Today we’d like to introduce you to Ebony Renee.
Hi Ebony, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I became fascinated with makeup when I was in my undergraduate program. I was sitting in my dorm room, and it hit me that I was on my own and it was time for me to establish my own unique individuality. I started watching YouTube, and this YouTuber by the name of MakeupD0ll was the first person that I resonated with. We looked alike, we were dark skinned women who struggled with hyperpigmentation. MakeupD0ll taught me which foundations to use to cover up my blemishes, and how to transition my eyeshadows and I fell in love with the art of doing makeup. I wanted to learn how to intensify my already God-given beauty and make it into my own. I loved how I looked with makeup on, it just made me feel good and it just added extra flavor. Before I started taking clients, I would practice on myself all the time. When I would get my school refund checks, I would go to Sephora and Wal-Mart and buy makeup just to see what worked for me and what didn’t. I got so cold with makeup that I could identify the products without even looking at the packaging. I got a job offer for Sephora when I was in school but I didn’t take it. I didn’t have my own car then. For those that know, when you are a beginner in makeup it is going to be a lot of trial and error, and I want to shout out my friend Brianna, she was the only one who would tell me that my eyebrows were thicker than a snicker. She was truly a real one lol. When I was finally confident in my craft, I started my YouTube channel, Ebony Renee. I wanted to create a channel to show off my skills and create affordable looks for college students on a budget. I told my mom I wanted to be a YouTuber. She saw that I was serious, and she ended up buying me a camera. I bought myself a ring light from eBay and that was the start of my makeup career. I would be up late nights after finishing my homework, planning out videos and content. On breaks from school, I would go home and my cousins and friends would let me practice doing their makeup. I wanted to be able to do makeup on all skin tones. I am forever thankful for my family and friends for trusting me and believing in my brand. Finally, I started charging for my makeup services. I love being able to talk to my clients during their service and seeing their faces afterwards. It brings me so much joy. I would tell my clients that they looked snatched, which is how I came up with the name Snatchedbyebonyrenee. I always knew my purpose was to serve others, and I love making others feel good about themselves. I am everyone’s favorite hype woman. I have created a safe space for my clients, that when they are being serviced they are going to feel comfortable. I like to burn incense and play neo-soul music to set a calming ambiance. When doing makeup I’m in my own creative world and it never feels like work. I love how my clients allow me to have creative control, and we collaborate together. Honestly, I’ve come this far because I have allowed God to lead me. I have dedicated a lot of time to learning new techniques to help grow my brand and perfect my craft. It has been a lot of late nights, and sacrifices. I am a visual person. I have to write everything down; it allows me to see how I want things to be. I’m always open to learning new things. I stay prayed up and I am a firm believer that what is meant for me is for me. My advice to all the women and men out there is, keep going and keep growing because you never know who is watching. There will be disappointment, frustration, and times you want to give up but I promise if you stay on course, it will all work out. I started my makeup journey in 2012 in my college dorm room, shoutout to Marlatt Hall. It’s been 9 years, and in the 9th year I would have never imagined being featured in a magazine, but look at me now. It’s only up for Snatchedbyebonyrenee, and I am ready for everything that I have prayed for.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would be lying if I said that there weren’t thoughts of wanting to quit. My mantra is, “trust the process.” I think social media can play on people’s minds. I used to have to check myself because I would find myself comparing myself to other people’s success. I would be frustrated because my family wasn’t supporting me how I thought they should. I wasn’t getting the clients that I thought I should. I wasn’t booked and busy as I hoped I would be. Here I was praying to God, telling him my life goals and I just felt that it wasn’t going how I hoped. Comparison can be detrimental. I found myself unplugging from social media when I feel it’s getting too heavy. Another big struggle is losing friends along the way. I don’t look at it as a bad thing though, because with elevation comes separation. I had to learn that I can’t take everyone with me to the next level of my journey. Like Erykah Badu said, “I am an artist, and I am sensitive about my shit.” I am passionate when it comes to the things that I want. I had a misconception, that just because people knew me, I thought that meant I would have the support automatically. I learned really quickly, that’s not the case. In every area of my business, I learned to be grateful where I was and embrace the disappointment because it is all a part of the process.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Kansas City, KS freelance makeup artist. I love to create and innovate new ideas that benefit my clients. I specialize in all areas of makeup from natural to full-out glam. Soon I will be starting 1-on-1 application classes. I have taken a strong interest in teaching others. I’m known for keeping the girls snatched. I’m proud of myself for never folding under pressure, having self-discipline, being consistent and dedicated to my craft. Right now, I am in the process of rebranding. But I am still working behind the scenes. I take pride in being able to share my resources with others. It’s enough money for everyone to eat, and I just feel I won’t be blessed being stingy. What sets me apart from everyone is the fact that my passion runs deep. Listen, if I didn’t make money doing makeup, I would still do it, because I love seeing my girls (clients) happy. I am a visionary and so a lot of things that I am currently working on are going to be BIG! I am always thinking of turning something into a business, not only am I my biggest fan. I am the biggest fan of all of my loved ones out here grinding. Most importantly, I am a Sagittarius I am fiery, I have that hustle in me. And once I set my mind to do something, it will get done.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
This may sound typical but I always knew I was going to be a big deal. I loved to entertain. Growing up I wanted to be a singer. I would perform songs in front of my family during the cookouts. My favorite song as a kid was Shirley Murdock’s “Oh what a feeling.” I loved being the center of attention, so it came naturally and my family always hyped me up. My late uncle Okey, told me when I was a child that he saw my name in lights on a billboard and that he saw me successful, and that was confirmation for me.
Pricing:
- Freestyle Friday’s $45
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://snatchedbyebonyrenee.as.me/schedule.php
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/snatchedbyebonyrenee?utm_medium=copy_link
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SnatchedByEbonyRenee/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCj8kxxQM3NUkSD8RIQGj2rg
