my business and who I am as an artist.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a licensed cosmetologist and the owner of The Painted Profile, where I specialize in bridal hair and makeup while also working in editorial, film, fashion, and special effects makeup. I love that no two days in my career look the same. One weekend I might be helping a bride feel her most beautiful, and the next I could be creating character makeup for a haunted attraction or working behind the scenes on a film set.
I’m known for creating personalized looks that enhance each client’s natural beauty rather than making everyone look the same. I believe makeup should reflect the person wearing it, whether that’s a timeless bridal look, a high fashion editorial design, or a dramatic special effects transformation.
One of the things I’m most proud of is building a career that allows me to explore so many different forms of artistry while staying true to my passion for helping people feel confident. I’m also incredibly proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients. Being trusted with some of the biggest moments in their lives is something I never take for granted.
What sets me apart is my versatility. My experience in bridal beauty, fashion, film, and haunted attractions has taught me to think creatively, adapt quickly, and approach every face as a unique canvas. I strive to create an experience where every client feels heard, comfortable, and confident, because I believe that’s just as important as the finished look.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happiest is creating art and connecting with people in my community. Makeup has introduced me to so many incredible individuals, from brides and fellow artists to photographers, filmmakers, and other local creatives. Every person I meet brings a new story and a new opportunity to create something meaningful together.
I love that my work allows me to make people feel confident while expressing my creativity at the same time. Whether it’s seeing a bride light up when she looks in the mirror, collaborating on a fashion shoot, or bringing a character to life through special effects makeup, those moments remind me why I chose this career. Building genuine connections through my art is what inspires me every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thepaintedprofile.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepaintedprofile/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BWusTBeJj/?mibextid=wwXlfr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepaintedprofile
