Rising Stars: Meet Samara Perchick

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samara Perchick

Hi Samara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
Makeup has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Looking at my website’s “about” section, you’ll see pictures from my 9th birthday party where I asked my mom if I could have a makeup artist come to the sleepover and glam me and all my friends!

I got my BFA in Fashion Design and pursued a career in fashion following graduation. However, after my mom was diagnosed with cancer in 2015, I decided to quit my job and move back home to Baltimore to be her full-time caregiver and medical advocate. My courageous mom unfortunately lost her battle in May 2017, and the experience of taking care of her left me feeling unmotivated to return to the cutthroat fashion world. After everything I went through with my mom and the fulfillment my soul felt through that journey, I knew that whatever my next career move would be, I wanted to make people feel good.

Flash forward to March 2018 when I moved to Raleigh with my then-boyfriend (now husband), who got a job as a TV news reporter for ABC11. As I perused job listings, hoping to dip my toes back into the workforce softly, I found a job managing the front of the house for a local skin care studio.

Coincidentally, soon after they hired me, they began interviewing makeup artists to build a retail makeup program. Knowing my creative background and love of makeup, they asked if I would try applying makeup on clients. Seeing this as a beautiful opportunity to get out of doing administrative tasks, I anxiously agreed. Soon, clients started messaging me asking me to do their makeup for special events outside of the studio, and before I knew it, a business was born!

Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a business is tough! Starting a business in a town without any friends, family, or connections is incredibly tough. One of the first real challenges I faced was deciding when was the right time to take a leap of faith and bet on myself. It’s a difficult balance figuring out when to leave your steady paycheck for a career with a very unsteady paycheck (especially at the beginning!). I’ve never worked for another makeup artist nor had a mentor in the industry, so I taught myself everything I know. With that came the struggle of figuring out how to pack my kit efficiently for on-location clients. I’m sure some of my current clients will read this and laugh because the amount of products and brushes I still bring with me seems outrageous, but it pales in comparison to the amount I would lug with me when I was first starting (hello sciatic pain at 32 years old!). Contracts and payments have also been a learning curve. You don’t know what you don’t know, and I didn’t know anything or have any guidance on that part of the business. Most of the things written in my contracts are based on experiences I’ve had with clients that I could have never predicted would happen!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a makeup artist and makeup educator specializing in natural-looking makeup. I’m known for my signature natural glow style of makeup, and under the umbrella of my Natural Glow Academy, I teach women one-on-one and in group masterclasses how to achieve my look on their own. What I’m most proud of and what sets my business apart from others is closely intertwined. I’m most proud of my business ethics; I always believe in leading with kindness. I’m proud of my commitment to natural beauty. I’m proud of never using filters or editing pictures of myself or my clients. I’m proud of my 100% 5-star review streak. I’m proud of the self-taught skills that I’ve been able to teach to countless women. I’m proud of getting where I am without paying for marketing advertising or followers. I’m proud of building a successful business from the ground up alone.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
As a business owner, I’m constantly learning important lessons. One that stands out is the power of trusting your gut. When engaging with a potential client, if your instincts are telling you to be cautious, listen to them. Don’t push yourself into situations that compromise the boundaries you’ve set for a successful business. Your intuition is a powerful tool, and you should feel confident in following it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.makeupxsamara.com
• Instagram: @makeupxsamara
• Facebook: @makeupxsamara