Me, silly! The blonde behind Megan Oliveri Artistry. While I was brainstorming what I should talk about this week, I couldn't help but think about how some people might not even know who is writing this behind their screen! So let's learn a little about me.
Who am I?
I am a 5'5" blonde girl full of smiles and giggles! I know that sounds crazy, but I really love to laugh a lot. I was born and raised on Long Island. If you don't know where that is, it's the same place that the Long Island Medium is from, New York!
I moved here to beautiful NC almost 3 years ago now and man has time flown by. I am a different person than who I was at 19 when I was still living in my home town. I am by no means done growing and learning, but I've learned a lot in the past 3 years of my life. Maybe there will be a future blog post about lessons I've learned in my 22 years of living?!
My education.
Even before I graduated high school in 2014, I knew that I wanted to attend Makeup School. I researched and researched and landed on Makeup Designory in NYC and almost immediately fell in love. My parents and I went on a tour and signed our names on the dotted line and I started makeup school in the fall of 2014. Can you believe that my junior year of high school I took a business class and thought that I wanted to go to business school? Looking back I laugh at that choice because how funny! To be honest, I never would have survived Business School, but I ended up owning my own business! Go figure?!
At Makeup Designory, I took the full 6 month program which included, beauty makeup, hair styling, a business course and special effects application and fabrication. I have nothing but fond memories from going to school, I recommend this to anyone that has the means!! It was the perfect way to get the education I wanted to feel like a professional whilst also making friends and feeling connected within the beauty industry.
Why I chose the beauty industry.
The beauty industry can be rough. You work long hours, often times standing on your feet with little to no food breaks. I'm sure many people don't think of it like this but makeup is an absolute ART. Which means that it can take a whole lot out of you day to day. You are constantly creating new looks, testing out new products and expanding your knowledge on this skill set that we posses. Artists don't come out of the womb being great, they have to work towards it!!
BUT, with all of that being said, there are so many beautiful parts about my job. There is nothing quite like the feeling of seeing someone look in the mirror for the first time after their hair and makeup is done. It seriously makes my heart smile! Being able to make a woman feel beautiful in a society that constantly tears us down, is so dang cool.
I have always been an artist. I was the kindergartner drawing and coloring all day long, this only got more intense as I got older! I always had a creative bone and knew that I wanted to do something with it as a career at some point. I'd love to find some of my drawings from when I was younger to share with y'all!!
You know what's also really amazing? Because I landed in the bridal world, I get to be with these brides on one of the best days of their lives. Wedding days can be filled with so much joy and happiness. Think mimosas, giggles and brunch. I know, it sounds amazing because it is!
I can't help but also mention that being able to try out a heap of different products for work is a great perk. I love playing around with new hairsprays and lipsticks and powders!! AGH!
My life outside of work.
Well, to be honest, I work A LOT! I seriously love what I do for a living. It gives me a lot of joy to be able to be a full-time makeup artist. So I try to do it as often as I can! But, when I am not behind the brushes, I love lots of things!
I am totally a sit at home and drink some wine and eat some cheese kinda gal. Don't get me wrong though, you give me a jack and coke and I'll be on the dance floor in two-seconds flat (You don't want to test this out.)
If I could travel the world full-time I probably would. I am my most happy when I am in a car, on a plane or on a boat. I love adventure, I just love going places and trying new things! My favorite trip that I've taken so far is the 3 week long road trip that my boyfriend Victor and I took a while back. We were 4 months into dating and packed up my car and left. We slept in my car in Walmart parking lots, in tents in National Parks and in a fancy hotel in Chicago. We made memories that we will seriously never forget, even if it was crazy at times!!
If I can't travel because well, travel is hella expensive... I love to go on short day trips! This is why living on Lake Norman in North Carolina is pretty amazing. We are about 2 hours from the mountains and about 4 hours from the beach, right in the middle! Hiking is one of my favorite things to do on an off day. Packing a pb&j and hitting the open trails. You'd be surprised what kind of views you can get from a 2 mile hike.
Thank you!
Well, thank you for reading! It was fun getting to share more about my life and what makes me, me. I'm excited for future blog posts to dive deeper into this! I can't wait to get to know you!!
XOXO
Megan
