Life & Work with Dee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dee. She shares her story with us below:

Decorated Seahorse Artistry was founded by Dee, who in 2003, began working in the beauty industry as Manager of three Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios. While there, she specialized in bridal and special occasion makeup. She joined the Bella Faccia LLC team in 2011, where she was specially trained in airbrush makeup application. While working for both Merle Norman and Bella Faccia, her work was published in Augusta Magazine, Columbia County Magazine, Augusta Brides, and Occasions Magazine. She also worked as a makeup artist on-set for Dateline NBC. Dee truly enjoys her work and wanted to continue her passion for makeup artistry when she moved from Augusta, Georgia to Nassau County, FL. In 2021, with over 15 years of experience, she opened Decorated Seahorse Artistry to provide on-location professional airbrush makeup for Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, The Beaches, St. Augustine, all of Florida’s First Coast, and South Georgia. Dee specializes in professional airbrush makeup for brides, weddings, senior portraits, and maternity photos.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have had to do makeup on clients in challenging settings, including but not limited to rustic settIngs, small staging areas or buildings with poor lighting, and some with little amenities. Every client’s event is unique, and therefore challenges are bound to follow. Preparation and experience have been the keys to smooth results! I have a policy of arriving at least 30-45 minutes early to a venue to not only scout the best location for setting up and lighting, but to also adapt to some of those unforeseen challenges. I pack a portable table, lights, extension cords, power strips, and a comfortable chair just in case any or all of them are needed. Everything except a small generator, which I am seriously considering now that I have moved to Florida (haha…).

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Decorated Seahorse Artistry, we use professional airbrush makeup. The airbrush foundation is custom mixed to achieve the best match possible for each individual client. The formula doesn’t settle into fine lines or pores and can easily hide imperfections, tan lines, and tattoos. It’s transfer-proof, water-resistant and humidity proof making it perfect for weddings, beach photo sessions, and bridal portraits. Every product in my makeup kit has been personally tested for color payoff, and durability, and to ensure that flashback is not created in photos. Creating a flawless makeup look that matches my client’s personal style, wedding dress, and colors, or outfit for family photos is so important to me.

What makes me happy?
When it comes to my work, happiness is being able to make others feel special on their day. There is nothing that brings me more joy than to help someone feel more self-confident and beautiful on their wedding day, graduation milestone, or for maternity celebration. Witnessing the positive reactions when they see their makeup in the mirror for the first time, getting tagged in selfies on social media, or having a client or their family excitedly share their photos; simply brings joy. I feel that I have a very rewarding job. I am not just there to provide my artistry services. I usually get to know my clients before their event, not just so that I can create the makeup look that they desire, but to also be a source of calm and positive energy for them on the day of their event. That way they have one less thing to worry about when they are sitting in my chair, which refocuses them on enjoying their special day!

Contact Info:

• Email: dee@decoratedseahorse.com
• Website: www.decoratedseahorseartistry.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/decoratedseahorseartistry

Image Credits
Dee