49. DC Area Makeup Artist Shares How She Turned Her Passion Into A Full-Time Business https://i0.wp.com/nachesnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/S78049-pin.jpg?fit=740%2C900&ssl=1 740 900 Naché Snow Naché Snow https://i0.wp.com/nachesnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/S78049-pin.jpg?fit=740%2C900&ssl=1 March 11, 2018 August 26, 2026

49. DC Area Makeup Artist Shares How She Turned Her Passion Into A Full-Time Business

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DC Area Makeup Artist Shares How She Turned Her Passion Into A Full-Time Business | Studio 78 Podcast nachesnow.com/47

Photo: Jackie Armstrong Photography

As I mentioned during Danny’s episode, I had an amazing time during a photoshoot with DFinney Photography a few months ago and was very pleased with the photos I received. This week’s guest is responsible for my complete transformation in the photos. Denyelle Duckett is a talented makeup artist who creates signature looks for DFinney Photography.

Denyelle discovered her love for makeup after learning techniques from magazines and books. After giving herself a makeover, she received compliments and requests for her services, which led to her first wedding. Although flattered by the requests, she slow-walked into entrepreneurship by taking a job at a local retail makeup counter.

After a few years of working retail, Denyelle says she received a prompt from God to pursue her talent full-time. She launched her business in January 2013 and has not looked back since. Her career has skyrocketed, even earning her a nomination for a film she worked on. She talks about how she learned her business practices and how she’s managed to stay organized and focused while maintaining her booming business.

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In the beginning, Denyelle was an early childhood teacher who dabbled in makeup part-time
She fell in love with makeup after doing her first wedding, and she enjoyed the connection she made with her clients
After several years, she walked into Macy’s, went to one of the makeup counters, and said, “You guys want to hire me?”
She was on the retail floor working for Clinique for 3-4 years before going full-time; while there, she filled in for other makeup counters and learned about other major makeup lines
To make ends meet during that time, she worked at Marriott bartending and helping out in other areas; that is where she learned effective business practices and developed her work ethic
Denyelle explained that at some point, God told her to put in her two months’ notice, and she became a full-time entrepreneur on January 17, 2013
She worked on the award-winning film “Last Night,” directed by Emmy-nominated Harold Jackson III, and was nominated for her makeup artistry on that film; she recently worked on “The Meek” with the same director.
Denyelle has also worked with a plethora of photographers, including Danny from DFinney Photography (check out her episode), Jackie Armstrong Photography, M Shonelle Photography, Natarsha Wright Photography, and others.
She started teaching stage makeup at Flowers High School while working at Macy’s and still teaches there to this day
Steps she took to prepare for going out on her own:
- Worked on her website
- Asked Danny (DFinney Photography) if she could increase the number of shoots (she’s worked with her exclusively now since May 2012)
- Saved money by limiting her social outings
How she stays organized:
- Responds to emails promptly
- Immediately puts appointments in her book
- Hires an assistant when needed
Makeup tip: Don’t follow the trends! Make your own trend.
Favorite makeup line:
- High end: NARS and Mac
- Low end: Milani lipstick + Maybelline Fit Me Foundation
How to wash makeup off:
- Makeup wipe
- Makeup cleanser (use a washcloth with water to get the eye liner off)
- Rinse
Makeup must-haves: red lipstick and Superbalms by Clinique
Want to be a makeup artist?
- Study the top makeup books (Sam Fine, Scott Barnes, Kevyn Aucoin, Iman, Bobbi Brown (first book)
- Get a makeup mentor
- Take a class from someone who has 10+ years of experience
- Practice on anyone who will sit in your chair
- Take pictures in good lighting (ring light, makeup light, or natural light)
Hopes to get into the ministry of helping women