Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Weiner.
Hi Karen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi everyone my beauty journey began over 40 years ago with The Magic of Aloe I was the makeup girl working in home parties, my 1st year I was awarded Cosmetician. I wanted to learn more about the beauty industry so I attended Von Lee International School of Esthetics to become a licensed esthetician. Upon graduation I was offered a teaching position from Carole Walderman founder of Von Lee, before I knew it I was teaching esthetics & preparing students for State Board, I taught for 3 years. I was informed Saks Fifth Avenue was coming to Owings Mills opening in 1985. I applied for a makeup position but was hired as an assistant cosmetic buyer. Realizing how much I missed my work as an artist I left the buying department to moved to the cosmetic floor, I was hired as a resident makeup artist for Chanel Cosmetics. I met a lovely wedding planner who began sending all of her brides for makeup, my book was booming.
Rumors began to circulate that the store was not doing well, after 10 years Saks Fifth Avenue of Owings Mills closed its doors in 1995. I was devistated, I lost a wonderful job with all of my benefits that I carried for my family. It was like a death such a terrible time. I was offered a job from another retailer by a store manager who was so insensitive to my job loss, she was only interested in my clients from my Chanel registry. The salary offer was no where near what I was earning at Saks. I declined the offer drove home crying thinking I have to figure out how to do this on my own. In 1996 Studio of Makeup was born.
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?
My biggest obstacle was funding and ZERO business experience. I thought If I could just find a little spot to rent, do my work, make people happy they would come. I had amazing support from a co-worker and dear friend Shula who now lives in heaven. She pushed me and pushed me hard. I rented a lunch room in a local hair salon, I took what little I had in my bank account to buy fixtures from Saks when they liquidated (showcases, mirrors, chairs etc. for dirt cheap) I bought a makeup line out of LA. then started contacting clients before I knew it I was booked with makeup, facials and waxing. I hired my 1st employee witin the first year. After 3 years working in the lunch room I moved to a larger salon with my own suite. I out grew the space, finally moved out all on my own to Valley Village no longer in a salon. I stayed in this space for 19 years, we survived Covid by delivering products to homes and provided virtual consultations. Then came our first FLOOD from a unit above us, we survived, minimal damage. Four months later came the second FLOOD this time we wern’t so lucky, the water damage caused the studio to be uninhabitable. My Studio closed down for 3 month while my landlord (amazing to us) renovated a larger space in the same area. This space is now our beautiful new home, as it turned out the FLOOD was a blessing in discuise.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Studio of Makeup has displayed their talent on thousands of faces including brides, local talent and everyday women via advanced skin procedures such as Hydrafacials, Microchanneling, K-Beauty Treatments, Medical Skin Care along with an eclectic selection of Makeup for everyday wear and comouflage for post surgical procedures.
Studio of Makeup was the 1st salon to bring Hydrafacials to Baltimore, 2011
We are recipiants of multiple awards including Baltimore’s Best, Black Diamond Hydrafacial, ZO Top Provider, & Wedding Wire. Our work has been featured in Baltimore Magazine, Style Magazine, Southern Bride, The Knot, Jewish Times & The Scout Guide. We were selected to be a part of the official makeup team for the Miss U.S.A. Pageant sponsored by Covergirl. What sets us apart we will always remember your name XO
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Happiness to me is knowing I still LOVE everything about this industry even after all these years. I will never stop loving beauty it is a part of who I am.
I had the pleasure of apprentising 2 of my daughters as estheticians also a former wedding vendor, happiness is watching the 3 of them flourish in their careers as Baltimore’s Best. As I look back at the very begining I realize this is what I was born to do. I have changed so many lives via beauty. It truly is unbelievable how you can help someone feel self-worth by just changing a lipstick. I am so grateful to my husband and daughters who through my journey have helped renovated every Studio along the way, they are amazing souls. I have worked so hard along with my staff to make Studio of Makeup a very special place. In April 2026 we will celebrate our
30th Birthday!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.studioofmakeup.com
- Instagram: studio of makeup & Skin Health
- Facebook: Studio of Makeup & Skin Health
