Meet Imari Daniels | Makeup Artist & Brow Technician

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

Hi Imari, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am from Valdosta, Georgia. I am a Wildcat and not a Viking because those that get it, get it! But, growing up I’ve always had a thing for coloring. My grandma and I would always color the furry poster boards, the coloring books with 1,000 spots to color before you finish the picture, and just random drawings. As I got older I went from a crayon to an eyeshadow brush.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a makeup artist! I originally started with a focus on colorful, glittery, dramatic looks, but now not so much. Currently I focus on more natural and soft glams specifically for women with deeper complexions. I remember when I first started doing makeup and I would get messages asking, “Do you do makeup on darker women,” and I would be so confused because why wouldn’t I? It wasn’t until one day I was talking to a client and she began to express her frustrations with finding products that didn’t have her looking too red, blue/green-ish, or white. Another client told me that someone straight up told her that they didn’t service “dark women”. That’s when it started making sense, and I spent days watching videos and putting together a method that worked best for me and my clients.

I am excited to present the new techniques I’ve been working on. I would like to expand my clientele and do more bridal and editorial looks. I want the world to understand that I am extremely versatile. I’m not just a “birthday glam” type of artist for African American women. I feel like when I use the term chocolate they automatically assume it’s about dark women. But this is the chocolate factory! Just like chocolate comes in different colors, so does my ideal clientele.

I got to where I am today with a lot of patience, practice, persistence and most importantly FAITH . If you’re around me there is probably a makeup tutorial playing somewhere. I’ve taken countless classes. If I’m not working on my face, then i’m drawing an eye look on my hand. Im not afraid to reach out and ask for advice, nor do I run from constructive criticism. It hasn’t been easy at all, and I do become discouraged, but I know where I want to be. I know my end goal, and I know that the only person that can get there is me. So I take my breaks when needed, but allow it to be just that a BREAK!

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’m that friend that you can call and I’m down for anything! I’m a taco lover so we’d definitely hit up a Mexican restaurant. After that, I’m thinking a facial, nails, and massage type of situation. If I had to pick and outdoor activity it would be horseback riding or maybe a gun range to add a little excitement. As the evening winds down I’d suggest maybe a nice hookah lounge or somewhere like a bowling alley/skating ring vibe.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my grandmother. She’s the reason why I even started taking makeup seriously. I was dealing with post-partum depression and I was literally living my life on a repeated cycle in the house. My grandma started coming to my room everyday with different eye looks she wanted me to try, finding reasons to make me have to get dressed to run errands, and just finding ways to encourage me to get back to myself. The more I started doing these daily tasks, the closer I got back to myself. She convinced me to take my first client and would sit right in the room encouraging me the whole time. It used to drive me crazy, but I am so grateful for her unwavering support.

Website: https://marismasterpieces.as.me/

Instagram: _marismasterpieces

Facebook: Mari’s Masterpieces Llc

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