Today we’d like to introduce you to Theresa Novicky.
Hi Theresa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I first fell in love with makeup while living in New York City, where I had moved to pursue modeling. I appeared in several films including The Wolf of Wall Street, Ted, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, What’s Your Number?, and Bride Wars, and walked in shows like Betsey Johnson and appeared in the Lady Grace catalog. Being in the hair and makeup chair constantly, I became fascinated watching the artists transform faces, not into someone different, but into the best version of themselves.
At the time, I was assisting a photographer part time when she asked me to do makeup for actor headshots. I told her I was not a makeup artist, but she insisted I try. After our first event, she said I did great and encouraged me to build more confidence. We hired a professional makeup artist for the next shoot, and when the results fell flat, she turned back to me and said, “You did a much better job on their makeup.” That was the moment I realized I truly knew what I was doing.
What started organically in New York has grown into over a decade of professional experience. For the past 11 years, I have built a fully booked career specializing in bridal makeup, makeup lessons, and helping women feel like themselves, just elevated. I truly love what I do, and I feel incredibly grateful that something that began by accident became my calling.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Building a clientele from scratch takes time, consistency, and a lot of hustle. In the beginning, I balanced multiple jobs. I have a degree in accounting, so I worked part time crunching numbers while also working evenings at a beauty counter and taking any makeup job I could get.
There were plenty of early mornings, long wedding days, and moments where I questioned whether I could turn this into something sustainable. But I really wanted it. Over time, I slowly worked less in accounting and more in makeup, from on site weddings to prom, special events, and one on one makeup lessons.
Eventually, what started as something I was building on the side became my full time career. Now I work 100 percent in the beauty industry doing what I truly love. The growth did not happen overnight, but every step shaped the business I have today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Makeup By Theresa?
Makeup By Theresa is a luxury bridal beauty business based in Raleigh, North Carolina. I specialize in timeless, elegant makeup that enhances your natural features so you still look like yourself on your wedding day. My goal is always for my brides to look the same in their wedding photos as they do on the beach during their honeymoon. Beautiful, confident, and effortlessly radiant.
Most of my clients are looking for soft glam that feels elevated but never heavy. They want to feel polished without looking overdone. That is what I am known for. I focus on skin first, seamless blending, and makeup that photographs flawlessly in both natural light and professional photography.
What sets me apart is my attention to detail and my commitment to a truly professional experience. I bring a high end, fully sanitized professional kit and use luxury products that perform under pressure. Lighting is incredibly important, so I travel with two professional Makeup Light systems to ensure perfect color matching and blending. This eliminates harsh foundation lines and guarantees everything transitions beautifully from face to neck and décolletage.
In addition to weddings, I also work on commercial and editorial projects. Most recently, I was hired by UNC to provide on site makeup services for a student athlete apparel campaign. The shoot included both female and male athletes, and my role was to ensure everyone looked polished and camera ready under bright studio lighting. That included everything from full glam to strategic shine control for male athletes so they looked natural but refined on camera. Working in both bridal and commercial spaces has strengthened my ability to create makeup that performs beautifully in person and under professional lighting.
I am also known for being calm, reliable, and organized on a day that can otherwise feel overwhelming. My brides know they can trust me to show up prepared, on time, and ready to create a look that lasts from the first photo to the final dance.
Brand wise, I am most proud of the trust I have built over the past 11 years. I have had the honor of serving hundreds of brides who value professionalism, artistry, and feeling like the best version of themselves. My business is built on referrals, relationships, and consistent results, and that is something I am incredibly proud of.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The best way to work with me is to book bridal beauty services for your wedding day or schedule a one on one makeup lesson in my Raleigh studio. I also offer special event makeup and skin focused services to help clients feel confident year round.
I love collaborating with photographers, wedding planners, hairstylists, and local brands on styled shoots and commercial projects. Having recently worked with UNC on a student athlete apparel campaign, I am always open to creative collaborations that require professional, camera ready makeup under high performance lighting.
For those who want to support my business, referrals mean everything to me. Sharing my work, leaving a review, or recommending Makeup By Theresa to a friend truly helps my small business grow.
You can learn more or inquire about services at MakeupByTheresa.com
Pricing:
- $800 on site minimum
- $1200 starting day rate for production
- $800 half day rate
Contact Info:
- Website: https://makeupbytheresa.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/theresamarien
