Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Nelligan.
Holly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up on the southside of Chicago, I received my liberal arts education from Mother McAuley High School and St Xavier University. I always gravitated towards art classes throughout my education.
Outside of school, I loved makeup. It was an outlet for me. On a personal note, I was born with a port wine birthmark on one side of my face and bad acne from teenage years. I always tried to copy what I saw on tv and magazines. I couldn’t quite get there so researched makeup courses and esthetics. I started makeup school and continued on to get my esthetics license. While at school I would practice on friends and family.
After school, a couple of friends went on to be hair stylists and needed bridal makeup artists at salons. From there I pursued bridal makeup and esthetics working at several salons and spas in the city and suburbs. When I do makeup I’m always trying to enhance the eyes as best I can.
Eventually, semipermanent lash extensions came out. They were beautiful and so natural. They became extremely popular and pretty soon most of my business was lashes and makeup. After several years in the salon and spa industry, I started my own business. I specialize in event makeup and lash extensions. Most of my work is by referral.
Great, 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?
When the economy took a hit years ago so did skincare and beauty services when I was in the salon and spas. I took that time to regroup and focus on rebuilding and focus my time on location Bridal Makeup business.
Please tell us about Holly Carey Beauty.
I’m known for lashes and makeup. I specialize in enhancing people’s natural features. So lashes and makeup enhance what they already have.
I want the skin to look like skin, eye color to pop, I want lash extensions to enhance people’s eyes, not take over the eyes. I love making people feel good about themselves. I’m really grateful to clients. They trust me and we build a relationship on such a personal level. Whether it’s for the biggest day of their life or feeling good about themselves on a daily basis.
This industry is hard work. You have to continually invest in education to keep up with times in beauty and it makes me more confident in what I do. I’m constantly taking classes. There is always room to learn. I’m always grateful to friends and family for their support on my journey as well.
There are always ups and downs but somehow it always works out. I’m very lucky to be able to do what I love as my career.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Ah, I used to go to my grandmas closet and put on her way to big heels and makeup at a very young age and do fashion shows for my family. I was destined to be in the beauty industry.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 7739881712
- Email: hollycareybeauty@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/hollycareybeauty
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/hollycareybeauty
Image Credit:
Steve Scaps Photography, Naomi Epstein Photography
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