#BEYOUROWN MEETS YOLANDA FREDERICK

Yolonda Frederick is a celebrity makeup artist and inventor of internationally patented iPhone makeup palette clutch case, Glam Or Ring. Her work keeps her globe-hopping all over the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Caribbean. She’s a creative force in entertainment since 1998. She refined her craft at Aveda while working as a Senior Master Make-up Artist and Show Team member with the highly celebrated Van Michael Salons for over 7 years. She set the tone for her burgeoning freelance career by breaking into the scene as a Key Makeup Artist to the Grammy Award winning Trio TLC! From there, she went on to blaze the industry with the likes of Usher, Ciara, Jennifer Hudson, Harrison Ford, Ludacris, Melissa Etheridge and many more.

Hey Yolonda, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

First, I’m a college graduate and a big advocate for Education. I’m a Mother to an Ivy League grad and a super intelligent Step-son. I’m married to an amazing man who supports everything I do. I’m fortunate to be able to do what I love. I’m a creator, inventor and entrepreneur with 2 companies (Yolonda’s Face Value, INC and Glam.Or.Ring, LLC) Finally, I have the best friends in the world who keep me sane. I thank God everyday for his grace and blessings.

What is a typical day in the life of you like? 

A typical day for me when I’m at home is being awakened each morning with a flurry of face kisses by my sweet husband before he leaves for work. Then I lay in bed and return emails that came through overnight from Asia or Europe. I take my pooch Sugar out for her morning scamper then begin my daily chores. Afterwards I spend time executing my work objectives which includes social media posting, meetings and any remaining work commitments.

If I’m traveling for work it’s about making sure logistically I’m where I’m supposed to be as comfortably as possible.I love flying first class! On a typical work day, I’m up very early preparing mentally for the assignment and focused on arriving on time.  I never like to be late! Once I arrive, I survey the landscape and get set up for my day.  After that I’m on autopilot and my hands do that magical thing they do… I love being in the zone… nothing else matters when I am painting a face!

Your clients include Ciara, Jennifer Hudson, Russell Wilson, Usher, Emma Roberts & Blake Lively to name a few, but who would you like to work with next?

I would love to work with Irina Shayk , Beyonce, Jennifer Lawrence, Viola Davis, Solange, Lupita Nyong’o, Angelina Jolie, Jada Pinkett. Shall I go on?!

What is your favourite type of project brief or collaboration to work on?

I love doing print, whether it’s fashion or some other artistic project. There is just something about being able to capture a moment in time and then going back to soak it in that is so satisfying to me.

Favourite aspect of your role?

The aspect of my role as a makeup artist is not only creating a visual that illustrates a collaborative creative vision, but getting to experience how what I do transforms my client. In many ways I am also a therapist in regard to my contribution to people feeling beautiful inside and out.

How do you handle pressure?

Pressure sends me into laser focus mode. It actually makes me work harder.

What about criticism?

I have a love-hate relationship with that word.I will take criticism, because I know that it sharpens my tool. However, it does sting because I’m a perfectionist who loves to get it right the first time.

What is the best advice you have received recently? 

Relax and enjoy the journey. Don’t merely focus on the end goal but relish all the experiences both good and bad along the path to getting there. Because guess what? Once you reach that goal you will only set another more ambitious one.

Best advice you could give someone?

Listen more than you speak. You will drastically increase your learning curve.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I try to stay connected with what’s happening in the world. There are so many new artists, products and trends. So in order to stay current and fresh you have to continue educating yourself on what’s happening now. Seeing all this new and exciting energy on the scene inspires me to keep my game strong.

How do you market yourself and your business?

I have a superior management team (crowdMGMT) that keeps me busy. Of course, I keep my online content fresh and this attracts new business as well. Finally, I strive to represent myself as a beauty professional.  So when I show up, I’m always giving you 100% in all categories. This attention to detail has gotten me the farthest in my career.

What social media tools do you think are most beneficial to you?

I believe my IG page is the platform that enhances my business and professional persona the most.

What does ultimate career satisfaction mean to you?

Ultimately, being able to sustain my business comfortably by attaining multiple streams of income gives me great satisfaction. I want to be able to look back on my journey and see that my talent has affected a community of my peers in a positive and helpful way.

You are also the founder and executive producer of the  “Living Art” Sickle Cell Anaemia Foundation awareness and fundraising event, can you tell us how this journey started?

My first high-profile celebrity clients were the girls from TLC. I worked more with T-Boz and we became good friends. She is a phenomenal human being and just beautiful on the inside and out.  I witnessed her struggle with this debilitating disease and this inspired me to contribute to Sickle Cell Awareness. I have not done an event in a while due to my schedule, but I hope to produce another Sickle Cell Awareness event sometime in the near future.

You have also completed years of on-the-job training, seminars and workshops, would you like to possibly host your own speaking engagements and workshops to other young professionals looking to follow in your footsteps?

Most definitely! We have lots of these types of engagements lining up for 2018 and I’m super excited! Watch out for my master classes. I will announce them on my IG page soon.

Finally, what can we expect from you in 2018?

You can expect great things from me in 2018. My new makeup iPhone case Glam.Or.Ring is amping up. I have sponsorships, exhibitions, trade-shows, masterclasses, and other engagements on the calendar.  We are also filling the schedule with bookings from my amazing clients. Let’s not forget about all those dream clients on my wish list so don’t be surprised if you see my name in the credits.

Website: http://crowdMGMT/yolondafrederick