Annelise Leah Wants Clients to Recognize Themselves—and Love What They See

Annelise Leah approaches makeup artistry as a way to enhance what clients already see in themselves, working in homes, on sets and at photo shoots. In this Q&A, she discusses balancing clients with motherhood and a nine-to-five job, the support that shaped her practice and her plans to invest in others through teaching.

How would you explain what you do to someone who loves music but has never thought about your side of it?

I tend to get a lot of clients who either don’t wear makeup at all or clients who tell me that they just want to be recognizable when they look at themselves in the mirror. To me; that is not a huge task because I believe that every person who sits in my chair is beautiful and I’m just the artist here to enhance the beauty that already lives inside and out. The clients that are usually hesitant become lovers of getting that “Blessed Beat.” The more those clients rebook me is the more I believe that God gave me a gift and I’m going to continue to use to inspire those I come in contact with.

“The clients that are usually hesitant become lovers of getting that “Blessed Beat.”

What does doing your job well actually look like day to day?

It all starts with the initial contact when an inquiry comes in. I also send a very professional response asking the potential client what date they are interested in booking for and then moving forward with pricing. Once they have booked and deposit is secured then that’s when the magic starts. The appointment I make sure my tools are secure and ready to go. Honestly I do that the day before. I’m travel MUA meaning I’m confined to a space but I find that I attend to attract the clients that want to be in either the comfort of their home or space. Now as far as being on set or location for their photo shoot or other projects I’ve learned to make it work. I won’t always have a work station and sometimes that entails me creating a space so that I can get my Job done effectively and efficiently. Im chameleon I always blend in.

When have you had to choose between speed and doing something right? Which did you choose?

I remember I was booked for a project, and the entertainers and models were super late. This only left me with about 10 min to do a whole Matte face with a a bold Smokey eye and a red glitter lip. On the inside I was shaking in my boots but on the outside I kept saying “Yea No Problem I got you!” I kept getting yelled at because apparently I was moving to slow but you know what? I had hold myself together and do what I was getting paid to do. I don’t think it was my best work because I felt like I under so much pressure and I wanted to do well. There wasn’t any consequence but there wasn’t good feedback. Which I took like a champ but after that I told myself if that is the environment that Im expected to be in I don’t want to do that project ever again. I can take constructive criticism but I felt slightly disrespected. Moreover, that one incident didn’t stop me because I knew I had the talent and people were still booking me; so I knew I was doing something right.

How does your work change the outcome for the people you serve even when your name is not the one the audience sees?

Most of the time I don’t care to receive the credit from a big audience. I’m satisfied when a client can look at themselves and then whisper to me “ I love it!” I feel accomplished when after a client attends an event i receive compliments like “likeeee girl my face didn’t move all night” or “ I got so many compliments on my face!” That’s the reward for me. I’m not going to stop . Even if I’m not credited my a model or a certain project; I’m the girl that goes in the comments and is like “ohhhhhh this is amazing!” I cheer for people regardless of the recognition. That’s just who I am.

What is the hardest problem you are solving right now?

The hardest problem is navigating motherhood, my 9 to 5 job, and my passion and gift (makeup artistry). There are some moments when I can’t take clients because I have to work to pay my bills or maybe I have to take step back from clients because my child needs to me to be more attentive and one thing people know about me is that my child ALWAYS come first. He’s part of my journey in finding this talent.

Who helped you learn this side of the business, and how do you pass it on?

There’s so many people that ai literally could thank for helping me and if i start listing everybody I might get Myself in trouble. But first and foremost, I wanna thank Fara Charles for accepting my gift and bringing me along on The Fara Charles project team i have had the most fun creating and being apart of photoshoots, fashion shows, her annual event ArtBaselish and much more. She also put me on to this magazine so for that I’m grateful. Then I want to thank my mom because she was my first client and face model. She pushed me to do this for the public because I just wanted to learn how to beat my own face. And lastly, I’d like to thank my mom’s hairstylist Ms. Sophia who paid for me to take my first makeup class with Top MUA ItsHotChiick! I’ll never forget the day she called me and said I see your potential and I already paid for you to take this class.

Again, there are so many others that I could thank and I want you all to know that I am super grateful for all the love, support, and advice you’ve given me along the way.

“It all starts with the initial contact when an inquiry comes in.”

Where do you see your role going in the next few years?

Within the next few years I see myself moving over the teaching side of things. I incurred a Facial Specialty license and few years ago when I lost my job. I didn’t want to be at home moping around and just applying to jobs everyday. I wanted to stay busy so I used my tax money and paid for the course. After I completed the course and graduated; my instructor started inviting to come teach makeup session to her students and every time I do it I realize that I think I could do this. I wanted to be able to provide internship, and hands on classes to those who are willing to learn. I keep telling you God has plans for Me and don’t worry; I’m for sure going to tap in, lock in, and achieve my goals. So, Stay Tuned. I don’t aim To be the most viral or the most popular; I just wanna do my due diligence and invest back into others the way people have invested into me.