Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Corley.
Hi Amber, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Looking back, I realize that one of the things I was bullied for became the very thing that led me to my purpose. For me, that was makeup.
I first discovered makeup in the 11th grade after experiencing bullying because of my hyperpigmentation and my appearance. During that time, I struggled with confidence and how I saw myself. What I didn’t realize then was that the thing that made me feel different would eventually become the very thing that allowed me to help others feel beautiful and confident.
Ironically, beauty wasn’t even my first passion. I was deeply into music and loved rapping. I performed under the name XLADIIE and was part of a group called Reckless. At that time, I never imagined I would build a career in the beauty industry.
Everything started to shift when I took a photography class in high school. Being behind the camera taught me to see beauty differently. I began to appreciate creativity, expression, and the way a person could tell a story through an image. That experience made me realize I wanted to be part of an industry where I could help people feel confident and seen—I just didn’t know exactly what that would look like yet.
After graduating in 2015, I moved to Philadelphia to live with family. While there, I started going live on Facebook while doing my own makeup. At first, only a few people watched, but as I became more consistent, my audience grew. People began asking me to do their makeup, and that was the moment I realized this could become something much bigger than a hobby.
When I moved back to South Carolina, I worked at Frankie’s making about $200 a week while building my makeup business on the side. I charged just $25 for a full face of makeup and even created my own cosmetic glitters for clients to choose from. During that season, I remember talking with my family about wanting to pursue makeup full-time. Without hesitation, they encouraged me to take the risk and believe in myself.
Not long after that, I entered one of the hardest seasons of my life. I found myself in a relationship where I slowly stopped recognizing the woman I had worked so hard to become. Over time, I began doubting myself and my abilities so much that I stopped taking clients altogether. For someone who had built so much of her identity around serving others, that was one of the lowest points of my journey.
Leaving that season behind wasn’t just about ending a relationship—it was about finding myself again. I poured my energy back into my craft and into rebuilding my confidence. I worked relentlessly, accepted every opportunity I could, traveled wherever clients needed me, and dedicated myself to becoming the best artist I could be. Those early mornings, late nights, and long drives weren’t just growing my business—they were healing me.
Eventually, life led me to Greenville, South Carolina, where I had to rebuild my clientele from the ground up. Starting over wasn’t easy, but it reminded me that if I could build my business once, I could build it again. Every client, every opportunity, and every lesson helped me create the foundation of what Amber Corley Artistry is today.
In 2024, I experienced another life-changing season when I lost my brother. Although our relationship had its complexities, one thing I will always cherish is knowing that he believed in me. He would call me and remind me that he was proud of me, while also encouraging me to slow down, spend more time with family, and enjoy life outside of my business.
Losing him changed my perspective. It reminded me that life is about more than accomplishments and milestones. It’s about the people we love, the memories we create, and the impact we leave behind. That season strengthened my faith and reminded me to continue moving forward while honoring the people who have shaped my life.
Through every setback, my business continued to grow. Ten clients became twenty. Twenty became fifty. Hundreds became thousands. Today, I’ve had the privilege of serving more than 5,000 clients and building a six-figure business as a one-woman company. Reaching that milestone is one of my proudest accomplishments because I know everything it took to get here.
Of course, the journey hasn’t been perfect. I launched a beauty line that ultimately failed, and while that was disappointing, it taught me that timing matters. I don’t see it as a failure—I see it as preparation. I believe that dream will come back at the right time, stronger because of everything I’ve learned.
Today, I’m in a completely different season of life. I’m grateful to share my life with someone who genuinely sees me, supports my dreams, and reminds me that love should never require me to shrink myself. Finding that kind of peace has changed me just as much as building my business has. I’m no longer operating from survival mode—I’m present, grateful, and able to enjoy the life I worked so hard to create.
Amber Corley Artistry has become so much more than makeup. It’s about creating an experience where people feel seen, valued, and confident. I never want my clients to feel like they’re just another appointment on my calendar. I want every person who sits in my chair to leave feeling lighter, encouraged, and reminded of the beauty they already possess.
One of the greatest compliments I receive has nothing to do with my makeup skills. People often tell me that they feel loved, welcomed, and at peace when they’re around me. That means more to me than any award or milestone because that is exactly what I hope to give every person who sits in my chair.
When I look back at my journey—from a teenager struggling with confidence, to charging $25 for makeup, to serving over 5,000 clients and building a business I’m proud of—I don’t just see success. I see God’s faithfulness through every setback, every lesson, and every new beginning.
This journey has never been just about makeup. It has been about healing, purpose, resilience, and helping people discover the confidence that already exists within them. Today, my motivation no longer comes from proving anyone wrong. It comes from walking confidently in the purpose I believe God has called me to.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of my biggest struggles wasn’t makeup—it was learning confidence, setting boundaries, and trusting myself.
