Today we’d like to introduce you to Mallory Jo Hunter.
Mallory, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My makeup journey started off as a young girl growing up in a small town in Iowa. I would ride my bike to Dollar General, which was the only store in town to purchase cosmetics. I loved everything about makeup particularly this white shimmer eyeshadow I thought looked natural. I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup till high school so that white shimmer shadow did wonders for me. I was always doing makeup on my friends and family. I remember looking at them and knowing exactly what I wanted to do to enhance their features before I even started.
It’s always come naturally to me. It wasn’t until I failed my math placement test for a degree in college where I was like, what am I doing? My granny always suggested that I go to school for makeup so I finally decided to listen and pursue it. I graduated from The Salon Professional Academy as an aesthetician and partnered with a friend from school in opening a Spa in Fargo, ND.
Even though I loved giving facials, performing wax treatments and doing some light makeup applications, I knew I needed more. I wanted to move to Los Angeles and dive deep into the makeup world. I set goals I only dreamed of and made the move to LA. I was lucky enough to get hired at Naimies, a beauty store in the valley. There I met so many people from the industry and got myself assisting and working for some highly respected people. For years I worked for free or little pay. But it wasn’t the pay that mattered to me. I wanted the experience I wanted the connections. I worked so hard that the goals and dreams I had moving out to LA I was accomplishing and beyond.
From working with Tyra Banks, Eve, John Legend, Lance Bass, Sharna Burgess to keying episodes of ANTM, to being on the red carpet of the Oscars, Golden Globes, AMA’s to getting into the Makeup Union Local 706 and working on all the shows on TV. I’ve really made it in this industry. To me, it’s not about fame or riches. To me, making it is to be called back by the same clients, producers, photographers, models. To have people request me and continue to refer me to work on some of the best things in the industry. I can do the best makeup on someone but at the end of the day, it’s always about who you are as a person. Staying true to yourself and bringing positive energy and light into everyone you meet and work with. Thank you to everyone who helped me be where I am at today.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road. I gave up everything I knew And moved away from everyone I loved to pursue a passion. Living in Los Angeles will test you financially emotionally and physically. If you want to be here and in this industry, you have to want it with every inch of you. You have to be able to give up things and sacrifice things. It won’t come easy, it will take a lot of hard work and time. But all these challenges are worth it to me.
Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
I moved to LA wanting to do high fashion and editorial. Even though I love that artistic world, I started off doing natural makeup and I have found that is what people want. I get hired to do to no-makeup makeup and natural makeup a lot. I love being able to do a little bit of this and a little bit of that on someone and make them feel like a better version of themselves.
I am very proud of the fact I can make someone love themselves as who they are. Don’t we all want to love the skin we are in? Makeup to me isn’t about changing you but being apart of you. I think what sets me apart from others is my personality and my intuition. I really connect to my clients and find myself understanding them without having to go into an explanation. I want them to leave my chair feeling beautiful from not just the outside but inside too.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Be open to anything and everything. Think networking beyond other makeup artists. Network with executives, photographers, stage managers, potential clients. The list goes on. Be willing to work for free or little pay but trust that the road will guide you to bigger and better things if you give it your all and stay true to yourself. Be kind and never burn bridges.
I did all those things and really never said no to anything. Now ten years later, I have built an amazing strong foundation of a career as well as a family and I still have a hard time saying no even if it may not be “worth it” to me, I always think what opportunities I could be missing out on.
Contact Info:
- Email: malloryjohunter@gmail.com
- Instagram: @mallory_jo
Suggest a story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Sponsor Shoutout:
Melissa Finestone and her team at the MULK co. are Mulking it…like no udder! Jokes aside, they have created one of the most exciting, plant-based milk alternatives on the market and we strongly encourage you to check them out! Cows everywhere thank you.
Check them out at: www.themulkco.com & @themulkco
