makeup=relationships

So, why makeup…

When I decided to become a makeup artist I lived in Vegas.  I didn't wear much of it mostly because I didn't know how to.  When I worked with xxxchurch I would go to strip clubs, brothels and porn conventions just to get to know the girls that worked there.  My goal was to just get to know who they were as individuals and hear their story and do whatever I could do to encourage them.  Going in, I knew that would be hard.  Walls go up as soon as you say who you work with or what you are doing because of other experiences they have had with people that call themselves Christians and do the exact opposite of what Jesus would have done.  Going in and telling them that they need Jesus and that they are doing the wrong thing is not the way to go about doing this in my opinion, nor do I think its appropriate in any situation.  No one will listen to you no matter what they do for a living if there is no relationship built or trust behind what you are doing. I knew that offering something to them such as getting their makeup done was a service to them that they did every day anyways.  So makeup it was...

I ended up going to LA and taking a makeup course to become a certified makeup artist to be "legit" :)  I practiced a lot!  And soon became confident to do makeup on others. Makeup became my passion not because I started off loving what it was but because of where it would take me and who I would meet because of it.  The stories that I would hear when i was "in someones face"  were....wow, i dont think there are words.  Peoples stories became so important to me and its all I wanted to do.  Hear their stories and serve and encourage them in any way I could...THIS was my passion and I was finding that out very quickly.  Soon, I had friends in that industry, not because I thought they needed me but because we grew a relationship that was mutual, that we both enjoyed and grew from.  Those were some of the best times of my life.  And they will forever be apart of my story and passion.  Because of those women I met....I will forever be fighting for them and their humanity. 

One thing that I would like to make very clear that has seemed to be a road block for people to understand what I do.  I dont need everyone to understand but I do need to be clear on the passion in my heart.  I would get a lot of people saying "so you make girls look pretty so that they can go use their body for men?" or "so you encourage them to strip, prostitute themselves or make videos by putting makeup on them?".  If that is what you are getting out of this....it is the complete opposite. Hear is a quick list of reasons why I do what I do.  

-My passion is to be apart of peoples lives and grow with them, not change them. 

-My passion is also to love everyone but hurting women and children because of sexual slavery is my heart.  To love, encourage and protect them as much as I can.  To be apart of their story in a life changing way.

-I have grown to LOVe makeup :)  Its a fun hobby and it has helped me meet some incredible people.  From the brothels to Macys.  Sitting down with someone and having meaningful conversation while I put makeup on them.  Cant get much closer to someone than that :) Thats the relationship....that had nothing to do with how they look. To have them get up from my chair and say, "wow, you made me FEEL beautiful".  Looks mean nothing unless you can feel it in your heart that you are beautiful. And to know that you were created as you are and makeup can only enhance what you already have.

-To share my story and to hear the stories of women that sit in my chair is life changing.  So putting makeup on women had nothing to do with me making them look good for men. Wether I am doing their makeup or not, that is their job.  I got to put makeup on them to talk to them, build a relationship and serve them.

-And now with be Lovely, my makeup line, my passion is to be able to sell this makeup and fight for a cause that is already doing something about human trafficking. Spreading the word that slavery still exists and to encourage people to fight with me. 

I hope that gives a little clarity on my goals, passion and my heart.  I am an open book so if anyone has any questions about be Lovely, my story or would like to share theirs, I would love to hear!  

email: rachel@belovely.com

facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/belovelymakeup