In the beginning, I struggled with people-pleasing. I always wanted to see the best in everyone, and because of that, I often overlooked red flags. I would treat people the way I wanted to be treated instead of recognizing who they were and what they were showing me. As a business owner, I learned that having a kind heart is a strength, but without boundaries, it can also become a weakness.
One of the hardest moments in my career was being scammed by someone who had been my client for years. We had built a relationship, so I never expected something like that to happen. Losing that money put me in a difficult position financially and could have cost me my salon suite. More than anything, it shook my trust in people.
That experience—and a few others—made me become more guarded. For a while, I questioned people. Thankfully, I had family and people in my corner who reminded me why I started this journey and encouraged me not to give up.
Looking back, those experiences taught me lessons that I still carry with me today. I’ve learned that I can be kind without sacrificing my boundaries. I’ve learned to trust my instincts, protect my business, and understand that not everyone deserves unlimited access to my time, energy, or heart.
Those challenges made me a stronger entrepreneur. They taught me that success isn’t just about perfecting your craft—it’s also about growing as a person.
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 South Carolina makeup artist with a global vision. While my roots will always be here, my dream is for my artistry to reach people and places all over the world. I want my work to inspire the next generation of artists to believe that where you come from doesn’t limit where you’re going.
I specialize in soft glam, bridal makeup, and editorial artistry, but what I’m most known for is creating looks that feel personal. I don’t just apply makeup—I create an experience. Every face tells a different story, and I believe makeup should enhance who someone already is rather than hide them.
One thing that truly sets me apart is how I find inspiration. I’ve always been drawn to creativity in every form. I love music, fashion, photography, and abstract art. Ironically, I could never draw well on paper, but I discovered that my canvas was the face. Blending became my form of painting.
I’ll often look at everyday things—a clothing pattern, a luxury brand design, an album cover, architecture, or even the mood I’m in that day—and transform those ideas into makeup looks. For example, I’ve taken the design elements of fashion brands and reimagined them as editorial eye looks. I love taking inspiration from the world around me and creating something that feels completely my own.
My creativity is also deeply connected to emotion. Some days I feel bold and colorful. Other days I feel soft, elegant, or edgy. I allow those emotions to influence my work, and I think that’s why every look feels authentic. Art isn’t just about technique—it’s about feeling something, and I want my clients and my audience to feel that through every look I create.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just the milestones I’ve reached—it’s the impact I’ve had along the way. Serving over 5,000 clients has allowed me to help thousands of people feel more confident in themselves. That’s something I never take for granted.
As I continue to grow, my vision is bigger than building a successful makeup career. I want to create opportunities for artists who are passionate about this industry. I want to mentor, inspire, and open doors for creatives who are willing to put in the work, stay true to themselves, and never let anyone convince them to shrink their dreams.
At the end of the day, I want Amber Corley Artistry to be known for more than beautiful makeup. I want it to be known for creativity without limits, genuine connection, and leaving every person who encounters my work feeling more confident than they were before.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’ve always considered myself a risk taker, but I don’t think taking risks means acting without fear. I think it means trusting yourself enough to move forward even when you’re afraid.
One of the biggest risks I ever took was choosing makeup artistry over the traditional path. I decided not to pursue college because I knew, deep down, that makeup was what I was called to do. Once I fell in love with this industry, there was never anything else I wanted to build a career around.
My dad gave me advice that has stayed with me ever since. He always told me, “Don’t have a Plan B. If you truly believe in your Plan A, give it everything you’ve got.” That mindset shaped the way I approached my career. Instead of preparing for failure, I committed myself to making Plan A work.
The biggest leap of faith came when I was working a job that I absolutely dreaded. I found myself constantly torn between going to work and accepting makeup opportunities that were helping my business grow. Then one day, I received an opportunity to glam Toni Braxton while she was in Columbia, South Carolina. I couldn’t accept it because I had to be at work.
That moment changed everything.
I remember thinking, “If opportunities like this are finding me, then people are paying attention. My work is being seen.” Missing that opportunity made me realize that my job was standing in the way of the future I had been working so hard to build.
Leaving that job was terrifying. There were no guarantees. If my business didn’t succeed, I would have no steady paycheck and no safety net. But I knew I couldn’t keep choosing comfort over purpose.
So I took the leap.
Looking back, I truly believe that was one of the biggest tests of faith in my life. I believe God was asking me whether I trusted Him enough to step into what He had already prepared for me. Once I made that decision, everything began to change. My business continued to grow, my opportunities expanded, and I’ve never looked back.
That experience taught me that sometimes the biggest risk isn’t failing—it’s staying somewhere that no longer aligns with the life you’re meant to live. Every major blessing in my career has come after choosing faith over fear, and that’s a lesson I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Linktr.ee/itsreallyamber
