7 Years Ago, I Just Had a Dream and a Makeup Brush

Seven years ago, I wanted to be a makeup artist…

and I also dreamed of becoming an influencer.

I thought by now I’d have the big following.

The brand deals.

The “made it” moment.

But the truth is… I’m still building.

What I do have now is stronger skills.

More confidence.

More clarity.

And a version of me who didn’t quit.

The following hasn’t exploded.

The brand deals haven’t poured in.

But the growth? It’s real.

And maybe this season isn’t about being seen by everyone.

Maybe it’s about becoming her first.

Alhamdulillah for progress — even when it’s quiet 🤍

#GlowUpJourney

#MakeupArtistLife

#WomenWhoCreate

#CreativeEntrepreneur

#ThenVsNow

#BeautyBusiness

Virginia
2/13 Edited to

... Read moreReflecting on my own journey, I realize how important it is to embrace every step of growth, even when it feels slow or unnoticed. Starting out, I too dreamed of huge followings and instant brand deals, but what really mattered was honing my craft and building confidence over time. Being a makeup artist isn’t just about the glamorous posts or sponsorships; it’s about creating art, connecting with clients, and continuously learning techniques that bring out the best in everyone. Similarly, the path to becoming an influencer involves building genuine connections rather than chasing numbers. This slow but steady progress helps create a loyal audience that values authenticity. In moments when growth seems quiet, it’s essential to remind yourself that every skill mastered and every confident step forward counts. Consistency and resilience are key—as much as the dream of recognition, the true reward lies in becoming the best version of yourself. For those who aspire to blend creativity with entrepreneurship in the beauty industry, I recommend focusing on your unique story and strengths. Progress might not always be visible through large numbers or fast fame, but with patience and dedication, your growth will be meaningful and enduring. Celebrate even the small wins and recognize that every season of your journey contributes to your eventual success. Ultimately, the journey from dreaming makeup artist to established creative entrepreneur is deeply personal. Keeping faith in your vision and embracing each chapter with gratitude profoundly shapes your path. Alhamdulillah for every step of progress, no matter how quiet it may seem.

Related posts

How To: thermal brush blowout tutorial
Thermal brush blowout tutorial on curly hair
Danielle Athena

Danielle Athena

2807 likes

Makeup brush cleaner from Amazon
🤢 The build-up..❓🤔💭 Did you know your brushes are supposed to hang upside-down in order to not damage them? The moisture eats at the adhesive that holds the bristles together! This is the perfect hack for washing them and properly drying them! #amazon #amazonfinds #amazondeals #amazon
HouseofSequins

HouseofSequins

1664 likes

A red makeup brush set from the "Essentials Collection" is displayed in a black box. It includes red-handled brushes, red skull-shaped decor, and red makeup sponges, with "SPOOKY MAKEUP BRUSH SETS" text above.
Two white "Essentials Collection" makeup brush sets are shown, each featuring an iridescent skull, white-handled brushes, and purple makeup sponges. A sign above reads "get that savings glow."
Two "Essentials Collection" makeup brush sets are displayed, each containing a silver glitter skull, pink-handled brushes with spider accents, and pink makeup sponges. The sets are in glittery gray boxes.
Spooky makeup brush sets ☠️
Check out these cool brush sets I found at Marshall’s! The pink and the red are my favorite I’m not sure which one to buy ♥️💕☠️ #skull #makeup #brush #set #halloween #spooky #red #coffin #pink #makeup brushes
Mimi

Mimi

1359 likes

Makeup Brush Set 💄
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 💰Price: $19.99 ⭐️Overall rating: 5/5 #makeupbrushes #brush set #pinkglam #makeup #blingsupplies #tjmaxx #tjmaxxfinds #shopping #pink
Trinity Imani ✟

Trinity Imani ✟

585 likes

A hand holds a collection of various makeup brushes, including those for cream bronzer, highlighter, and powder. The image introduces makeup brush recommendations, with some brushes featuring visible branding on their handles.
Three double-ended makeup brushes are displayed, identified as suitable for cream bronzer/concealer, highlighter, and powder bronzer. Each brush is labeled with a number (F4, F3, F2) and features branding on its handle.
A single buffing brush with a dense, rounded head is shown. The brush is described as effective for blending bronzer, blush, and foundation. Its black handle has vertical branding.
What’s your favorite makeup brush?
#makeup #makeuplovers #sephora #foryoupage #getreadywithme United States
✨Reyna✨

