We had such an amazing time with Michael DeVellis in New Orleans. My Ten Words that describes him are: Hilarious, Gorgeous, Inspirational, Motivating, Smart, Blunt, Hungry, Caring, Thoughtful, and Memorable. He’s such a cutie pie, not to mention that he picked up on the NOLA lingo really quick! Yes he did ask me “how ya mama nem?” lol ! But overall, he inspired everyone in the LAB and we couldn’t have asked for anything better! I can go on and on about this, so I’ll stop here! lol… Thanks to all of the makeup artists that attended the event and a special thanks to those that drove so far to be here! Can’t wait until the next time!!! 

Smooches

When you love what you do and you get to meet amazing people while doing it…somehow it makes things seem too easy! But that’s what happens when you follow your life’s purpose.  It’s when you work smarter and not harder! Being smart about it includes loving the job and the people that it brings into your journey. So we had the opportunity to experience just that at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. We met some of the most wonderful people that I’ve ever met. The kind that makes you believe that you’ve fulfilled your purpose!  Boy…what a feeling..and it makes you continue to give and service others with your talent!

For starters, the beautiful girls in our workshop were so inspiring to us. Just looking at them looking at us almost felt like a deja vu moment because we were in those seats many times. It was good to give them the knowledge that we have about starting our business, sharing our career journey, and sharing our makeup skill. The best part was explaining how we really got to this wonderful place…the place where you can wake up every morning to do what you love, service others, and actually make money doing it! You know sitting in a room filled with laughter strengthens the soul and we all walked out feeling very strong. So we were proud to be a part of that.

 Second, we had two of the most phenominal hostesses that you could image,  Holly & Jada! I’ve always known that us southerners had the best hospitality..but these two ladies were the definition of that! Not only did they physically show us a good time and made sure that we were taken care of, they also were committed to making us feel at home..and we did. They reinforced that they admired what we do and for us that was another stamp of approval of “you’re fulfilling your life’s purpose.” So thank you for that! We admire what you guys do and the fact that you’ve dedicated your energy to making a difference in your community is the greatest gift! You guys inspire us because of that!  We also have to give thanks to Tracey “our assistant”  for all of her hard work. lol..Without knowing her, this experience probably wouldn’t have happened…it’s good to know people huh?

Last, I think this workshop was just as important to us as it was for our beautiful group of talented women!  Even though we talked about all of the motivating stuff, at the end of the day…we were all just some girls loving and playing in makeup!

Smooches

Like most New Orleaneans, I feel so proud! Not only of what the Saints have accomplished, but also how it has effected the energy of our city! Well, I guess it takes a Saint to bring us closer together! We have overcome so much in the last 4 years and this is something that just makes me smile.  I smile for 3 reasons:

1. Because this is my home and I feel like I am a part of this win…as if I was Drew myself . We were all connected to this win, which made us connected to each other.

2. The world saw New Orleans and all of its proud citizens on national television filled with joy, laughter, pride and a contagious amount of energy…which was so much different than the last national picture that was portrayed! We just proved how strong we are and boy…what a comeback!

3. We’re undefeated in every way imaginable! We’re no longer the under dogs and the country better be prepared for what New Orleans will bring to the table this year!

Signing out….WHO DAT!

Kisha

Smooches,

Kisha & Ashley

“How Did I Get Here”

Its one thing to say that hard work and perseverance got me to this place - wherever this “place” truly is, which is something I am still sorting out. But it is an entirely different thing to look at every aspect and angle of your life and say to yourself - this is what i have been waiting for, this is the place I have always wanted to be, this is the place I have always needed to get to, and to acknowledge that hard work was only a stepping stone to this place.

I had to know what i wanted. I had to know what i needed. I had to work hard to get to this place - yes - but more than that I had to put myself out there, ask for what i needed, insist on my own success and somehow find a way to be generous, open to learning and maintain my integrity along the way. Sometimes it was, or rather is, hard. Most often, the time and effort and cost of what makes me feel that my business and life are a success, would not seem worthwhile to a person who looks only at numbers, profits and credit scores to gauge success.

