Today we’d like to introduce you to Haley Carmody.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I created Haley Carmody Artistry in 2017 when I was just 21 years old. I’m originally from Las Vegas, and I’ve been classically trained in art for as long as I can remember. Creativity has always been the foundation for me, but I didn’t see a traditional path that felt aligned, so I made the decision to leave college and pursue a career in the beauty industry instead.
That decision led me to permanent makeup and cosmetic tattooing, which immediately clicked. I was drawn to the precision, the technical skill, and the ability to create natural, lasting results. It felt like the perfect intersection of artistry and discipline.
In 2020, I began taking clients in San Diego, and by 2021, I made the full move while still maintaining my Las Vegas clientele—which I continue to this day. As my experience grew, I stepped into education and became a trainer in 2022, sharing my knowledge with other artists entering the industry.
In October of 2023, I opened my studio in La Jolla @hcastudios somewhat unexpectedly—after receiving a direct message on Instagram about taking over an existing lease. It wasn’t something I had been planning, but I trusted the opportunity and moved forward. That decision became a major turning point for me.
Beyond the artistry itself, I’ve always had a strong passion for design. I personally designed my studio spaces from the ground up, with a focus on creating a modern, elevated environment that reflects the level of service we provide. The aesthetic and client experience are just as important to me as the results, and I believe environment plays a huge role in how beauty services are perceived.
As the business evolved, I expanded into a second space—an experience that was both exciting and deeply personal. My fiancé believed in me and my vision early on and supported that next step by investing his life savings into the buildout. Along the way, I continued to invest into the space myself, pouring my heart and everything I had into bringing it to life. That chapter represents a pivotal moment of growth and belief in what I was building.
In June of 2024, due to my fiancé’s military stationing, I expanded my clientele to Hawaii, effectively working across three cities: San Diego, Las Vegas, and Oahu.
By May of 2025, I expanded the La Jolla studio, and by that fall, it was fully occupied. Building a space for other artists to grow alongside me has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.
Now, I’m in a season of refining and scaling more intentionally. I’ve begun focusing on growing a team by bringing PMU artists on under me, while also expanding into new areas of the industry, including a pico laser business. It’s been an exciting shift from purely being an artist to stepping more fully into a leadership and ownership role.
At the same time, I’ve made the decision to step back from constant travel and focus more on my life and business in La Jolla. I’m really enjoying the stability I’ve built and the direction things are heading.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like most entrepreneurs, my journey has come with a lot of learning curves—especially early on.
When I first entered the permanent makeup industry, there was very little mentorship available, and the quality of trainings wasn’t what it is today. I had to build my skill set largely through trial and error, which can be difficult in an industry like PMU where the work is so precise and not very forgiving. There were definitely moments early on where I made mistakes, and I had to learn how to stay confident, push through, and keep going despite that.
At the same time, I was learning how to run a business on my own. There was no roadmap—I figured things out as I went, from finances to client experience to scaling. One of the biggest tests came during COVID, when my business was operating across two cities at a relatively young age. Navigating that uncertainty forced me to become more adaptable and resilient very quickly.
Relocating to San Diego was another major challenge. I had built a strong client base in Las Vegas, where I was born and raised, but moving meant starting over in many ways. I couldn’t rely on familiarity or connections—I had to rebuild my clientele from the ground up in a new market.
As I grew, building my training program also came with its own challenges. I hold myself to a high standard, so I’m constantly refining and improving the program after every class to make sure it truly delivers value.
Opening my first studio was another leap of faith. I didn’t have a formal business plan or a large financial cushion—I just had a clear vision of what I wanted to create and trusted myself to figure it out along the way.
Expanding into Hawaii brought a new set of challenges as well. While I was fortunate to book quickly, the market was very different, and I had to learn how to adapt my approach. It pushed me to grow as both an artist and a business owner, and it also allowed me to introduce services like nano brows to a newer audience there.
One of the most demanding experiences was building out my studio spaces. I significantly underestimated both the cost and complexity of construction. Managing that process largely on my own—while my fiancé was stationed in Hawaii and my family was in Las Vegas—required a lot of problem-solving, patience, and persistence.
Overall, each challenge has forced me to grow—not just in skill, but in mindset. I’ve learned to trust myself, stay adaptable, and keep moving forward even when things feel uncertain.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in permanent makeup and cosmetic tattooing, offering services designed to enhance natural features in a subtle, long-lasting way. My core services include nano brows, lip blush, and eyeliner tattooing.
Nano brows are a machine-based technique that creates fine, hair-like strokes to mimic natural brow hair, giving a soft and realistic result. Lip blush enhances the natural color and shape of the lips, adding definition and a more even tone, while eyeliner tattooing provides a polished, low-maintenance look that frames the eyes.
In addition to working with clients, I also offer trainings for artists who want to enter or elevate their skills in the permanent makeup industry. Education has become a big part of my business, and I focus on helping artists build both technical skill and confidence.
I’ve also expanded into pico laser removal, which is used for lightening or removing unwanted pigment, including previous permanent makeup. This allows me to support clients not only in creating results, but also in correcting or refining past work when needed.
Overall, my work sits at the intersection of artistry, precision, and client experience—helping people feel more confident while also building a space and brand that reflects a higher standard within the beauty industry.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I see the beauty industry as much more than a service—it’s a pathway for women to build real, scalable businesses. Permanent makeup is a luxury because it creates daily convenience, and I love how it makes women feel—it brings them back to life with confidence while simplifying their routine.
It’s also a highly technical skill that takes years to master. In a market like San Diego, there are a lot of artists, but very few operating at a truly elevated level. I believe that gap will only continue to grow.
My goal is to pass on everything I’ve learned over the past decade to my mentees and team, helping them build both strong skill sets and strong businesses.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Haleycarmodyartistry.com
- Instagram: @Haleycarmodyartistry