✨Reyna✨

169 likes

A modern, white barn-style wedding venue with large black-framed windows and a clear blue sky. The text "Come tour my wedding venue" is overlaid, inviting viewers to explore the newly booked location.
A spacious, white reception hall with high vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, chandeliers, and rows of clear chairs and round tables, ready for a wedding celebration. The text "Reception Area" is visible.
A modern reception lounge area featuring gray velvet armchairs, a glass coffee table, a bar, and black pendant lights, with a balcony overlooking another space, part of the wedding venue.
MY DREAM VENUE 💍👰🏻‍♀️✨💒
It’s official…. our wedding venue is booked! 🥹💍 I have been eyeing this venue since it was built 3 years ago and just knew it would be where we got married. I toured and booked our date last week and it was everything I imagined it would be! 🥲 It truly is the most beautiful modern venue I’ve
Madisonnmartinez

Madisonnmartinez

2247 likes

A woman smiles, pointing to her cheek, illustrating oily skin. The image introduces how to touch up makeup when it gets oily.
A woman applies loose powder to her face with a fluffy brush. This step shows how to absorb oil from the perimeter of the face for a fresh look.
A woman uses a fluffy eyeshadow brush to apply powder to her eyelid crease. This technique helps absorb oil from the eyelids.
How to Touch Up Your Makeup When it Gets Oily
HOW TO TOUCH UP YOUR MAKEUP WHEN IT GETS OILY: As a girl with oily skin and who doesn’t love to wear matte makeup, I often have to refresh my makeup a couple times a day, even with the use of setting spray. Follow the steps above to refresh your makeup, especially if you struggle with oily sk
MADDY MCCLAIN

MADDY MCCLAIN

125 likes

⚜️Five Years Ago, This Was Only A Dream⚜️
About five years ago, collections like this were only a dream for me. Now, being able to create beauty in my home and serve my family with pieces I once admired from afar means so much more than aesthetics. It reminds me that faith, hard work, and perseverance can take you farther than you ever ima
Miss Evelyn | Home Reset Mom

Miss Evelyn | Home Reset Mom

178 likes

✨Living a Princess Dream in an Ordinary Life
Finally wore my Elizabeth Red OP… and it looks so perfect with Mount Fuji in the background! ❤️🏔️ I won the lottery for this dress earlier this year, and it had been hanging in my room for months before I finally got the chance to wear it. >< I’ve loved Kamikaze Girls for a very long ti
Moonnnn!

Moonnnn!

21 likes

A woman with long, wavy reddish-brown hair and light eyes, with text overlay "HOLY GRAIL DRUG STORE MAKEUP" and a social media handle.
Two tubes of primer, one green-tinted and one clear, on a textured background, with text describing their benefits for makeup longevity and skin concerns.
A tube of foundation and a bottle of tinted serum on a textured background, with text highlighting their coverage, SPF, and skin-like finish.
Drugstore Makeup Worth Trying
I’ve been buying makeup at the drugstore for well over a decade now, and it’s been so amazing to see affordable beauty evolve and grow! I used to watch all the OG beauty gurus and tried many “cheap” products in my days, but here are some affordable makeup products I think are absolutely stellar and
taylercaffee

taylercaffee

398 likes

A flat lay of various makeup products including compact powders, liquid foundations, lip products, and brushes, arranged neatly on a light background. The collection represents essential beauty items for a complete makeup routine.
An image showcasing base makeup products, including a green color-correcting lotion, a pink compact powder, a black compact powder, a liquid foundation, a multi-shade face palette, and a bluish lavender powder, each with descriptive text.
An image displaying color makeup products, featuring a highlighter and contour duo, an eyeshadow palette with earthy tones, a soft pink blush pot, a brow powder palette, a milky peach blush, and a baby-pink blush, each with descriptive text.
✨ Makeup I Can Use for the Next 5 Years ✨
Still here, still iconic. My forever choices — the products that never disappoint and will stay in my bag for the next five years. 💄✨ #MakeupForLife #BeautyEssentials #TimelessMakeup #HolyGrailProducts #LongLastingBeauty
Glam Journal

Glam Journal

91 likes

How I grew my husband’s hair 😍 | TYMO Brush
#growingmyhair #hair growth 😏 #massive hair growth #growthyourhair #unfiltered #growinghair #Lemon8Diary #healthylifestyle2024 #have tried a few hair growth i #growththrougherrors Hey Girl, So in my last post I shared with you how I grew my hair and my very simple hair re
Lara A

