Meet Dara Jones | Makeup Artist, Beauty Expert & Influencer

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

Hi Dara, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am from the East Side of Detroit Michigan. My background and upbringing has had such a huge impact on who I am today because while Detroit taught me to hustle, my mother showed me how to be creative and expand. Experience taught me to never settle and through my relationship with God, I understood the importance of patience, kindness and love.

Today, I am a woman that has embraced the best of my rearing and I fully accept and embody those qualities that has made such an impact on me.

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.
I am a self-taught Professional Makeup Artist, beauty expert and influencer. I model, but most importantly I am a wife and mother. I also serve as a Minister for my Church and Coordinator for our Women’s Ministry, GLOW (God Leading Our Women).

My fascination for makeup artistry began as a pre-teen, when I used to admire my mother dress for work. First eyebrows, next eyeshadow, then rouge (blush) and eye liner. I would watch in amazement and awe at her subtle transformation. She certainly got it honest, my grandmother was the exact same! She would tell us, “never leave the house unkempt!” That grew into an undeniable passion that I just love to share!

I offer professional makeup artistry services, beauty tips, personal and professional styling. Aside from the pure joy that I get from just talking and sharing with my clients while transforming their beauty, I’m excited that have the esteemed honor to work closely with some of Arizona’s incredible residents, awesome politicians, talented photographers, designers and runway models.

I am driven by my desire to assist women find their inner beauty first! Just like the quote by Kate Angell “Outer Beauty attracts, but inner beauty captivates.” It is gratifying to watch the confidence build instantly and the smile get brighter from beginning to end. I am constantly evolving in my craft by achieving ideas through continued education and watching and learning from my peers.

I cannot let on that it’s been a rough journey or hard in any way. I believe that “what’s for me, is for me”. I’ve learned to lean on direction from God and accept the assistance that he gives me. I’ve also learned that experience is a great teacher!

I want the world to know that, literally ANYTHING is possible. Don’t stop dreaming, keep pressing toward the mark!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my BFF was visiting me, I would have mapped out every detail of her trip! Since my BFF loves good food and a great time, we’d probably hit all the great vibed out brunch spots: Sugar Jam, Hash Kitchen, Brunch’n Sip, Eggstacy. I’d love to show her Sedona and all it’s beauty. We’d probably go to the Aquarium and a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon too. Definitely taking plenty of naps because she likes her sleep. Dinner and drinks would be at Culinary Dropout, Imad, Sandbar and if she was feeling up to it to get fancy, I’d take her to Maple and Ash and DC Steakhouse.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to SHOUTOUT a few people for their efforts and encouragement. First and foremost I thank God for giving me purpose and undeserving love. I want to thank my husband for his resolute love and effortless support. In so many ways he has broadened my scope and aided in my ability to just dream. He’s an incredible motivator and drives me to aspire for more out of life.

I’d like to thank my mother for being the quintessence of my impressionable youth. Always showing me the best of life and wanting me to strive to be better than her.

I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize my close family and circle of friends. I couldn’t have prayed to God for a better village. The mutual respect, love, effort and appreciation is unmatched.

I certainly wouldn’t be Dara the Doll without them!

Website: www.BeautyByDara.com

Instagram: BeautyxDara

Facebook: Dara.Jones.33

Image Credits
Stanley Jones Sue Bryce Kayleigh D’Arezzo