Meet Candi Benton | Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Candi Benton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Candi, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
In a time where a pandemic not only crippled our social lives but our bank accounts as well, I truly learned the essence of my career. I was able to support 4 children academically and financially. The most important thing I’ve done for my 4 children is teaching them survival skills, different avenues for generational wealth ,along with the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Makeup to me is not only eye shadows and foundation but a way of life. Makeup is how we as women express our true inner selves and who we aspire to be. You’ve heard the saying “When a person looks good they feel good.” In addition, they gain unforeseen confidence to conquer just about anything. I like to believe when I’m servicing a client I give them the whole experience. Being a Makeup Artist, you’re not only required to just glam but often listen and counsel. What sets me apart from others is my natural ability to empathize and bring their vision to life. I take pride in not just masking clients in makeup but rather taking time to accentuate their natural features they already have. When a client leaves me, I want them to still feel true to themselves and not only beautiful on the outside but understand true beauty comes from within. Growing up as an only child in a very strict and religious home, I wasn’t allowed to express myself. Unlike most of my peers, I wasn’t apart of any organizations or extra curricular activities which made me not only lack confidence but experience a lot of self doubt. Even though that seemed to be unfair ,I eventually began to experiment in my teenage and early adult years. Friends would let me do their brows and simple eye shadow looks for parties and events. Surprisingly they loved it. For the first time, I began to gain a small amount of confidence in someone thinking my art was good enough. At the time, I had no desire to make it an actual career though. Later in life I began to get more intrigued with the art and actual techniques of achieving a full face glam. I started looking up YouTube videos and educating myself as much as I could. I even found a girl whose skin tone was very similar to myself and I went and bought every product that was used in her video. I began to practice every day. I practiced so much that if i did a full glam and wasn’t satisfied I would completely wipe it off and start over. In the beginning, I would receive very little compliments but nonetheless I never gave up. Once I felt I was ready I started posting on social media that I was an “Makeup Artist in Training”. The amount of support I received was magnificent! At this time, I was a full-time mother of 4, and wasn’t able to get proper schooling like I had hoped. Even today I’m super proud I never gave up and most people have no idea I’m completely self taught. Now taking things more seriously, I had a certain goal of the caliber of makeup that I wanted to be responsible for. After about a year I took my first paying client, and over the years the amount of old and new clients I receive is continuing to grow. For anyone aspiring to live out their dreams and reach their full potential my advice is never give up and remember practice makes perfect! My favorite quote is “good, better, best never let it rest until your good is better, and your better is best!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In my free time I’m honestly a homebody but when I step out I can be the life of the party too. I really don’t go many places, and when I do I usually become a regular there. I would first take them to the Breakfast Klub to get the famous chicken and waffles. You must get there early because its usually a super long line, and they’re only open until 2pm. Located in Houston’s Midtown. Next we would go to the Galleria aka. “The Gallo’ for a little retail therapy. Its one of the largest malls in the state with 4 floors and over 350 stores, and lots of options for food and entertainment. If it’s around the holiday season they even have a 55 ft. tree that has over 450,000 beautiful lights with an ice skating rink inside too. If you’re a seafood lover like myself, one of my favorite places to get my fix would definitely be Krab Kingz. They’re located on the North Side of Houston, and have the juiciest shrimp and crab legs ever. Unlike other seafood restaurants in the city they give you a seasoned boiled egg on the side. Looking for entertainment in the day and night I definitely would recommend going to Prospect Park located in Willowbrook, Tx. Prospect Park is kind of like a day club lounge with good music, food, hookah, and drinks. During the day your kids are allowed to attend and after a certain hour it turns into the hangout spot for many adults. Whenever I go I have to get their boudain balls which are a little pricey but definitely worth every penny. Additionally, they have REALLY big drinks that you and a few friends could even share!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First I want to thank God for the natural talent and ability to passionately do what I love. Secondly I’m so thankful and grateful to be blessed with such an amazing husband that saw things in me I didn’t even see in myself. He helped me unlock gifts I only saw as hobbies. I’m forever grateful for his counsel and positive reinforcement. I can’t forget my beautiful 4 children who kept me inspired by always finding different looks for me to recreate, showing their friends and classmates my artwork and a lot of times offering there unwarranted opinions which made me grow better and better. Also I want to give thanks to a beauty brand The Luxury Club Beauty that not only gave me my first feature on their page, but offered positive quotes to aspiring makeup artists today. They gave me a chance when it seemed like I was stagnant in my career and for that I’m forever grateful. Lastly, I’m nothing without my beautiful clients that continue to support, and challenge me to new levels. I appreciate all the honesty you’ve given me over the years. Equally important, the confidence we receive from one another has been phenomenal! It has been an amazing journey to say the least!

Website: https://candisbenton07.wixsite.com/candipaintedfacez

Instagram: @candi_painted_facez

Facebook: Candipaintedfacez