Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Wong.
Hi Julie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a Virginia native who has bounced around both geographically and career-wise over the last 10 years. I always knew I wanted to be an esthetician and had a deep love for makeup and skincare. There was never the right opportunity for me to attend esthetic school growing up so I went to James Madison University and graduated with my bachelor of science in 2019.
While in my undergraduate program, I began playing around with a camera which gradually turned into owning my own wedding photography business. I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart. I was a professional photographer for almost five years, many of those in Boston, but had an intuition I would end up esthetic industry.
My husband got stationed in Columbia, South Carolina and the first thing I did was look up accredited esthetic programs. The timing was right. Once we moved to South Carolina I enrolled in esthetic school and got to take my side gig hobby of makeup and turn it into a career. It didn’t happen overnight and took a lot of grit, but I know I am exactly where I’m meant to be.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road to build an established makeup artist business, but I wouldn’t change it. Not only did it take time and repetition of working on clients to fine-tune my craft, but as a business owner, you wear all the hats. It has taken late nights working on my website, marketing tools, graphic design, and contracts.
In addition to the normal entrepreneurial ins and outs, it really is mental gymnastics being in the service industry with social media these days. There is always someone in the same industry posting and it is a regular battle against comparing and imposter syndrome. This continual journey has taught me perseverance and the power of putting in the work – it has also affirmed that in a saturated industry, no one else is me and that is my secret weapon.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a professional makeup artist who specializes in soft glam makeup looks. Soft glam makeup is yourself but enhanced – think it will show up in photos, is more than a client might wear on the day-to-day, but they are still recognizable as themselves.
I’m known for my makeup looks being you but enhanced and polished. My services are perfect for any event, photoshoot, special occasion, or wedding. I’m most proud of building my business from the ground up and starting it in a completely new place where I knew no one. It took networking, using my resources, and doing a lot of free glams to get established in a new area.
What sets me apart from others is that not only am I a makeup artist but I also was a medical aesthetician so I have immense knowledge on skin and how to prep skin for the best makeup possible. Additionally, what sets me apart as a wedding makeup artist is that I previously had a career as a wedding photographer so I know the ins and outs of wedding timelines, and also how to apply makeup with techniques that will photograph best.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
I am always looking to collaborate with local businesses and other industry professionals! I would love to connect on my Instagram @juliewongesthetics. To work with me visit my website www.makeupbyjuliewong.com and see my contact form, or message me on Instagram!
There are a few ways to support me and my business! One way is to check out my work on my website and social media (give a follow!) and refer me to a bride you know. Another way to support me is to inquire next time you need makeup whether it’s for a photoshoot, gala, wedding attendee, or special occasion.
Pricing:
- Bridal Makeup $250
- Bridesmaids and Others $100
- Event Makeup $150.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.makeupbyjuliewong.com
- Instagram: @juliewongesthetics
