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

Hi Raeven, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I simply wanted a makeup line, because I love makeup. It’s carried me through some rough times.

Working in makeup for over 10 years has allowed me to meet so many different people. I love connecting with others through beauty, and really wanted to share that passion. After working with several types of clients, I noticed that women of color especially don’t always receive the best advice when it comes to choosing the right makeup. Often times we are left with poor shade matches, needing multiple shades of something to accommodate, etc. I wanted to create something where we [women of color] can feel that quality makeup and makeup advice as well is totally for us too.

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.
My mission is to shake up the beauty world and add some spice to it! We still, even in 2021, need more culture. More flavor. More newness.

After the pandemic hit, beauty started to take even more of a downward spiral than it already was (i.e. influencer drama). My goal is to assist in reviving the industry. We want you to feel like your best self when you wear our products. We started out with just a few lash styles and have since expanded to glitters, tools, highlighters & more. It’s been very expensive, stressful, and SO much fun! Nothing I wouldn’t do over and over again.

Make way for Marie Kirk LA!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This probably sounds terrible but I love Hollywood. I love the tours, seeing where movies/shows are being filmed, nightlife, etc. It’s so sketchy yet so energizing. Maybe it’s the mix of all the spirits there.

I would definitely recommend visiting Santa Monica pier. Get some fun #OOTD and #beachbabe content. The area gives me so much life and is my favorite beach. We would totally experience the food, little shops along the boardwalk and admire that super cool Ferris wheel! 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?
Shout out to my Mom because if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here. Period.

Shout out to my girl Tikvah for always keeping me in check! For holding me accountable but not being rude (she’s an Aquarius ya’ll), giving me a space to just be myself and for always being there! Love ya sis!

Shout out to LA for being a bomb city full of mischief, opportunity and magic. Sometimes all in the same day.

Website: www.mariekirkla.com

Instagram: @raevenxmarie/@mariekirklosangeles

Youtube: Raeven Marie

Image Credits
Mirror image/Michael Garrett Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.