Meet Bernard Taylor of Charlotte

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bernard Taylor.

Hi Bernard, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Firstly, thank you, Voyage Raleigh, for this lovely feature. My passion for the arts started super young. I remember growing up and spending hours reading fashion books, diving into every designer Catwalk book I could get my hands on. One of the greatest books in fashion is The Chiffon Trenches by André Leon Talley—that book was impeccable. Fashion completely shaped how I saw the world and influenced my approach to makeup. When I was nine, I randomly stumbled across Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin, and not long after, I found Fine Beauty by Sam Fine. From that moment, my life was never the same.

I’ve always viewed makeup as “fashion for the face,” and with my deep love for fashion, I knew makeup was the perfect bridge to that world. At 13, I made my first post on a site called Beautylish, showcasing a bold look on my sister, a monochromatic smokey eye paired with a dark, vampy lip. The community encouraged me, offering advice and motivating me to keep going. By 14, I gained the confidence to create an Instagram account, and now, ten years later, Bernard Artistry is still going strong.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I can’t say it’s been a smooth road. I grew up in a time when liking makeup wasn’t popular, and being a makeup artist wasn’t the norm. I had nothing but books and a handful of YouTubers even talking about it. The career itself didn’t make sense unless you lived in a major city—and I didn’t. Coming from a small town like Mebane, the dream felt far away. But I stayed true to my craft, spent five years locked in, and grounded myself in artistry and product knowledge. I studied everything, undertones, color theory, and the techniques needed for different skin types—until I fully understood how it all worked.

With Jesus, the struggle got lighter, and I started to blossom out of the foundation of where I was. I made connections, worked with insanely talented models and photographers, and shot campaigns—all while being here in North Carolina. More than anything, I’m grateful for the bumps in the road because they have built my character.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My ladies are all soft glam lovers, so that’s the work I’ve specialized in for a while now and it’s what I’m most known for. Timeless, blurred, airbrushed glamour. But don’t get it twisted, I love the artistic side of makeup too, and I can’t wait to show more of that to my audience.

What I’m most proud of is the safe space I’ve built in this community. So many people have welcomed me into their spaces, their homes, and some of their most private, intimate moments. Those experiences have shaped me, molding my craft into something rooted in love. And through that love, I’ve been able to impact others in the same positive way.

What sets me apart is my intensity. I have a deep, fiery passion for this art, and I’m always eager to learn more. Makeup has always been a safe haven for me, and making people feel safe through makeup is exactly what I’m here to do.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
With AI on the rise, I can’t help but wonder how it’ll shape the future of makeup artistry. I can see the benefits, but there are some downsides too. More than anything, I just hope that in the next five to ten years, makeup becomes less about criticism and more about self-expression and self-care. For so many people, that’s the one moment in the day they get to themselves to step away from the chaos and just be. I want makeup to be seen for what it really is, a way to pour back into yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bernardartistry.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bernardartistry/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BernardTaylour