Why I Still Choose This Work, 20 Years Later
In recognition of Pride Month, I am resharing Maddy’s story. I do not often share client experiences out of respect for the personal nature of their journeys, but I was genuinely honored when Maddy encouraged me to share her photos. More than that, her experience serves as a reminder, both to myself and to others, of why I continue to do this work.
Because, every so often, someone questions it.
Over the course of my career, I have encountered no shortage of dismissive comments about what I do. I’ve faced condescending remarks from clients’ family members, during job interviews with potential employers, accused of being superficial and shallow by an old “friend” who “found Jesus” later in life, and called a scam by highly professional men in positions of power. Some are framed as jokes, others as curiosity, and some as thinly veiled criticism. Regardless of delivery, the implication is the same: that makeup artistry is trivial, superficial, or somehow less legitimate than other professions.
The comments are often predictable:
“So you put a little makeup on some ladies? That’s cute.”
“Tell me about your management experience: did you organize some lipstick and manage teenager drama?” -followed by a chuckle
“People actually pay you to play dress up?”
“I can’t believe you charge money for some makeup.”
“So, what’s your actual job?”
“That’s a fun little hobby.”
“Did you have to go to school for that?”
There is an assumption embedded in these statements—that this work lacks substance, that it requires little skill, or that it exists purely at the surface level. What is often overlooked is that I am not here by accident. I am a college-educated woman with a master’s degree. I had other professional paths available to me, and I made a deliberate decision to continue with this one.
Nearly twenty years later, I continue to stand by that choice.
Not in spite of the criticism, but because of experiences like Maddy’s.
Maddy came to me with a clear, but understated goal. She wanted to feel pretty without feeling overdone. Dramatic makeup was not her preference, and makeup itself was completely new to her. Her intention was not transformation for the sake of appearance, but understanding how to present herself in a way that felt natural and aligned.
Our work together reflected that intention.
We focused on enhancing her features rather than masking them. Her blue eyes became a natural focal point. Each product and technique was chosen with purpose, not based on trends or external standards, but on what worked specifically for her features, her comfort level, and her goals. The process was thoughtful and individualized.
At the end of the lesson, she said something that has stayed with me:
“I will never forget the moment when I let my hair down and my face came together.”
It was a quiet observation, but a powerful one. It marked the moment where everything aligned, where what she saw in the mirror finally reflected how she wanted to feel.
This is the part of the work that is often misunderstood.
Makeup artistry, at its best, is not about surface-level change. It is not about covering or correcting for the sake of conformity. It is about understanding the individual and teaching them how to work with their own features—how to make intentional choices that support, rather than fight against, who they are.
In my work, I am not simply applying makeup. I am teaching. I am explaining why certain products fail for specific skin types, why certain tones enhance while others detract, and why techniques must be adapted to the individual rather than copied from a generalized standard. I am helping clients step out of a cycle of trial and error—of purchasing products that never quite work—and into a place of clarity and confidence.
The result is not just a finished look. It is knowledge they carry with them.
I am fully aware that I am not saving lives or making decisions that carry global consequence. I do not work in a field traditionally associated with prestige or authority, and I’m certainly not in an uber important role like corporate bro working in finance.
And yet, there is value in what I do.
There is value in helping someone feel comfortable in their own skin. There is value in creating a space where individuals—across identities, backgrounds, and levels of experience—can explore how they present themselves without judgment. There is value in the confidence that comes from understanding what works for you, and why.
Maddy’s experience is not every appointment, but it is a meaningful representation of my why.
After twenty years in this industry, the comments no longer surprise me. They also don’t define the work.
Because every so often, someone sits in my chair and walks away with more than they expected-not just a refined appearance, but a deeper sense of self and understanding.
And in those moments, the value of this work becomes undeniable.
It is, and has always been, why I chose this profession.
Valerie Hammer is an inclusive makeup artist with 20 years of experience, based in Silver Spring, MD and serving the DC-DMV region. She specializes in photo-ready makeup applications and offers customized lessons for all ages, genders, and skin types, including mature skin and gender-affirming makeup techniques.
