Meet Sarah Hooda-Virani: Makeup Artist & Merchant Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Hooda-Virani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, what’s your definition for success?
Growing up, success was defined by a very straightforward, traditional guideline. Go to college, get a degree, get a 9-5 job, get married, have kids. But listen to this! “Favorable or desired outcome.” That’s the dictionary definition for “success.” I quickly began to realize that my desired outcome in life wasn’t very traditional. I was always super creative growing up, always into makeup and fashion! I’ll be honest, I wasn’t always the most book smart in the room and I definitely wasn’t the one getting straight As in the classroom. I got through school somehow, but then I thought, “now what?” I tried different things, I tried being a teacher, which I did enjoy but it didn’t spark something in me. I tried working at a salon, which did give me the creative freedom that I wanted but I knew I had more potential. I even did my fair share in retail and boy, we do not give retail workers enough credit or grace. I knew I always wanted to have my own skincare and makeup line. So I did just that. One fine morning, I woke up, set a launch date and made it happen. All of that, while also working a 9-5 that truly made me excited to go to work and also allowed me to plan out cute “office outfits!” So to me, success isn’t what your mom and dad decide for you. Success doesn’t even have to mean wealth. Success is whatever you make out of your life that makes you WANT to get out of bed everyday. Success is what makes you proud of who you’ve become and who you want to continue to be tomorrow. Doing what truly makes YOU happy and being unapologetic. Success is confidence. When you’ve achieved “success” you will feel that little spark inside of you.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Okay, so I have a notes page in my phone with all of my favorite spots in and around Atlanta. My best friend coming to town for a week? Oh it’s going to be a fun one! I would take her to brunch at Le Bilboquet in Buckhead, obviously we are ordering bottomless Mimosas. Needless to say, we are taking a bunch of Instagram photos throughout the week. Gotta get that workout in so I’d get her a guest pass to my gym. We’d have to go to Pricci for dinner one night and Yebo Beach Haus for a cute daytime lunch. We could spend the day on Lake Lanier, maybe rent a speedboat! I would want to do her makeup and hair for sure and then, surprise surprise, some more IG photos. She loves my style so I would have to take her shopping to revamp her closet. Gotta throw some Indian food into the mix so I would probably take her to a local Indian restaurant, grab some samosas, maybe some Halwa Puri and definitely some Chicken Tikka Masala! Oh and she has to try the Acai Bowls at Playa Bowls!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Okay so I needed to go into my notes page for this one! I have a long notes page with places I need to visit in Atlanta because there’s something new opening up every week. If my best friend came into town I would take her to brunch at a cute outdoor spot in Buckhead in Atlanta, for sure! Then we could hop on over to a local cafe, take some Instagram photos, of course! I would probably want to do her makeup, obviously! End the night with some dinner at, again, a restaurant in Buckhead! Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband has been someone who has supported me through it all! From the dumb decisions to the best ones, no questions asked. I think having such a strong support system who not once has judged me has been so encouraging and given me a huge confidence boost. At the same time, I do think you can truly accomplish anything you want, if you truly want. Believing in yourself is the only way others will believe in you.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahhoodavirani/

Image Credits
All images are captured by Moments By Amyn