Meet Kerrie Jay | Makeup Artist

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

Hi Kerrie, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always been both an artistic person as well as a creative since I was little. I would always love to write poetry, draw, & paint any time that I had the chance. So once my mom let me play around with makeup as teenager, I knew then that I wanted a career as a makeup artist. It always felt therapeutic to me whenever I would just sit & play in makeup.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a makeup artist, the beauty industry is pretty tough and competitive and your name is everything. One thing that I am big on is praying! I believe that what God has for me will always be for me so I’m never in comparison mode with anyone. I believe in being humble and being willing to always learn from others. There were a lot of times that I considered giving up and walking away to get a “real job” according to others but I knew that I would never be fulfilled doing that. Anytime that I worked a corporate job, I always ended up leaving because I felt caged. Up until the pandemic I was working for M.A.C Cosmetics as an Asst. manager, I had been there for 3yrs prior already & had been feeling like I needed to move but I didn’t know in what direction. Ironically, the time that was spent during the lockdown was what I needed to get grounded and map out my next steps strategically. I started freelancing full time as a makeup artist and I also started creating my skin care/cosmetic line named Roots Cosmetics that will be coming soon! It has been been challenging balancing mom life, career life, and entrepreneur life but it is something that I’m extremely passionate about so I don’t see myself slowing down anytime soon.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My idea of fun is something low key. Whether it’s going to grab food and drinks on the belt line or if it’s chilling at the house binge watching shows or comedy movies eating snacks and mixing drinks. That’s my idea of fun,

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many that I am blessed with to have in my life that have motivated me & encouraged me along the way. My family always goes hard for me & supports me. My Daughter is my number one supporter! It’s important to me to show her that as long as you have a passion then you have a purpose & to keep going no matter how hard or discouraging things may get, it will pay off. I also have some really good friends in my circle that are go getters. I think that it’s really important to surround yourself with like minded people that have vision and purpose.

Instagram: @kerrie.jay @rootscosmetics_

Facebook: Kerrie Jay