Meet Darian Elyse | Brow Artist & Trainer

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

Hi Darian Elyse, how do you think about risk?
Risks are the only way to learn & grow. And when it comes to business, you may have to spend some money in order to make money! I always made profit because I was determined. I didn’t have any guidance, I didn’t have any tips and tricks. I took risks! I took a risk investing in poor quality Ombre Brow training, low grade brow kits, renting studios from bad salon owners, but kept going, I didn’t let it discourage me. I feel that I even took a risk by trying to put myself out there with the intent to connect with other brow artists, but it just wasn’t reciprocated. A lot of people in the beauty industry refuse to help you, but I kept going. I knew I would come across people that were for me and that people would gravitate towards me because of my character and personality. Taking risks helped my business grow which funded vacations, relocating, a new car, a new apartment, and so much more! I think long term when I think of risks.

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.
Im a Permanent Makeup Artist (PMUA), which is a form of cosmetic tattooing. I specialize in Ombre Brows, I also do Lip Blush, Lip Neutralization, Tiny Tattoos & Freckles. Some hear “brow tattoo” and think it looks unnatural. It gives the illusion that you have makeup on without being over dramatic, and therefore looks pretty natural! Some also hear Lip Neutralization and think “what is that?” It a process of neutralizing dark tones in the lips (hyperpigmentation) using permanent makeup methods. Permanent makeup, or cosmetic tattooing, is done with a hand-held, automatic machine to insert pigment/ink into the epidermis, therefore it is meant to fade. Im most proud for learning this on my own, despite the waste of money towards poor quality training, low grade brow kits, and discouraging people that used to be around me. I’m also proud that I have made enough to not have to work while I’m in an Accelerated BSN program! And Im also extremely proud that I can do my craft anywhere and teach others while also providing them the support I wish I had when I first started! It was not easy to get where I’m at now, but the journey taught me to appreciate the obstacles I faced. It wasn’t easy to get where Im at now! I was raised to go to college and get a full time job, despite it being low paying and miserable. Im grateful for that journey because it did confirm what I knew already: I want to be a nurse and also invest in my craft, and I can do it all! I don’t have to limit myself, which is what others were doing and I was allowing it. People would tell me I was doing “too much” (as in working full time, having a small business, going back to school), but those people weren’t doing enough in my opinion. They did not have a life that I wish I had for myself, so I knew I couldn’t take advice from them. it was definitely a challenge to get away from those people or at least decipher between who and what I wanted to listen to. Working full-time at the hospital, I met some amazing people (doctors and nurses) who supported everything I was doing, and I actually admired the lives they created for themselves. I learned, I can’t please everyone and I wasn’t put on this world to simply work a 9 to 5, pay bills and die. I need more. I wish I would’ve spent my early twenties trying new hobbies and taking risks, but I can’t dwell on the past. I’ve learned to genuinely enjoy the journey no matter what it is. I’m enjoying the journey of constantly growing my business. I’m enjoying the journey of Nursing School. I’m enjoying the journey of learning how to increase my brow eBook sales. And I want the world to know that being a permanent makeup artist isn’t a silly hobby, it actually boosts the confidence of women! I’ve had clients who are cancer survivors, who have alopecia, who have been in car accidents and have scars over their brows due to surgery, and my craft really makes a difference. Seeing my clients leave happy and training students to be educated brow artists is what makes it worth it!

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.
I’m a beach person, and so are most of my friends, so we are definitely hitting Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica Beach and Laguna Beach! I love the whole menu at 26Beach, literally brunch, dinner, and drinks so we are definitely going there! I know its probably cliche but Lock&Key has been a fave for a long time and their cocktails are really good! Esperanza in Manhattan Beach is another fav for dinner and drinks! Still to this day, I wish 31Ten was still open because we would be there! But we might hit up Penthouse since I used to bartend there and our club friend group that links every now and then always has a good time, despite people just standing around! We would also hit a spa, keep it simple and just go to a Burke Williams. Maybe Pottery in Culver City at Bitter Root! A pasta making class in Downtown LA and Wally’s in Santa Monica!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My sister. No matter what business venture or career I spoke about, she listened and supported me. My sister has helped me put furniture together for my studios, listens to me complain, lets me practice on her, plays my secretary when I’m overwhelmed. She was the only one that would be happy for me no matter what it was. I also love Sylvester McNutt III’s book “A Path to Deep Healing.” I believe healing not only plays a role in your personal life, but it plays a role in your business and this book is one of my favorites. Since I’ve already read it, whenever I need a breather, I’ll open it to a random page and start reading. It has definitely aided in my personal , and business , journey.

Website: www.EssentialsByElyse.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/EssentialsByElyse

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EssentialsByElyse

Other: TikTok: @EssentialsByElyse