Today, we’d like to introduce you to Camille Roark. Camille was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Lenworth Johnson.
Camille, thank you so much for joining us today. We’d love for you to bring our readers up to speed – can you introduce yourself and share your story?
I was a late bloomer! I always say there’s two types of makeup artists, the “makeup enthusiast” and then there’s the “art kid”. I was definitely the latter of the two. I’ve always enjoyed creating art and using it as an outlet, but I am infamously AWKWARD. That being said, I’m a tomboy at heart and hadn’t even entertained wearing makeup myself until well into my 20’s. Even then, if there was an event I needed to spruce up for, I’d head just head on over to the Mac counter and let their very capable artists take care of me. That is, until I needed to attend a Gala and they COULDN’T TAKE ME 😩🤦🏾♀️. I was devastated and while I was scrambling for solutions, a friend of mine texted, “I don’t know why you’re stressing, you paint faces ALL DAY (I was a literal kid’s face painter) SURELY, you can paint your own face…” I needed that pep talk to get me focused, and that’s where things began. That afternoon I watched some video tutorials to guide me thru the process and that evening my makeup was an even bigger hit than the dress! I found myself practicing more and more during my free time in the evenings and soon, I had several people asking ME to do THEIR makeup. Spolier alert: things did not go well in the beginning. I’d do their makeup, but I quickly realized, rather than looking like an enhanced version of themselves, they looked more like a generic version of me🤔. It was then, I began to understand that I was doing everyone’s makeup as I would my own, not taking into consideration that everyone has different face shapes and eye shapes, skin types and skintones. I figured given all of that, it was time to expand my knowledge, so I became a sponge, soaking up everything any of my resources had to offer, which eventually led me to my mentor, Mya James, owner of the international beauty school, Modern Makeup Society.
Please tell us more about your brand, C.RoArk Distinction
As a makeup artist, I help models and photographers prepare for shoots, and everyday people look and FEEL like models. I’m all about GOOD VIBES and inclusivity, haters are not welcome here. ✋🏽 I’m that good, good, girlfriend that’s always there to listen and support you. I help you put your best face forward. Imagine the girl next door that you’ve known forever, you two have grown up together, and this is another occasion in which she’s stopped by to help you prepare for your big event. Whether it’s date night and you’re super nervous, and you need your Sis’s help in making sure you look PHENOMENAL, or you’re ready to make a career change and you need a light beat for your headshots…That guy you told me about a few months ago when you sat down to get your makeup done for your first date? He PROPOSED and now you need my help finding the perfect wedding look. 🤩 I’m here through all of that, and I consider it a blessing to have grown up alongside some pretty amazing clients that become friends, and eventually family. I’m even more fascinated by the relationships in which I started doing a client’s makeup for pictures and such, yet they came back for their baby shower pics, and then, as time went by, I ended doing THEIR DAUGHTERs makeup for their 8th grade prom, every homecoming, graduation, special occasion and then eventually, their own maternity photos. Every interaction I have with my clients is rooted in a general interest and fondness in them. They are not customers I’m seeking to get rich of off. I’m already so full on their love, loyalty, and friendship.
So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Lenworth Johnson and LenworthJohnson Photography and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with LenworthJohnson Photography.
I first met Lenworth thru one of my FAVORITE up and coming super models. The model reached out to me, explained her concept, and asked if I would be willing to help her achieve the desired look. She showed me his work and I was already a fan. I explained that I’d been following him for awhile now and would be honored to collaborate. So they set up the shoot details and as soon as we met, we all just…clicked! They totally embraced my quirkiness and overall it was a really lighthearted atmosphere. We created some amazing content that day, but not one minute of it felt like WORK.
When the shoot was over, Lenworth mentioned he had so many creative ideas he’d been wanting execute, but couldn’t seem to find a reliable MUA. That, was the beginning of one of the most fulfilling partnerships I’ve ever had. We’ve joked, collaborated, seriously debated, deliberated, and taken literal gambles on SO MANY concepts in the last year and a half. I’m always wondering what he’ll come up with next, he still manages to surprise me on regular basis. That’s why I call him 007. He is truly an international man of mystery—Trust me on this, Sis!! 😂
Website: www.seeroark.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/Camille_Roark
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoarkMUA/
Image Credits:
Fotosbyben StoriesWithTori.Boudoir GaryHufham Tsion Bekele Christie Goldstein NineTwelvePhotography LongTall_Sallie Lela Dang Lenworth Johnson Savannah Martinez Laura Nicoleta Shanterica Smith
