and hire for your next event
Whether you’re headed to an awards ceremony, a wedding reception, or brunch with your besties, it’s always nice to know who to call when you’d like your makeup done professionally.
Lucky for all of us, the Huntsville Metro Area is full of talented MUAs! Whether you’re seeking natural glam, full glam, or something in between, the following list is composed of makeup pros who are attentive, kind, professional, and ready to help you look your best.
1. Sylvia Smith
Sylvia is a professional makeup artist with over 20 years experience. She started her career in management at local cosmetic counters building a strong clientele which led her to opening her own business (Pro Makeup Artist Studio) in 2010. During her time as an entrepreneur, she excelled with celebrity clients such as Tasha Cobbs, Faith Evans, Pattie Labelle, Mary Mary (Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell), Kim Burrell, Keke Wyatt, T.D Jakes and Sarah Jakes, Selena Johnson, Angie Stone, Lalah Hathaway, Leandria Johnson and more. She was contracted for three years with BET’s show Sunday’s Best, two years with Bravo’s Married to Medicine, and her work has also been seen on VH1, WeTV, and Impact Television Networks.
IG: @sylviapromakeup FB: facebook.com/MakeupArtistSylviaSmith
2. Olivia Sparks
Olivia Sparks has been blushing brides & serving clients across the South since 2014. She was voted Huntsville’s “Best of the Best: Makeup Artist” in 2022— her proudest accomplishment to date. With a love for natural beauty, she describes her makeup style as “effortless, elevated, and soft.” She uses sanitary application techniques, and prides herself in having a hygienic makeup kit that can accommodate every skin type & skin tone. Through her Instagram “Get Ready With Me” tutorials, you can learn everyday makeup looks using affordable products & tools. She aims to give everyone in her chair the ability to wear beautiful, luxurious cosmetics for their special occasions. Want to book Olivia? She offers both on-location travel & in-studio appointments at her Hartselle, Alabama salon suite. Reach out through her website inquiry form for pricing & availability!
IG: @oliviasparksmua URL: oliviasparksmua.com
3. Loreal Pride
Loreal Pride is a native of Birmingham, Alabama. She graduated with her BA in Communications Marketing from Alabama A&M University. Post graduation, she worked for a marketing firm and then MAC cosmetics for three years. March 2016 Loreal went into full time entrepreneurship and hasn’t looked back. Since then she’s opened up her own makeup studio, written her first book “Slay by Day, Pray by Night,” (available on Amazon) spearheaded many women’s empowerment events, done brand coaching for other female entrepreneurs, worked as a makeup artist for a number of celebrity clients. Loreal’s ultimate goal in life is to help women love themselves holistically from the inside out. She truly believes that when you look good, you feel so much better!
IG: @lorealpride FB: Facebook.com/lorealpridemua
4. Colleen Gagnon-Beal
Colleen is professionally trained in makeup for film and television. She graduated from the Joe Blasco Makeup Artist Training Center in Orlando, Florida in 2011. Colleen currently co-owns House of Belle in Huntsville, Alabama focusing on bridal, general clientele, and her skincare line, La Planta Skin.
IG: @colleenmakeupartist
FB: Facebook.com/ColleenGagnonMakeupArtist
5. Nancy Finnegan
I’m a freelance MUA that’s been successfully loving this industry for 16 yrs. Each year I have grown my business. I have a great repeat clientele & get many new ones
IG: @nancyfinneganmua
FB: Eacebook.com/NancyFinneganMua
6. Ariel Rogers
Ariel Rogers is a 22-year-old self-taught make-up artist and Huntsville, Alabama native. Olivia Song is one of her biggest MUA inspirations. She aspires to be a celebrity makeup artist in the future. “When I do makeup for others, it brings me so much joy. I enjoy having the chance to meet new people because I become a creator, visionary, and artist all in one.”
IG: @beatby.ari
FB: Facebook.com/BeatByAri/
7. Jamiesayo Hinson
Jamie is a mother of two from Huntsville, Alabama. Since she could remember, she has known that pursuing her passion for art would be her career, though not anticipating it to be in this form. In 2008, she received her license after attending Pivot Point Cosmetology School/ Virginia College. Having worked in the beauty industry for more than 14 years, she began working makeup counters starting in 2010. In 2020 as a result of the pandemic, Jamie was laid off from her role as 3rd key at MAC cosmetics. She made the decision to go full-time with her entrepreneurship and is now the owner of a new studio in Huntsville called House Of Belle LLC, located at 1100 Jordan Lane, Suite E. Jamie hopes to share her passion with the world in bringing confidence for people through the art of makeup.
IG: @sayo_beauty FB: Facebook.com/jamiesayo
8. Shuneil Gadson
Multi-talented beauty artist, creative director, photographer and makeup artist, Shuneil is a Huntsville, Alabama based makeup artist with seven years of development in the makeup industry. Shuneil’s love for makeup stemmed from an artistic background from her love of drawing and modeling. She has established herself as a creative professional with an instinctive ability to bring out the unique beauty of clients, regardless of ethnicity. Shuneil is available for various makeup artistry needs, including bridal, wedding parties, airbrush makeup, special occasions, and photo shoots.
IG: @_shuneil_
FB: facebook.com/shuneil.gadson
this story first appeared in the winter ’22 issue of huntsville magazine.
