Being called “bazooka lips,” “bigfoot,” and “chicken legs” growing up, I learned early how your image determines how others view and treat you.

Like many girls, growing up, I was constantly teased about my appearance. I became insecure about my looks and lacked self-love. But I was determined not to let that stop me. I realized the key to being comfortable in my skin is believing I had something to offer. I knew God created me with a purpose, and I took others’ negative energy and transformed it into a successful brand.

With 20+ years as a professional makeup artist, beauty columnist, and lifestyle writer, I’ve been fortunate to share my expertise with tens of thousands of women, from various ethnic backgrounds, create a look that enhances their natural beauty.

My first gig was working on a print campaign for Adidas. I’ve provided makeup services for other prominent companies, including Nestle, Black Entertainment Television, Hilton Hotels, Discovery Channel, Nickelodeon, and Radio One, as well as for notable public and political figures like Ray Lewis, Donnie Simpson, and Caroline Kennedy.

My repertoire consists of working with companies like XM Radio as an on-air talent, the style content producer that helped launch BET.com, and as a beauty columnist for AOL. She has been seen in publications including The New York Daily News, Afro Newspaper, The Knot, The Washington Post, Bustle, and The Washington Post Express.

I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned with you. And remember, don’t give others the power to value you based on their beauty standards.