Lara A

771 likes

what’s in my makeup bag??
some of my makeup favs right now! all details below ↴ 𝙈𝘼𝙆𝙀𝙐𝙋 𝘽𝘼𝙂 i got my makeup bag at tjmaxx for only $9.99! i love the puffer style of it and its superrr spacious! 𝘽𝘼𝙎𝙀 ✦ e.l.f suntouchable woah glow spf mini i’ve just tried the mini size but it’s super lightweight and gives the perfec
isla brooks

isla brooks

1251 likes

Make up for 17 years old 🎀
#makeupforbeginners #makeuptutorial
MakeupbyShishi

MakeupbyShishi

131 likes

16 Months Ago This Was Just a Prayer 💖
16 months ago, Mark Of Beauty was just a dream, a prayer, and a logo. 💕 One of the biggest reasons I traveled to China was to learn directly from the factories. I wanted to see the process with my own eyes, learn about quality control, compare materials, and understand what goes into creating qu
Mark Of Beauty Cosmetics

Mark Of Beauty Cosmetics

4 likes

7 years ago I moved to the US with a one-way ticket and no plan.
marina.petzel.tech

marina.petzel.tech

0 likes

How I Set My Retirement Date in 2 Years with a Simple Phone Side Hustle
Hey Lemon8 fam! 🍋 As a working mom, I've been feeling the pinch of inflation like crazy. Six months ago, the idea of having a retirement date felt like a distant dream. But now, it's a reality – just a year or two away! I stumbled upon the simplest side hustle you can do right from your pho
Nicole Billera

Nicole Billera

1 like

A hand holds a red Hello Kitty Makeup Brush Set packaging, displaying three brushes with Hello Kitty patterns, two flat sponges, and one beauty blender. The packaging features "IMPRESSIONS for Hello Kitty" and "BEAUTY ESSENTIALS TRAY SET" text.
A hand holds the side of a red Hello Kitty Beauty Essentials Tray Set packaging. Text on the side highlights features like "TRAVEL FRIENDLY," "WET/DRY USE," and "CRUELTY FREE."
A hand holds the back of the Hello Kitty Beauty Essentials Tray Set packaging. The text lists contents: three makeup brushes, two flat sponges, and one beauty blender. A TJ Maxx sticker shows a price of $14.99.
Hello Kitty Makeup Brush Set🥰
Just found this cute #hellokitty makeup brush set with cute beauty blenders in it! This is perfect for any #sanriofinds collectors ❤️ #tjmaxxfinds #makeupbrushes #beautyfinds San Diego
Mimi

Mimi

65 likes

Interview tips to get that dream job!!!
I did leave some stuff out because each interview is dependent on the job so they are just generalized tips! Some more important stuff to bring is: - an up-to-date transcript (high school or college) - an updated resume (don’t include stuff that happened over 4 years ago) - a curriculum vitae (u
Zoe:)

Zoe:)

5 likes

Two years ago…
Two years ago, we walked into a small room with a big dream: create a space where people with Down syndrome could feel strong, capable, and proud of themselves. Back then, we were just hoping to make an impact. Now this community speaks for itself. Watching these athletes realize their own st
Valeriia Litvinova, MS, RDN

Valeriia Litvinova, MS, RDN

1614 likes

🤍From a Prayer to a Makeup Factory in China🇨🇳
There was a time when all I had was a dream, a prayer, and a logo. I spent years praying over this business, wondering if it would ever become what God placed in my heart. There were moments of doubt, setbacks, and days when I wanted to give up. But this year, I found myself standing inside a
Mark Of Beauty Cosmetics

Mark Of Beauty Cosmetics

8 likes

Everyday makeup routine: oily skin + redness ✨ 
First and foremost, I have EXTREMELY (extremely extremely) oily skin to the point where it’s annoying haha. It’s hard to find face products that stay on and don’t slick off in the matter of 5 minutes. These are the products I’ve found that I’m currently loving!  ✨ Merit Minimalist Perfecting Com
stephanie tran

stephanie tran

85 likes

Retrying an old makeup ✨Classic✨
I haven’t touched this concealer (not this specific container but this formula) in YEARS! And I wanna know if it still lives up to its fame! #nars #nars radiant creamy concealer #concealer #makeup #makeuptest 👍Pros : Very Easily Blendable, Hydrating texture, leaves a glow to the und
Diamond

Diamond

9 likes

Princess Peach Makeup and Nails
🍑👑💖Peach💖👑🍑 My latest makeup/nails series, Mario characters! I did this series years ago but wanted to do a revised version to see how much growth has happened and to incorporate nails this time. 💅🏼 Who do you think will be next? 🤔 @nintendoamerica 👑 @benefitcosmetics @benefitclubpinkus Porefess
TheBriaBEauty

