Young Makeup Entrepreneur Aspires To Make Women Feel Beautiful

Among the beauty products that line the inside of Danielle Kouefati’s makeup bag are a Revlon Smokey Eyeshadow Compact, MAC blush and L’Oreal Paris Eyeliner. Not many 21-year-old college students can say they have their own makeup business, but the young entrepreneur has caught the attention of locals, doing tutorials, giving tips and making her clients feel beautiful.

The Montclair State University student and Wayne native has based her life around her passion for teaching; with her aspiration to become a high school English teacher, and her long term goal of becoming a professor.

And her new role, as a makeup artist and beauty expert of Eye Know Faces, falls under that category as well. "People wear makeup to define their individuality, and if I can help them redefine who they are, what a rewarding job that is,” she said.

She’s done tutorials that were open to the community, renting space for more than 60 women who wanted to learn the tricks of the trade. This past May, she did a how-to for MSU’s dance team, “Rhythm Nation,” teaching dancers how to perfect stage makeup.

 “She gave tips to girls with different features, and showed how to make the makeup last,” Tara Aucoin, former president of Rhythm Nation, said. “We really benefitted from the tutorial and would love to work with her again.”

Kouefati also attended Wayne Hills High School and returned to speak to the business and marketing classes about her business.

These are just few examples of how she’s volunteered her time both helping women accentuate their best assets and inspiring young business leaders.

“The how-tos are the most fun. It’s always more about them and less about me,” she said.

Kouefati, who started experimenting with makeup at age 13, was drawn to the art form ever since watching her mother, Marilyn, and sister, Renee, 29, put on makeup. Her mother worked for Estee Lauder, so she always kept abreast of new products and trends.

“I’ve been working since I was young, so I’d save up to buy a lip gloss or mascara,” she said. “That’s how I started building my collection.”

In her free time, she’d do her friends' makeup and take a picture of it.

“I’d say, ‘Oh, you’re going to a party? You’re going to the club? Let me do your makeup,” she said. “They gave me feedback, and it wasn’t just me anymore. It became a group effort.”

With a little of research -- a lot of trial and error – Kouefati learned what people's likes and dislikes, and now she has a full-fledged business, with her own website, and an impressive portfolio of before and after photos.

She’s done makeup for events like weddings, proms, photoshoots and recitals, showcasing a range of everyday looks to bold, smokey eyes. She does trials ahead of time for all clients, and has them fill out a form about the event and any allergies they might have.

“I show my clients every product I use and explain what I’m doing,” she said. “It’s not just about the sale; it’s never been about the money.”

She said she’s flexible with her prices and realistic, depending on the client’s situation.

However, she offered the following advice for someone who is unfamiliar applying: play up the best features, rather than covering the flaws. “You don’t have to spend a fortune to have great makeup; if it doesn’t make you feel beautiful, the price isn’t worth it,” she said.

In the future, Kouefati would like to host a fundraising event, start a makeup blog and possibly open her own beauty shop. Until then,she will be at the Cherished Brides event in Packanack Lake on Sept. 27, where she will showcase 12 wedding makeup looks.

“There’s always room to challenge myself and inspire the client to feel good about herself,” she said.

Check her out on Facebook here.

Download the movie

Download the movie

Download the movie