Meet Leona Wilson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leona Wilson.

Hi Leona, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always loved all things glam. I credit the women in my life like my mother, grandmother, and aunts who always reminded me of royalty with the way they carried themselves. Their makeup was always flawless, to match their wonderful sense of style.

There was something about their air and manner of walking that exuded elegance. I looked up to them, I wanted to look like them, I wanted to be them. When I thought of class and sophistication, they were the women that came to mind.

Watching the women in my family bond while getting ready for an event that they would attend together, watching my aunts transform into style correspondents while we watched award shows, commenting on the looks of the evening became a sort of glam time ritual.

Some of my fondest memories have been surrounded by bonding through glam. My first time wearing makeup was when my Aunt Luna, who also is a talented makeup artist and singer in New Jersey, did my glam for my first homecoming dance. I will never forget how I felt when I left the house. I felt amazing, I felt as if she created a makeup look that was able to mirror exactly how I felt on the inside.

As the years went by, my aunt did my makeup for my prom, countless nights out, and finally my wedding. At every milestone of my life, makeup has been a part of my most beloved memories. However, oddly enough, the beauty industry was not my first stop.

In 2002, I went into law enforcement, one of the least glamorous, while at the same time, rewarding and satisfying. I never wore makeup on the job, but on my off days, full glam was always on the menu. That love for glam is what lead me to dive more into makeup and pursue a career in makeup artistry.

I received my International Makeup Artist Certification from Glam Lab Makeup Studios in 2019 and was handpicked by the owner to later become a lead instructor for their makeup classes offered in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas. It is upon this foundation that Leona Emm Beauty LLC was built.

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?
I can say that the road has not been smooth, but I am still grateful for the journey. I received my certification from Glam Lab in May of 2019 and created my LLC in December 2019. Three months later, Covid-19 hit, and the shutdown began. I was fortunate because I was just starting out and makeup artistry was not my sole occupation.

I still had another full-time job, so financially, starting my business did not devastate me. However, as a makeup artist, your business depends on people seeing your work. In order for people to see your work, you have to have clients.

With the shutdown, 1) it was almost impossible to build clientele and 2) the social distancing mandates that were in place, as well as the general fear of catching a potentially deadly virus, doubled my dilemma.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I like to think of myself as a fairy glam-mother. I pride myself on being a beauty and bridal expert and educator. I specialize in creating makeup looks that enhance the beauty that we all already possess.

My goal is not to transform a person into looking like someone else, but rather interpret how they feel inside and create a makeup look based on that feeling. I have a highly diverse client base creating looks for men and women of all backgrounds. I have expertise in all types of media from photoshoots and special events to bridal.

I am proud to say that anyone that walks into my studio as a client, leaves as a friend. I genuinely care for each person that crosses my threshold and treat them as I would want any one of my loved ones to be treated.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The best advice I could give for those just starting out is to not be afraid or too proud to take advice or receive help when you need it.

We all want to say that we accomplished great things on our own without help, however, I cannot say that is the smartest way to go about it. Why not get great advice from those who may be able to help you avoid the pitfalls that will create setbacks in your journey.

Also, don’t look at every setback or mistake as a failure. Take the time out to learn from them, and grow from it, in short, grow through, what you go through.

Contact Info:

• Email: leona.emmbeauty@gmail.com
• Website: www.leonaemmbeauty.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leonaemm/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/leonaemmbeauty/

Image Credits
Circa Life Images- Donnamaria Jones Images by Geneva Phelan, Marc Kathykins Creative, and Ryisheed Wilson Photography