Today we’d like to introduce you to IndigoChanel Hall.
Hi Indigo, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Art has been in my life since the age of 6. It all started in my younger years when my mom would enroll me in art camps and I remember being a featured artist in the local museum. It all started with watercolors & colored pencils to bigger canvas pieces for people. I always loved makeup and had an eye for it.
It was a breeze transitioning from drawing on paper to people. I remember getting my first makeup job and was so happy to learn new makeup techniques and do makeup on clients. It all started while working at Bobbi Brown cosmetics part-time being their regional freelance artist and teaching their makeup classes. It was so fun but exhausting. Working with retail has its highs and lows, but the majority are lows.
I remember working so hard, Weekends were no longer weekends and holidays were no longer holidays. They had been forgotten about because I worked them all. Working in retail, they were more interested in sales rather than artistry. It took the fun out of makeup. I would complain to my husband daily about how I just wanted to do makeup and this job is draining and not fun. His words were “Quit the job and work for yourself.”
I remember looking at him like he was crazy. He said to give yourself 6 months if it doesn’t work out it’s ok, at least you tried. He said I got your back 100%. I never looked back after that. I quit the job and I just celebrated my 6-year anniversary working for myself. God is so good!
I had no idea what was going to happen or if I could do it! But I did it and I’m so happy that I did!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No smooth ride is a good ride. But the ride I had and still have is beautiful and I wouldn’t change it at all. In the beginning, no one knew who IndigoChanel was. I had to put myself out there. I wasn’t booked and busy. Some weeks I probably only had 1 client Or less than 5. I had to do foot traffic and go to businesses where people need makeup.
Go to social events. Constantly post on all social media platforms. In the beginning, I use to compare myself to other artists and wonder why I am not getting booked like the other artist when my work is twice as good or better. My personality is vibrant and beautiful, why am I not getting booked.
I would question myself, what am I not doing? I would get sad when clients would not show up or be over 30 mins late to the appointment and I would lose money on the client after because I allowed the late client to still be serviced. It was all a learning curve.
It took experience for me to get my business tight and secured. Time is money and lateness is money. I learned by having a policy, clients will respect it and show up on time or before the scheduled time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I provide exquisite luxury makeup services for bridal makeup, red carpet glam/special occasions, and makeup lessons both virtual or in person. I am a professional makeup artist servicing DC/MD/VA + and beyond. I bring out clients’ inner beauty with a pop color. My end goal is to have every woman feel comfortable, confident, and most importantly beautiful.
Whether it’s your 5th time or first time wearing makeup. Your experience with me will be filled with beautiful energy, love, and pure happiness. I am here to provide an amazing pampered makeup experience for you. I have so many things to be proud of. I can’t pick just one. I will start off by saying, I’m so proud of myself!!!!!
Juggling a business, and being a mother and a wife is hard yet so rewarding. Walking into the house after a long wedding/or being on set and seeing their beautiful faces makes it all worth it. The hugs that I receive when I walk in the door and the acknowledgment of my husband feel so amazing. They are my cheerleaders.
They have helped me become an amazing woman and most importantly helped me with opening my new makeup studio. Another proud moment would be getting a call from Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to do her makeup for the Washington Post and to provide a 1on1 makeup lesson for her. This was a breathtaking moment where my ancestors would be so proud. So proud that I was able to do the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court.
As I see her on the news/social media platforms With my signature makeup look, I taught her. I get so emotional bc years ago no one knew who IndigoChanel was. I’m moving up and I’m so proud of the journey. Clients would say my professionalism and gentle spirit made their entire experience amazing.
I bring out clients’ beautiful spirit, inside and out. My clients would say they feel like I’m one of their girlfriends and I make them so comfortable and relaxed. I treat every client/returning client as if it was their first time in the chair with me.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
If I had to give you one piece of advice, it would be: There are no limitations!! The possibilities are endless!!
If you have an idea, DO IT! It’s ok to be scared! Do it fearlessly and do it with Love. Be persistent. Ask for help when needed. Get a mentor to help guide you in the process. I didn’t have a mentor when I first started this business and I learned from experience/some difficulties. But I never stopped, I didn’t give up and I kept thinking of the outcome of the end goal.
I created a mentorship program that helps entrepreneurs in the beauty industry be successful and book those dream clients. It is a blueprint for success. My mentees that took the mentorship program are now successful makeup artists/nail techs and hairstylists. Don’t do it alone!
I’m here to help those individuals that are just now starting out.
Contact Info:
- Email: Iamindigochanel@yahoo.com
- Website: Indigochanelmakeup.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/iamindigochanel
- Facebook: Facebook.com/indigochanelmakeup
- Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/organizations/events
Image Credits
Alphonzo Hall, Rae Marcel, Robert Golightly Photography, and Ambreia Artistry