I will be hopeful in thinking that somewhere there is a makeup artist who has been given the faith in himself and has felt empowerment in the idea that he can be whatever and whoever he wants to be by something he experienced through one of my projects. I will be excited by the idea that a small business somewhere will start up today and begin the same path as i did nearly five years ago, and I will be hopeful that they are prepared for the turbulent road they are about to journey down, and they have a clear understanding of what success is for them.

When I read this article, I was a Retail Manager at MAC Cosmetics. I knew it was meant for me to read  and I knew Michael was talking directly to me. I was then still struggling with “what’s next for me?” I knew what I wanted, I knew how to work hard, I knew how to dream, I knew how to do makeup, I knew I was smart, I knew I was creative, but there was something holding me back from putting it all together! After realizing that Michael left MAC after 10 years and managed to create something like The Powder Group…I knew it was my turn and he helped me realize that! At that moment, I started planning my exit strategy from MAC and 6 months later, I resigned after 10 years too and The Makeup Lab launched in March! I had been dreaming about and planning (and I do mean that literally)  the lab since I picked up my first makeup brush! So I can also say that I felt like I’ve been planning for this moment my whole life. I have followed Michael and The Powder Group since it first launched and I’ve always been inspired by his story. However, reading his blog hit home for me that night!

I finally met Michael 2 weeks ago at one of his workshops in NYC, Business Evolution. It was the most inspirational and amazing experiences that I’ve had thus far! It was an intimate setting of 12 makeup artists and Michael  for 2 days discussing and learning about the business side of the makeup industry. I walked away with a wealth of information, knowledge, and motivation from  Michael and all of the talented makeup artists in my group! I left NYC feeling  humbled, proud, inspired and thankful for having met Michael and the other makeup artists and realizing that I’m on the right path for sure! So I said all of that just to say….watch out here we come!!!! …..just kidding!  I just  want to let  Michael know that I was the makeup artist that he was referring to in that post…so thank you for inspiring me and you’re doing exactly what you’re suppose to!

Smooches

Kisha

I know its been a while since we’ve last logged in, but we’ve been super busy doing lots of fun stuff! October and the first 2 weeks of November were filled with a lot of activity and exciting projects. Let’s see…here’s a quick summary of what we we’ve been working on: Ashley worked it out as the Key Makeup Artist at the House of Shock, we did lots of fun makeup for Halloween at the studio, I did makeup for the annual Coyote Ugly calendar (for the second year in a row), we sponsored and provided makeup for Robin Thicke’s listening party, sponsored Fashion Rocks fashion show by creating a look and providing makeup artistry, and of course we had lots of photoshoots, weddings and seeing clients at the studio.  We’d love to give a special thanks to our team of makeup artists, Nehaya and Onya, for working with us on Fashion Rocks! We had a blast! !!!!

Smooches,

Kisha

Check out this article that was written about me on examiner.com. Krystal Burrell is also a makeup artist in New Orleans and she writes in the beauty column for the examiner.com New Orleans. She features different artists and beauty professionals in the city each week. She also reports other goodies about the beauty industry. She asked if I would mind if she features me and of course I was honored…So check me out in Krystal’s words.

As a New Orleans native, Kisha Williams has done so much for the makeup world of local New Orleans.  Discovering her passion for makeup more than 10 years ago, Kisha has touched so many hearts, and faces, with her warming personality and desire to touch the world one brush at a time.  Even though she did study marketing at the University of New Orleans, Kisha never lost her passion for makeup artistry.  Like most artists, Kisha took a chance and decided to focus on her passion.  Working for MAC for 10 years, Kisha moved up quickly due to her work ethic and love for beauty.  Starting off as a part-time employee of MAC and finishing as a Retail Manager who has taught other employees the trends and tips of makeup, as well as traveling between New Orleans and Houston teaching, managing and motivating.  After working for MAC, Kisha decided to do what her heart felt was right, and necessary, and opened her own makeup studio.  Kisha specializes in many aspects of makeup artistry including commercial, runway, bridal, beauty and fashion/editorial.  Her skill and determination has allowed her to work with many different celebrities including but not limited to Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, and PCD.  Continuing to grow very strong, Kisha’s career is far from over.  She will continue to touch many faces with her skills and definitely deserves to be in the spotlight of makeup artistry in New Orleans.

Click here for the actual article.