Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique James.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was always a fanatic of makeup, however, I also loved seeing girls of all ethnicities and ages embracing their natural beauty and flaunting their favorite lipstick, lip gloss, or mascara. Messy hair but gorgeous big lips, or maybe a pair of their favorite pair of shades and bold red lips. I love the minimal makeup look that shows how confident a woman is from within. I came up with the name “beauty a Dieu” back in 2014 which means beauty of God in French – the beauty that was given to us from our higher authority. Unfortunately, shortly after coming up with the name, I received negative feedback and criticism. I stopped pursuing the makeup industry and focused on my passion for dancing and teaching. In 2015, I got into a relationship and through it I never felt pretty enough, good enough, or worthy enough. I constantly covered myself not only with makeup but with lies to protect the low self-esteem I was feeling inside. After our horrible breakup, not once but twice, I literally came to a breaking point. I cried and cried and cried until I couldn’t cry anymore. I felt lifeless, until I finally snapped! I realized I had to fix myself from within, and love myself from within, and embrace myself from within. I was covering up my confidence and not acknowledging my undeniable worth. That night, I started my research on everything I needed to start my own makeup line. I can also now proudly walk around with no makeup, to face beat! I believe that every woman is beautiful with or without makeup. That’s why our tag line is “embracing your given beauty”!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
To this day, it has not been a smooth road. Making the product and finding the right manufacturer was the most difficult task. You want to make sure that what you’re putting out there is quality and everyone has your best interest at heart in building your brand. I even see my circle of friends changing. Which was hard to process at first, but over time you are building a BRAND! People will come and go in your life regardless and you will see yourself talking and acting differently. As mentioned before I received criticism starting out, especially for my perception on beauty. I still receive criticism to this day but the difference between now and then is that I will not stop! Everyday, I’m thinking about what to do with my brand. If I’m not posting, I’m working on my next move. There’s so much that goes into owning your own business and developing your own brand, but I wouldn’t change it for the world!
Please tell us about Beauty a Dieu.
Beauty a Dieu is a makeup line offering lip liners, lipsticks, and lip lacquers. It is online based only, but eventually will be featured in a couple of stores by this Summer 2018. The line will eventually offer more makeup products. I believe in customer service and ALWAYS putting the customer first. Even if the customer is only paying $5 for a product, they should still receive exceptional customer service. With our tag line, “embracing your given beauty”, I believe in emphasizing the importance of loving yourself and feeling confident in yourself!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I could start over again, I would have NEVER allowed negative criticism to stop me from pursuing my vision completely. I would have done bits and pieces to be where I am today. I still have lots to learn, and I am learning more and more everyday. My advice to others is to NEVER allow your vision to be tainted by someone else’s fear. At the end of the day, that’s all it is, is someone else expressing their fear of their failures on you.
Pricing:
- Waterproof Lip Liner – $15
- Vinyl Lip Lacquer – $17
- Matte Liquid Lipstick – $18
- Velvet Liquid Lipstick – $20
Contact Info:
- Website: Beautyadieu.com
- Email: contact@beautyadieu.com
- Instagram: @beautyadieu
- Facebook: Beauty a Dieu
- Twitter: @beautyadieu
Image Credit:
Buck Sanchez
Buckzcloset
Scott Royal
Antravian Carter
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
