Meet Trailblazer Kiyana Riley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiyana Riley.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Makeup and beauty have been a huge part of my entire life! My Godmother gave me my first lipstick at the tender age of five. And well, after that, it seems like everything my parents ever put me in, called for makeup. I started dancing at 4 and went to performing arts schools my entire life. Everything I did was a performance and I had to have “stage makeup” for it. From dance recitals, to stage plays, choir concerts, and competitive cheerleading, I was always in makeup. I even went to Barbizon Modeling school, where there was a segment that specifically focused on makeup and how to apply and wear it! Needless to say, it turned out to be my career and the thing I loved most of all my many talents.

Today, I’ve been a professional Makeup Artist for 10 years, where my first makeup job was at MAC Cosmetics in Delaware where I’m from! I had the pleasure to travel all around the tri-state and DMV area doing makeup for all types of occasions. I have worked with and for many cosmetics brands, growing my knowledge of what is trending and what works and doesn’t work. I am also a licensed Medical Aesthetician of five years and love waxing and facials.

I am newly living in California, where I am still pursuing my beauty career, one face at a time!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For me personally, there has been plenty of struggle. No one ever wants to talk about the struggle, they just show the end results. But I have uprooted myself several times and have had to start over several times. The two biggest being moving from Delaware to Tokyo, then Tokyo to California. No one knows me in either place, so I had to work twice as hard in Tokyo to get booked and now I’m LA, everyone is talented and wants to be independent. No one knows me here or my work or worth. So, starting over never gets easy. The great part about being a creative is I can move anywhere and do it, I just have to be patient enough to see the end goal, and that takes time. My biggest struggle is actually happening now. I am currently re-branding myself therefore, I have no “portfolio” to prove my work. I wanted a fresh start with new fresh work. In a day and age where Social Media is such a huge platform to showcase your work, I fall short there so I have to actually prove myself by showing people “hey look, I am good” and doing live models for photographers or potential partners. Luckily, a client usually gets a consultation so they can decide for themselves. However, working with another creative who can’t see my work ahead of time, leaves them uncertain and very skeptical.

Because social media is what it has become and it has the platform that it does, I would encourage everyone to do the opposite of what I did, which is to maximize and utilize promoting yourself as much as possible to be seen! I don’t believe anything that’s worth having comes easily, good thing for me, I have a strong faith. I believe regardless of the turn out here in California, I will get exactly what is for me and belongs to me.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of. What sets you apart from others?
Prior to moving out of the country, I started specializing in wedding makeup. I absolutely love making brides beautiful. The makeup is so elegant and timeless and that is what I started specializing in and would like to continue specializing in. However, of course, I can do glam if one needs it and, natural makeup. As an Aesthetician, I focus more on the waxing side, but I absolutely love skincare I have had my own studio where I was doing facials regularly as well as waxing.

Some would say I’m known for my “cheeks” on and makeup application. The way I highlight, contour, and blush a cheek has been very distinct to where colleagues knew when I did a face.

I’m most proud of being true to who I am and what I have to offer. In a world where everyone’s constantly comparing themselves to the next best person, or the person with so many followers or this one’s makeup technique, I know that I do very beautiful makeup for the person who wants exactly what I have to offer. And I can appreciate another artists’ make up skills whether they be better than mine or not. And I believe what sets me apart is my authentic personality. We all wear so many hats during the day and we always try to please other people. However, I am always myself and people usually fall in love with that person. I am a good mix of professional and playful, while still remaining spiritual, and humbled.

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well-positioned for?
All I can say to this is, I stepped away from beauty full time at one point and did it on the weekends only. I was working in the epitome of “a man’s world”, and it took me to complete many of the tasks at hand! And I was very well respected while doing so.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kiyanariley.com
• Email: kiyanavriley@gmail.com
• Instagram: @Kiyanak_
• Other: @Therileybrow

Image Credit:
Ricki Codio, Jon Cruz, Chris March

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