Life and Work with Caitlin Hope Guenther

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Hope Guenther.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Caitlin Hope. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was about eight years old when I was gifted my first ever makeup kit from my mom. Christmas morning, I remember ripping through that box and covering my entire face in highlight, blush, and blue eyeshadow (YIKES!). Little did I know, that little box is what would start my passion today.

I have always been more on the creative side as a child growing into an adult. I loved to draw and paint, Michaels is where I spent most of my paychecks, as a working teen in a local grocery store. I started off with a small business selling my crafts, at only 16. I came from a long line of entrepreneurs in my family, so it only made sense. I loved every minute of feeling like such a boss lady at a young age. At this point, makeup was just in the background. I used it daily, but I wasn’t that great. I was using the lowest of low-end products, doing absolutely horrendous wing liner every day & borderline orange foundation. God bless my mom, the reason I pick up on new passions (my mom is also ridiculously artistic) had taken me to our newly open beauty store in our little Bozeman, MT and showed me some new things to improve. We came home and she gave me a lesson on my new items. That’s where it started, the obsession behind it all. Well, that and Nikkie Tutorials.

Fast forward a few years, young and married, living in Germany with my husband who was serving in the US Army, there wasn’t much to do. My collection of makeup was starting to get ridiculous. The good thing was, I used all of it, I was never a collector just to have, I put all of my items to use. Abigail, my best friend, started letting me do her makeup. Unfortunately, it’d take about two hours, but we had so much fun together.

One day, on a Facebook page, someone asked they were looking for a makeup artist. I stepped out of my comfort zone and offered to do it for free. She kindly accepted and I did her makeup for a Military Ball just a week later. My first ever makeup application took two and a half hours, I was nervous and shaky, this woman asked me for wing liner, I was so scared. But I did it, and that’s when I decided, “I think I could do this the rest of my life.” From there on out, I did free makeup for a few people & even had inquiries from strangers in my inbox for makeup. September 2017 we moved back to America & I began my real journey shortly after.

June 2018, my husband had been deployed for a month now, I started school for esthetics, fully in it to be a makeup artist ONLY. I actually fell in love with the other aspects of my profession. I had loved skin as well from the start, just because good skin means a good makeup application, but I didn’t have any intentions of actually doing facials, waxing and more. By the end of my five months, I loved it all. I still had the intentions of being a makeup artist but wanted to continue practicing as an esthi outside of school. I landed a seasonal job with Sephora right out of school, unfortunately, it wasn’t all I dreamed of. I worked there for a few months but also independently.

January 2019, the first month I was fully licensed, my husband was due home at the end of the month, and I worked my butt off. I truly thank this month for where I am now. I would work every single day so that my name was out there. I marketed myself on every platform of social media, I asked my clients to write reviews, and always tagged my business page when anyone asked for a makeup artist. Without working so hard this month and pushing myself out of my box of comfort, I don’t think it would have set up that good vibe for the rest of the year if that makes any sense.

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?
This year has been amazing, I’ve had typical ups and downs. Raving clients, word of mouth, and the power of social media has really given me the gift of using my passion every single day. I’ve done bridal parties of ten, I’ve collaborated with amazingly talented photographers, and I’ve got a few hundred amazing clients that I can thank for always tagging me, recommending me and rebooking! I won’t go into too much detail on the downs, but I’ve definitely worked with crooked companies and people who didn’t deserve to know my ideas when it came to my artistry. The best advice I can offer in those situations, do your research on a company or business before you sign a contract. As for general advice, I always followed my own advice and no one else’s: do what you love, seriously. Stop letting others tell you what you need to do to make money or to stay afloat. DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY. I feel more successful now doing what I am passionate about than I ever will working a steady 9-5 in a career field I don’t necessarily enjoy.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am a professional makeup artist. I don’t necessarily specialize in anything, makeup-wise, and here’s why it’s a good thing. I AM VERSATILE. I can do the softest natural-looking makeup and amplify someone’s features just enough, but I could also do a completely face changing full glam transformation. The possibilities are endless, and that’s the beauty of it all. Some artists have a very distinct style, and they’ll continue to attract clients with that style.

I have continued to say since I was the age of 12, “I’m going to be a business owner,” to age 22, “this will be my last job where I’m not my own boss.” I’ve stuck my ground, and here I am. I built this business around being passionate and believing in myself, so I’m extremely proud of that.

Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I come from a long line of business owners and entrepreneurs in my family, so I truly have them to thank for my hardworking and independent mindset!

Pricing:

• Soft Glam Makeup Application $55.00
• Full Glam Makeup Application $60.90
• Bridal Packages Starting at $100.00

Contact Info:

• Email: caitlinhopewhite1996@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/caitlinhope_mua
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/caitlinhopemua
• Other: www.instagram.com/caitlinhopemua

Image Credit:
Mountain Side Photography (client boudoir pro headshot), Joes Photography (action shot)

Suggest a story: VoyageDenver 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.