Paris Chanel’s Essentials for Any MUA Starter Kit
Paris Chanel is a 25 years old MUA and beauty blogger from Memphis, Tennessee. Paris is the ultimate #GirlBossGoals by being an entrepreneur while also currently in graduate school getting her MBA. Paris chats with us on everything beauty and much more, check it out below!
When and why did you decide to become a MUA?
I’ve been playing in makeup since I was three years old. I would love to watch my mom in the morning get ready. It was the coolest thing watching her transform. I got really serious about it in 2005 and the rest is history.
How long did it take you to transition to learning about makeup to making it your career?
I started doing makeup for prom when I was a freshman in high school. It was definitely trial and error for most of the clients back then. My supplies were limited and I literally had three foundations, seven brushes, and would make it work. I look back at pictures and I’m like ‘wow, That was a mess.’ But all the accidents helped me learn and grow as an artist.
What tips do you have for inspiring MUAs?
Invest in yourself, stay consistent, don’t stop learning or perfecting your craft.
What are your favorite brands for brushes and why?
I have high end and budget friendly brushes. I can’t live without my MAC tapered blending brushes, especially for my transition colors. Sigma brushes are really bomb and are really diverse. Real Techniques face brushes are pretty awesome too. They blend your foundation and are budget friendly.
What tips do you have for young women looking to become entrepreneurs?
Success is earned, not given. Go out there and push yourself.
What advice would you give to yourself 5 years ago?
I would tell myself that it definitely gets greater, later. Don’t sweat the small stuff baby girl.
What company would you like to collaborate with one day and why?
I would love to work with Anastasia Beverly Hills and Black Opal. Black Opal foundations are a staple in my kit. I can’t live without them and they’re also a black owned business and that’s always greatly appreciated as a woman of color. ABH is a growing company and I mean, they’re just really diversifying their brand. I like that they started with Brow Products and are now transitioning to palettes, highlighters, and foundations.
Do you see yourself becoming a celebrity MUA? Why or why not?
I wouldn’t mind being a celebrity artist but I also really enjoy being able to work on different canvases and skin tones, eye shapes, and face structures. But hey, if Beyoncé needs a beat, I’m there.
What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment to date?
My biggest accomplishment thus far is developing my brand on my own. I always have pushed myself and I just never gave up. I now have my own studio and have somewhere where my clients can come and feel beautiful.
Why did you decide to start a YouTube Channel and how do you feel it has helped your brand?
I wanted brown girls like myself to be able to watch African American beauty gurus. When I started watching videos on YouTube there wasn’t a huge selection of women of my demographic making videos. So I decided that I would give it a shot.
What tips do you have for anyone looking to gain a bigger social media following?
Stay consistent. I can’t stress that enough.
What inspires your personal style and where are your favorite places to shop?
I don’t follow trends, I rock and buy what I like and feel comfortable in. I love ASOS, and Nasty Gal. Those are literally my top two faves.
What would you recommend beginner MUAs have in their kits?
Invest in your brushes, one neutral palette, cream based foundations, the original beauty blender, setting powders, ABH brow pencils, disposable wedge sponges, disposable lip wands, alcohol wipes, and a few lipsticks.
Whats your favorite hobby?
I’m a serial online shopper. I mean, not just clothes, not sure when was the last time I actually went inside a store. Amazon Prime is my best friend and ASOS is clutch for the two day shipping.
How can draw attention to their YouTube Channel and Instagram pages?
Have creative content, participate in challenges, use your hashtags, collaborate with others. And be consistent with your posts.
Who inspires you to reach your goals during difficult times?
My followers and subscribers. The love I receive via email or DMs really encourage me to keep going. I never really looked at myself as a role model, I just try to live a honest life and have fun. People are watching and I just don’t wanna disappoint the people rooting for me. I’m really grateful and blessed.
What are your favorite skin care products?
I don’t have a huge skin care regimen. It’s so simple. Ambi Black soap and Cetaphil gentle skin moisturizer. That’s it!
What do you take your personal and professional pictures with?
I use a Sony A5100.
What would you like your supporters to take from this interview?
I’m just a young southern girl with a big heart, doing what I love the most. I’m not perfect, I cry, use filters, and sometimes overthink. I may not ever be the best makeup artist in the world, and I’m ok with that. As long as I’m inspiring someone, that alone makes me feel accomplished and that means more than anything to me.
