Meet Lydia Ward | Makeup Artist

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

Hi Lydia, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
I have encountered some extremely hard seasons through my career. I am endlessly proud of the brand and reputation I’ve built — one founded on authenticity, kindness, and a genuine love for helping others feel beautiful. Through every season of life — the highs, the heartbreaks, the milestones of motherhood — makeup has been my passion, my escape, and my purpose. I can truly say that never giving up, even in the hardest moments, has shaped me into the artist and woman I am today. And I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
From the time I was a little girl, I’ve always loved makeup. I can still remember watching my mom sell Avon to the ladies at church. I’d help her bag up the orders—and of course, order a few things for myself to play with. My best friend and I would spend hours experimenting with makeup, trading products, and learning how to transform each other’s looks.

When I was eleven, my mom signed me up for Glamour Shots, and it was the first time I had my hair and makeup professionally done. I absolutely loved the experience—it made me feel confident, beautiful, and inspired. From then on, I was hooked. That was the moment I knew makeup would always be a part of me. I loved watching beauty transformation shows like The Swan and America’s Next Top Model, completely fascinated by how makeup could not only enhance someone’s appearance but also their confidence.

After high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do. College didn’t interest me much, although I did try an esthetician program for a short time. I ended up bartending at Ruby Tuesday for a few years before moving to the Cayman Islands, where I continued bartending for three years—it was an incredible adventure.

When I moved back home in 2016 to get married, a friend did my bridal makeup. I remember shopping at Sephora for all my wedding day products, and that experience reignited something deep inside me. I realized how much I loved beauty and wanted to make others feel that same way. Burned out from the restaurant industry and uninspired by desk jobs, I decided that I was going to pursue my passion and become a professional makeup artist—no matter what it took. My husband thought it was just a phase, but I knew it wasn’t.

After quitting my job at Blue Cross, I dove headfirst into learning everything I could. I spent hours watching YouTube tutorials, buying makeup and brushes, and practicing on myself and friends. I started doing makeup for friends and family weddings—often for free or very little—just to build my portfolio. Slowly, I built my social media presence, shared my work, and word of mouth began to spread. With every wedding, I gained more experience, more confidence, and more love for what I was doing.

Even through both of my pregnancies, I worked tirelessly—lugging my heavy makeup kits and equipment right up until eight or nine months pregnant. In 2018, I welcomed my first child, and in 2021, my second. Balancing motherhood while growing my business has been one of the hardest yet most rewarding challenges of my life.

By 2022, my career was thriving. I was fully booked every weekend, my inbox overflowing with bridal inquiries. But that year also brought deep personal loss—my uncle and grandfather both passed away from terminal cancer, and soon after, my nana was diagnosed with the same. Losing three close family members within two years was devastating. But through that heartbreak, my work became my therapy. Makeup artistry gave me purpose and strength when I needed it most. Helping others feel beautiful and confident helped me heal.

Today, I’m proud to be collaborating with over ten local photographers across Georgia and Alabama, providing luxury hair and makeup for everything from boudoir and bridal to lifestyle, editorial, and family photography sessions. I’ve also had the amazing opportunity to work with a UK-based producer on the Truly channel’s show Transformed, where I give people with unique styles everyday glam makeovers. Working in production has been such a fun and inspiring experience.

I’m incredibly proud of the business I built from the ground up. Over the past decade, I’ve worked countless weddings, built lasting friendships, and had opportunities I only dreamed about as a little girl playing with Avon samples. Through motherhood, loss, and hard seasons, I never gave up—and I believe that perseverance has made me both a stronger person and a better artist.

Makeup isn’t just what I do—it’s who I am. It’s how I connect with others, lift them up, and remind them of their own beauty and strength. And I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to visit for a week, I’d want to give them a true taste of what makes this area so special. We’d start the trip with a day at Callaway Gardens, biking through the scenic trails and taking in all the natural beauty before stopping by the Butterfly Center — it’s such a peaceful and magical experience to walk among hundreds of butterflies in a tropical setting.

For dinner, I’d take them to some of my favorite local spots, San Marcos Mexican Restaurant. The food is always delicious, the atmosphere is lively, and it’s the perfect place to unwind over chips, salsa, and margaritas. Another night I would take them Cason’s tap room or Luke’s pub for some drinks and live entertainment!

One of the highlights of the week would definitely be riding four-wheelers down the country back roads, just enjoying the open air, good music, and plenty of laughs. It’s the kind of simple fun that captures the spirit of the area — laid-back, full of adventure, and surrounded by natural beauty.

By the end of the week, I’d want them to leave feeling refreshed, connected, and understanding exactly why I love calling this place home.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband , Tyler Ward for loving and supporting me through my career. He constantly encourages me to pursue my passion and has always made sure I have everything I need for my business. Behind the scenes he helps me with cleaning brushes, making wedding day timelines as well as packing and unpacking my car with my heavy bags and makeup chair.
We have been together since high school and I am so blessed for the life we have built together the last 17 years.
I would also like to dedicate this to my Nana, Faye Poague in heaven. She was always my biggest fan and supported my work and career from the time I started.
She always loved seeing photos of my artistry and loved hearing about my business and always encouraged me.
I know she is so proud watching over me today.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/makeupbylydiaward/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Makeupbylydiaward

Image Credits
Ryan Harville photography