Given my early obsession with face painting, I guess my future as a professional makeup artist was inevitable – it just took a minute to get there. After graduating from the University of Oregon, I spent 10 years in advertising, public relations and business development for companies including Nordstrom and AOL, but my true passion was always makeup. After a tough day, I’d sometimes threaten to abandon my desk for the makeup counter. Looking back, I wonder what took me so long. 

After relocating from the East Coast to the San Francisco Bay Area, I decided to pursue my passion professionally. I became a regional artist for Laura Mercier Cosmetics, traveling for events with its team of national artists and founder Laura Mercier. I later trained at Fred Segal Beauty in Los Angeles and with seasoned hair and makeup artists in the Bay Area before establishing my own hair and makeup business.

Over the following years, my initial focus on weddings and special occasions expanded to professional portraits and commercial photo shoots for advertising and editorial clients including Nordstrom, Vogue, Lucasfilm, The New York Times, Old Navy, Birkenstock, Who What Wear, Fast Company and The Hollywood Reporter. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with acclaimed photographers such as Sam Jones, Ben Watts and Steven Sebring.

I’m obsessive about researching new products, continuing to learn from the industry’s most respected artists and making sure every one of my clients is thrilled with the way they look and feel. Off the job, I still love makeup (you should see my own vanity table), as well as cheering for Oregon Ducks football and volunteering at my kids’ school. A few of my other favorite things: musical theater, singing karaoke and outwitting Alexa in the daily Jeopardy round. 

I love everything about my job, but the best part is meeting, connecting and building relationships with my clients and collaborators.