I was born and raised in the Boston area with parents who filled my life with music and art. From an early age, I was drawn to musical theater, performing in community productions and professional productions alike— North Shore Music Theater being the most exciting early opportunity for me. In addition to theater, I had access to some incredible visual arts programs and took classes in painting and illustration throughout my school years. I continued my education at Syracuse University as a Musical Theater major, moved to New York City, and was lucky enough to start working right away. Along with a string of regional credits, I got the chance to perform again in Boston on two major national tours, playing Maureen for the 20th Anniversary of RENT, and Sherrie in the 10th Anniversary of Rock of Ages. 

My involvement in professional theater meant that, of course, hair and makeup were a part of my everyday life, but I started to notice an interesting pattern. Because I had a background in portraiture and illustration, I was able to call upon my artistic skill set to confidently execute a wide variety of stage makeup looks, but the actors around me often felt lost. In theater, performers are expected to apply their own makeup in a stage-specific style, but the only training available tends to live in the realm of special effects. There are, essentially, no resources available for learning how to achieve a standard stage look. On top of that, actors need real-world application skills for auditions, events, and day-to-day life. This presents a highly specific challenge: learn two completely different technical application styles, and assemble a collection that serves both. 

One of my favorite ways to connect with my fellow actors was to share what I knew, so I would set up “cute little makeup parties” to help them gather a functional collection of products and practice application techniques. We had a lot of fun, and it made the pre-show process much easier for a lot of people. It also became clear that almost everyone was struggling with the same few things, so I began documenting my instructions, streamlining my explanations of major concepts, and illustrating a series of detailed visual aids. What started as an informal way to connect with my coworkers turned into a successful consult service, and once I was back in New York, I supported myself between contracts by working with people one on one. 

Thankfully, I was up and running before the pandemic, which completely shut down the theater industry overnight. Without performance opportunities, I gave all of my energy to hair and makeup. I received my artist’s certification from Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, marketed my skills to photographers and stylists, and began working regularly as a professional hair and makeup artist. Before long, my editorial work was included in some major publications— most notably, Vogue Italia. While I truly enjoy doing makeup for movies, bridal parties, and photoshoots, I am most passionate about teaching the skill and watching someone realize what they’re capable of on their own. On top of that, I liked the idea of devoting my time to a service I could bring with me anywhere and offer to anyone in a much gentler, more personal environment than New York could offer. 

That brought me to Cape Cod! I am thrilled to be here with my family, my loving boyfriend, and my little business. The path may have been unorthodox, but every step of my journey has contributed to the development of Practical Makeup, and I can’t wait to share it in this new and wonderful place.