Celebrating Eight Years of Creative Contour By Carla!

Hey beauties! Welcome back to Creative Contour By Carla ®! Today is a very special day here at Creative Contour By Carla, LLC.! We are celebrating our 8th anniversary! I truly cannot believe it! We have come so far at CCBC, and are going to really cool places! But first, let's talk about how we got here.

It is with immense gratitude that I look back on my makeup artistry journey. It all started in childhood, when I was playing with my mom's old makeup from the eighties (hello my fellow 90s babies). She at some point decided to start buying me children's makeup kits for Christmas and birthdays, and yes, I actually wore them! A little bit of cringe and creativity for sure. She didn't realize it then, but she was helping me foster a love of all things related to makeup.

Baby Carla would be marvelling at this spread!

It was in middle school that I learned Makeup Artist was a real career. I learned of Bobbi Brown, her fame, and her beautiful makeup line. I was so inspired by the concept itself of becoming a makeup artist. I'd always said it would happen. Who would have thought that about a decade later, I would become that very thing I dreamed of as a child.

So how did I get there?

Well, much like other parts of my life, I took the long route. I listened to my family and went to college, only to withdraw after 2 years of school. I knew it wasn't the right fit for me. I learned that to become a makeup artist in my state of Massachusetts, it was recommended to become a licensed esthetician. I found a local school, took the tour, and enrolled in the program that day. I was 20 years old. I knew I was making the right decision, whether or not everyone around me understood it.

It was a quick six months, but before I knew it, I passed my state board exam, and was a licensed esthetician. I admit that the knowledge is very helpful in my career currently. However, I always recommend seeing a licensed, practicing esthetician for any skincare concerns, as they can do a proper full skin analysis and help you navigate your concerns.

I admit that when I initially started esthetics school, I didn't know a single thing about applying makeup. I learned the hard way how to apply makeup on others. I cried after every single makeup class for the duration of my schooling. Literally. It was so hard. I was ready to give up, thinking I just couldn't do it. One day, I just did it. I don't know how, but I just got one of the concepts that we learned in class. (I really do always learn the hard way, LOL!) That was the inspiration I needed to keep going. When we graduated, I wasn't perfect, but I knew I was going to be a makeup artist. At the ripe age of 21 years old, I was solid in my life's dream!

who'd have thought this would one day come true!

Can you believe that, beauties? At age 21, I knew what I wanted in my life. I thought I was so far behind everyone else. Turns out, I was further ahead mentally than I realized, looking back. I had made a lot of plans om how to get to becoming a makeup artist, and every single one of them backfired. Yup, every single one. I'd made numerous 5 and 10 year plans. Not a single one worked out. So, two years later I ended up going back to finish my college degree, thinking my life was basically over.

In reality, it was just beginning.

I had applied to assist numerous makeup artists in the area. One person finally replied back stating she was looking for assistants. I emailed her eagerly expressing I was willing to learn. Her response was a detailed email with strict rules, all to which I could easily adhere. I responded almost instantly stating I could handle the demand and accomplish her strict rules, and that I was ready to start. Guess what? She ghosted me. I thought once again that my life was over.

Shortly afterwards, I found another makeup artist who referred me to her peer who was always hiring assistants, and then the real journey began! I owe her so much, and have always been gracious of her. She saw my ambition and took me on. After 2 years of assisting, I started asking for my own jobs, and was met with a lot of resistance. At the time, I didn't understand it, but I was being prepared to get out there on my own.

Finally, in May 2017, while working a dead end retail job, I attended a makeup artistry trade show in New York City. I met so many wonderful people, and I felt like I fit right in! Everyone was a makeup artist, working full time, with plenty of work, advice, and welcoming energy. I couldn't believe it! I left that tradeshow knowing that I would start my own business one day. I didn't know that business would start a few months later.

Photo captured by Ella Farrell of my work and concept of a cotton candy inspired photoshoot!

I admit that owning a business is a rollercoaster, especially for those of us who are sensitive and feel a lot of big emotions. It can be hard to separate your emotions during hard times. BUT, when you are ambitious, there is no limit to where you'll go to get what you want. I'm inspiring and reminding myself of this very concept right now as I type out this blog post. It is so important to me to remind all of us that things we love have up and down sides, but we know that they are meant for us because they are on our hearts. And that very dream to become a makeup artist is always on my heart. Even this year when I was so mentally and physically burnt out, I didn't stop being a makeup artist. We always have to remind ourselves and have gratitude for getting to places we once dreamed of.

So back to my story: The first three years in business were difficult, but then I found a little bit of flow! Then the covid19 pandemic hit me like a ton of bricks. I learned quickly during that time that I knew how to adapt, and eventually made it out successfully, even though I didn't know it at the time. I, a makeup artist, survived a worldwide pandemic, and still had regular customers, and new customers, wanting to hire me for their events, and daily makeup routines. I am so grateful.

Once the pandemic settled a bit around 2022, I noticed personally I needed to heal a lot of things personally. That has taken me from 2023 to our current day here in 2025. It's a lot of work, but it helped me get really clear on the places, things, and people I wanted.

It helped me cultivate and grow my business in ways that don't normally signal growth in that moment in time. (Story of my life apparently.) It helped me grow the business side of my business, by having time to the paperwork and research necessary to own an actual company, not just moonlight as a makeup artist! I declared and was approved for our LLC. And a year later in late 2024, we won out trademark, Creative Contour By Carla ®. These were all necessary steps! I am so grateful, as I reflect.

So where are we going from here?

Great question! We have gotten so clear on the beauties we want to help: Speakers, Small Business Owners, those attending special events such as galas; and those of you who want to look great daily with the proper techniques via makeup classes and personal makeup shopping; and of course the best of the best: live makeup demonstrations! You'll be seeing a lot more of this as we go into 2026!

Stay tuned!!!

If you are ready to reserve me for any of my Makeup Experiences, please contact me directly: inquiries@creativecontourbycarla.com. Please include a direct subject line with the service type and date needed, and provide as much information in the body as possible. I appreciate all of my beauties!!

Lots of love, lipstick, and many more anniversaries,

Carla

gratitude for all of you!