ABOUT

MEET BETSEY

My love affair with beauty began in wobbly heels and clumpy lashes. When my sister was eighteen, she heard a rustling in her closet and found two years old me, standing in her high heels with a full face of make-up. I looked a bit frightful after helping myself to her makeup bag, but she says that everything was where it should've been: mascara on my lashes, blush on my cheeks, lipstick mostly on my lips.

This was not to say that was where my skill began. There weren't YouTube tutorials when I was first putting on bright blue eye shadow from my lash line to my eyebrows, so at first, it was a lot of trial and error…and then some more error. Occasionally my makeup looked so bad that even strangers felt compelled to tell me about it. Instead of dampening my enthusiasm, it just instilled a life-long need for education and information. That started with Kevin Aucoin's “Making Faces” and moved me from beauty counter to beauty counter listening to advisors tell me about new looks and products. My talent was gradually improving, but I never thought I'd be on the other side of the counter. While I was getting a facial at Chanel, I told the esthetician that I had always wanted to do what she was doing, so she suggested St. Paul College. Two weeks later I was sitting in class. It was there I met a fellow student who worked at MAC. She got me an interview, and I built my skillset from there.

One of the most important aspects of this is that knowing what you want and being willing to learn about it and try for it is what takes you to higher levels than just innate talent can provide. My mother was an artist, yes, and I knew the color wheel (and proper brush care) before I was in pre-school, but I never thought something I enjoyed so much that it didn’t seem like work could possibly be my vocation.

I love almost everything makeup, especially the transformative possibilities. I had horrible acne as a teenager and even into my twenties and makeup helped to disguise it. The level of discomfort of people looking at my acne, not me, inspired change. I went to dermatologists and tried everything, did everything, and finally figured out what secret sauce worked for me. But that level of commitment to my skin made me want to put that level of effort into helping others. I got my international Master Esthetician C.I.D.E.S.C.O. Certification and worked in Medical Spas assisting others in making a positive change for their skin.

Now, people tell me I'm magic. They say that I don't even actually apply makeup, I'm just waving my magic wand, fixing all their little problem areas, and bringing out their best self. But it's because I have put so much effort and dedication into finding myself and my style that I want to make sure no one else has to do that much to find theirs.

EXPERIENCE & CREDENTIALS

Betsey is a seasoned make-up artist of more than 13 years (including seven years as a MAC make-up artist and manager) who uses her experience with every skin tone/texture, age, and face/eye shape to make beauty accessible to everyone. However, not only does she have the experience of transforming thousands of different faces; she is also a C.I.D.E.S.C.O. Certified International Esthetician. So you can rest easy that every product is appropriate for you and your skin. This passion for beauty and skincare translates to her Bachelors in the Psychology of Beauty so your experience is never just skin deep. The mini beauty store she brings along to her appointments is designed to work with every age, skin tone, and type to address concerns and positively enhance your strengths.

THE KIT

Our kits contain an array of MAC, Pat McGrath, Charlotte Tillbury, Natasha Denona, Makeup Forever, Urban Decay, Smashbox, TooFaced, Lotus Lashes, Velour Lashes, as well as some backstage secret products. Every color and formula is available to create the look you want. Luminous Beauty also offers TEMPTU Airbrush products for that extra flawless finish.

AWARDS

Luminous Beauty is so excited to add The Knot Best of Weddings 2023 to our awards! All of these awards are based on our customer reviews. Thank you to everyone who took the time to write about your experience with Luminous Beauty!

Our Awards: The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame The Knot Best of Weddings 2023 The Knot Best of Weddings 2022 The Knot Best of Weddings 2021
The Knot Best of Weddings 2020
The Knot Best of Weddings 2019

The Knot Best of Weddings 2018

The Knot Best of Weddings 2017