TheBriaBEauty

26 likes

You've got to dream big and reach for the stars, it just might save your life!
You've got to dream big and reach for the stars, it just might save your life! My life looks completely different from my childhood and I love it 🥰 #DontEatMyPaintings #celebrateyourself #flowers #bouquet #whimsy
Amber 3D Floral Artist

Amber 3D Floral Artist

15 likes

Makeup brush clean 🧼
go rae, go rae, go rae 💃🏾💄 #makeupbrushcleaning #makeupbrush #makeup #brushcleaning #cleantok #cleanwithme #satisfying #satisfyingclean #cleaningmotivation #makeupcleaning
Rae Hunt

Rae Hunt

1498 likes

Birdo Makeup & Matching Nails
💖💍Birdo💍💖 My latest makeup/nails series, Mario characters! I did this series years ago but wanted to do a revised version to see how much growth has happened and to incorporate nails this time. 💅🏼 Who do you think will be next? 🤔 @nintendoamerica 💖 @r.e.m.beauty Lunar Magic Blurring Primer. 💍 @
TheBriaBEauty

TheBriaBEauty

8 likes

Two dirty hairbrushes, a pink oval and a black rectangular one, are shown on a white surface, introducing a tutorial on cleaning hairbrushes.
Several hairbrushes, including a pink one, are soaking in a white bowl filled with foamy water, illustrating the step of soaking brushes with clarifying shampoo.
A hand holds a bottle of clarifying shampoo, specifically 'Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two', emphasizing its use for removing buildup during the cleaning process.
CLEAN YOUR HAIR BRUSH 🌷🫧🎀
Clean hair = clean brush It was not until about 2 years ago that I didn’t think to wash my hair brush. Now it is an essential part of my hair routine! I clean my brush every 2 weeks but noticed my daughters and fiancés brushes were looking a little rough this morning. Here’s how I clean out
Vic

Vic

54 likes

Rosalina Makeup and Matching Nails
🩵✨Rosalina✨🩵 My latest makeup/nails series, Mario characters! I did this series years ago but wanted to do a revised version to see how much growth has happened and to incorporate nails this time. 💅🏼 Who do you think will be next? 🤔 @nintendoamerica 🩵 @milkmakeup Hydro Grip Primer. ✨ @colourpop
TheBriaBEauty

TheBriaBEauty

27 likes

Wario Makeup and Nails
💛💜Wario💛💜 My latest makeup/nails series, Mario characters! I did this series years ago but wanted to do a revised version to see how much growth has happened and to incorporate nails this time. 💅🏼 Who do you think will be next? 🤔 @nintendoamerica 💛 @lancomeofficial UV Primer and Moisturizer. 💜
TheBriaBEauty

TheBriaBEauty

20 likes

A Makeup Lover’s Dream Brush Set
This set is really perfect because I can keep some brushes for myself and then add the rest to my makeup kit. Linked in my storefront! #makeup brushes #makeup #amazon #amazonfashionfinds
Richie Allyn

Richie Allyn

35 likes

Luigi Makeup and Nails
🍄💚Luigi 💚🍄 We’re starting a new makeup/nails series! I did this series years ago but wanted to do a revised version to see how much growth has happened and to incorporate nails this time. 💅🏼 Who do you think will be next? 🤔 @nintendoamerica 🍄 @benefitcosmetics @benefitclubpinkus Goof Proof Brow
TheBriaBEauty

TheBriaBEauty

20 likes

A person in a wetsuit swims underwater, looking up at a large whale. Text overlay reads: "The Dream is it really never too late to do what you love?" highlighting the pursuit of marine biology.
A person with blonde hair observes a small, dark marine animal in a white mesh tank, holding a smartphone. This depicts hands-on work in marine conservation or research.
A person wearing green boots and a hoodie holds binoculars on a boat, with blue ocean water in the background. This suggests marine observation or wildlife spotting.
The Dream; is it too late to go to school
I was born in Florida. I was raised in Kentucky. But I guess my love for the ocean and the coast never left me. For years I told everyone I wanted to be a marine biologist or do literally anything in conservation but it never seemed possible because of where I was raised. A year ago I decided I
kenzie✨

kenzie✨

11 likes

Chasing My Dream of Becoming a Pharmacist at 27 💊✨
In 2017, I moved to the States and landed a job at Walgreens. It was there, after being promoted to the pharmacy and becoming a certified pharmacy tech, that I fell in love with the field. The science of medicine fascinated me, and I realized I wanted to become a pharmacist. But life had other plan
Tina ᥫ᭡

Tina ᥫ᭡

21 likes

See more