Meet Bri Johnson | Makeup Artist and Mother

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bri Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bri, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
Failure is not the end. Failure was always a huge pill that I couldn’t swallow, the deepest darkest parts of the ocean, the unknown. Failure struck a fear in me that I was not even fully aware of. Being a makeup artist took that fear and made me run with it. It taught me its better to fail and get back up then to not fail at all. Have you ever just stopped doing something, when the going got tough? Yeah me to until I became a makeup artist. Just imagine spending 2 hours on a whole face of makeup just to wipe it off seconds later but it doesn’t stop there you have to go back to the drawing board. Sometimes you just have to start over the second third or fiftieth time until you get it right and that’s makeup for you. No actually that life for you.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Being a self taught makeup artist alone sets me apart from the standard but I am not only a glam MUA I specialize in body paint and special effects so for example halloween 2019 I did 31 days of halloween makeup looks. Being versatile in this industry allows for wiggle room when trying to grow your business. Im most excited for halloween every year honestly because I take the looks up a notch I love challenging myself. Id say instagram and youtube plays a huge role where I am today. Makeup is so saturated on social media I’m able to get inspiration, learn new tips and promote my own business. Ellisse beats truly came from my heart I want my clients to feel beautiful inside and out after their service. If you need a ear to listen or just need a quiet space to relax.

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 considering me and my best friend have little girls I think we would start the day at nacho daddy simply because she was pregnant the last time we went and she made me take a huge shot with scorpion in it and I got to keep the shot glass it came in ! They have a beautiful patio and its a very chill vibe. Then we would go to belt line rent bikes do a little bar hopping. I love anywhere you can sit outside on a nice day or even a picnic with wine and Publix sandwiches. If we wanted night vibe I would have to go to Xperience sports bar and lounge great food and music !

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Makeup was just something I did for fun. My boyfriend pointed out how naturally talented I am (though my skills were amateur) He was truly the catalyst to my ever growing business. I have to give credit where it is due because though there are so many people who are successful of their own accord you rarely hear “I am who I am because of ….” but it’s true I wouldn’t be the makeup artist I am today if he didn’t believe in me the way he did. I think in a world of social media people are always so scared someone will be the next best thing, you rarely see opportunties given. Success has to be paid forward because there is enough of it to go around. My brand Ellisse Beats is product of undeniable belief in someone other than yourself. Thank-you to anyone who took a chance of me and booked my services. To my girls you know who are thank you for letting me practice on you, for the makeup gifts and the overall support especially on social media. I dedicate my journey to my daughter Amoya Brown.

Instagram: @ellissebeats

Twitter: @ellissebeats

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