Rising Stars: Meet Lorissa Nelson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorissa Nelson.

Hi Lorissa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’ve always been a “glam girl.”

I used to sell my mom’s Mary Kay makeup at my birthday parties since I was four years old. I used to draw a lot growing up and be in love with art but I knew I wanted to do makeup at the same time so becoming a makeup artist was a no-brainer.

I started freelancing at the young age of 15 and when I reached my early twenties, I had a lucrative career as a professional makeup artist. I had so many of my classmates and women who I came across ask me about my hair and makeup all the time and I wanted a way to show them how I did them both myself.

That’s when I discovered YouTube. There weren’t a lot of black women in the YouTube space at the time – and there certainly weren’t black women teaching other black women how to do their own short relaxed hair at home. So I started creating videos to fill that gap and that’s when my YouTube channel was born. From there, I started sharing my best makeup tips and tricks, and my journey as a young black woman trying to figure life out.

I realized there were too many other women out there like me who wanted to boost their confidence through hair and makeup… but also so many other women who valued transparency and honesty. So I merged the two together through my online video and photo content and that’s how my brand was born.

I noticed being on camera and inspiring other women made me feel alive and I never stopped chasing that feeling.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing in life is ever smooth sailing, but when you have purpose and passion behind what you do, it’s easier to weather the storms along the way.

At the beginning stages of my YouTube and social media career, I didn’t see a cent until years later, I didn’t even know you could get paid from being online until more and more social media personalities started opening up and being transparent about their income.

I lived at home with my parents until I got married in 2018 and even some months afterward because I knew I had no other choice than to make this career work. Still to this day, it is difficult being a black woman creator in this space because the odds are always stacked against us –– but I never let that stop me. Never.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a beauty and lifestyle blogger/influencer who creates online photo and video content to inspire women all over the world to live a life of true beauty that is felt and not just seen.

I share my favorite beauty and everyday products, beauty hacks, tips and tricks, the raw triumphs and victories as a young black wife and mother, and everything else in between with my social media followers. I’m most proud of the community of women I’ve built online simply by being my authentic self.

My social media followers are truly my extended family and I would not be where I am in my career without their love and support.

What matters most to you? Why?
The thing that matters most to me is simply living a life of TRUE beauty. Not one that is seen, but felt. That means being the best version of yourself.

Being the best mother and wife for your family. Staying true to your beliefs. Not feeling ashamed to be your most authentic self instead of falling prey to society’s standards and trends.

Feeling confident every day by pouring into yourself. Having a pure heart and giving to people when they’re in need. That’s what matters to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lorissanelson.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelorissanelson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelorissanelson
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/lorissanelson
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mothawife

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