Meet Marie-Brenda Barthelemy | Lead Makeup artist for film & Television & plus size model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marie-Brenda Barthelemy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marie-Brenda, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
With time I developed a few habits that allow me to be aligned with myself. One thing I do for example is take a bath. It might sound funny but its a healing process for me.
From doing an accountability check on a daily to guided meditation, sitting down with myself helped me become the best version of myself and that allows me to be ready to receive the blessings.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets myself apart from others is the time I spent working on myself and perfecting my skills .I invest in my products and tools, it is important for me to use top tier products to get the best results. It wasn’t easy because the road was filled with trials and tribulations. When I look back at how great things are going I cant help but think about how it was once very dark in my life. Talent is one thing but having the right state of mind is extremely important. As a pro makeup artist, I learned that my time is money and clients need to respect it. You have to set your standards if you want to be respected. I have a few proud moments but one that happened last year would be to be the lead makeup artist for C2 Montreal where I did Michelle William’s ( from Destiny’s Child) makeup! We really connected that day and her story about mental health resonated with me.

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.
1. For brunch I’ll go to Dandy , Barley bar , Tiramisu & Henri .Those places are beautiful & the food are delicious 2. Spa Forena for a full day of outdoor relaxation
3. Gatto Matto restaurant and tropikal restobar for the food and vibes
4. Musée des Beaux Arts has great exhibits like the great artist Basquiat
5. A hip hop step class with the best fitness coach in Montreal , Mica Mayan , the ceo of Sweat avenue
6. A painting & brunch session while enjoying the soothing voice of Selma , Singer & Sound Healer

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to stylist and image consultant Mlle Geri. I met her in 2016 at a conference and I was moved by her story. A month later, she asked me to model for a tv segment and it was my first time modeling on tv! It was a life changing experience because after that, opportunities kept flowing. She really created a space for me to step into my light and create the life I want. She really takes the time to give back by putting on younger talents like me in the fashion and beauty industry. As the first black plus size model and blogger in the city, she truly paved the way and has shown the community that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lookartherstudio/?hl=en

Image Credits
@reymer_photography.nyc @shotsby.lordesss @Houseofkomando @Mllegeri @sarahjanefaustin