Meet Trailblazer Karly Eldridge

Thanks for sharing your story with us Karly. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always loved makeup ever since I was little, and as I got into high school, I was obsessed with going to get my makeup done for every school dance/special event that I went to. I had no idea how to actually do my makeup at the time but was always excited to go into MAC or Sephora and purchase something new and fun and have one of the artists teach me how to use it. Once I graduated from high school, I was watching a lot of YouTube how-to makeup videos and started to become pretty decent at doing my own makeup as well as friends and family members that would let me practice on them. I decided to look into getting a job at MAC Cosmetics and in 2015, after their long interview process, I got hired! I worked at a few different locations as I continued to grow with them, including MAC Fashion Valley and then I opened the MAC UTC store in La Jolla and became a floor manager.

I went through different trainings over the years and eventually started to teach classes at the stores I worked at. I also got to go on trips for work events for the company, like LA and Las Vegas! While I was working at MAC for these few years, I started taking appointments on my own time and getting inquiries from brides. I set a goal/dream to have my own business one day, and with that in mind, I started to advertise myself. I kept growing and getting busier and in September 2018, I was booked every weekend in the months ahead and decided I just couldn’t keep working at MAC and running my own freelance business, so I took the leap and put in my two weeks notice. I ended on great terms with them and am so thankful for all of the training and makeup skills that I acquired with MAC. Since then, I have continued to grow my freelance business and am booked out with wedding as well as an occasional class. I love makeup and making women feel beautiful. It’s so amazing being a part of people’s special day and it fills me with so much joy. It’s truly my dream job!

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?
Challenging times will pop up occasionally, but pushing through and working hard is so worth it! I remember losing sleep and praying constantly about if and when I should take the leap to 100% commit to my own business and leave MAC cosmetics consistent paycheck. I look back now and know it was meant to be and the perfect time when I decided to go. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing on my own though. Sometimes I have slower weeks than others where I wish I were busier and other times, I won’t have had a day off for nine days and have an overflowing email inbox that needs my attention. It’s always worth is though! I can’t imagine getting up and going to a job that I didn’t enjoy, because even after a long day of doing makeup on a large wedding party I still get home excited to look back through the makeup photos I took and tell my husband about my day lol.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I specialize in beauty makeup and weddings. I am proud of the wide range of beauty makeup that I offer. From natural makeup to full glam, I can accomplish it all! Including any skin tone, skin type or age. I also can do tattoo cover up when needed and enjoy a good challenge. I teach makeup classes for groups of 5+ and love teaching women how to use their makeup products as well as what they can purchase to upgrade their collection. I really care about each one of my clients and brides and want them to feel like their most beautiful selves.

Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
Instagram always keeps me inspired with my feed full of amazing artists. I also occasionally still keep up on makeup YouTube videos so that I can see what the newest products are. I love trying out new makeup!