Meet Trailblazer Kai Kumalae

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kai Kumalae.

Kai, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I work as a freelance professional Makeup & Brow Artist. I sort of stumbled into this career- as I started working at Ulta in 2011 just as a part-time job. Considering this was before makeup artistry had blown up on social media (pre-Instagram), I utilized YouTube mostly to self-train in artistry. I eventually moved on to work for and receive training from Nordstrom Cosmetics – Lancôme & Kiehl’s, Bobbi Brown, & MAC. I also completed Bobbi Brown’s Makeup Artistry Program at Emerson’s College as well as 2 certifications from Celebrity Makeup Artist, Mario Dedivanovic after taking his masterclasses. During my 6 years as a retail artist, I gained set experience on test shoots building my portfolio… as well as backstage experience as a runway makeup artist, working for Styleweek as both a team artist and ultimately a lead artist during my last season. My first live television Makeup Demo was on The Rhode Show, showcasing Styleweek trends & I was also able to network and link up with the best local photographers & designers during this time as well. My experience in runway makeup strengthened my skill set and time management while giving me a creative outlet that retail didn’t quite satisfy.

During this time, I also started my own YouTube channel, giving me another creative outlet in addition to some compensation as I built a following of over 23,000 subscribers. After leaving retail, I spent two seasons working for an on-location Bridal Hair & Makeup team, realizing bridal work has become the most rewarding aspect of my career to date. I’ve now finally established myself and have spent this current bridal season as a completely independent and rather successful bridal artist, adding Brow sculpting & shaping to my menu of services as well. Though I’ve slowed down on my YouTube content in recent years as clientele has become a priority, I still make efforts to keep up social media wise – as I’ve partnered with modern makeup brand Trestique, creating content to help them promote their amazing products. I suppose I always seem to make time for a creative outlet no matter where I’m at in my career path, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The bumpy road that represents my career path has not been a smooth one by any means! In the industry, we call non-paid work TFP (trade for portfolio), and every artist has to sacrifice tons of time, product, and money doing strictly this type of work at the beginning of their careers to establish themselves and their skill set. I have spent so many nights in tears on the floor with my near-empty kit, after having received no payment nor credit for any of the hard work that depleted both my kit and myself. Long shoot days with no food, hours of bridal party/runway makeup with no time for restroom breaks or even sipping water, & spending hours refilming content that wasn’t perfect the first time around are just some of the less glamorous aspects of being a makeup artist that I still encounter regularly. Also jealousy, egotistical entitlement & cattiness are as prevalent in the beauty industry as any other, so challenges will always be presented in that aspect as well. My best advice for young artists starting their journey would be to work hard, be kind, and know your worth. Spend time pounding the pavement, doing free work and establishing yourself, but know your worth and stick to the rates you deserve when it’s called for too. Be genuinely kind – Bobbi Brown always said that she was often invited back to shoots at the beginning of her career not because she was the most skilled but because she was pleasant to work with. Challenge yourself, try different types of artistry (bridal, runway, retail) & find what sets your soul on fire. Listen to your gut, run towards what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Beauty By Kai Kumalae – what should we know?
I identify as a bridal makeup artist who specializes in natural, glowy makeup that never feels too overdone. I’d say I’m known for making my clients feel like the most polished, beautiful versions of themselves. I think that’s what sets me apart as a brand, as most brides want to look in the mirror on their wedding day and although want to feel glammed up, also that they still look like themselves & not caked or masked in makeup. I’m also very proud to call myself a brow artist as well, with a preferred style of natural & fluffy, yet sculpted brows. I’m overall very proud of my work in bridal, brows, runway, retail & social media content, but I would have to say I am most proud of my professionalism. I’ve met and worked with many self-proclaimed professionals who display quite unprofessional tactics and behaviors. Makeup can be light-hearted and fun, but it’s important to never forget you are at work, and your paying client is the most important person in the room.

Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Unfortunately, I lost my mom when I was 15 to cancer & it matured me at a faster rate than most. One of her last wishes for me was that I reach my full potential, something that she felt she hadn’t done in her lifetime. That one wish is my driving force to this day. I was also incredibly fortunate to have my Aunt, as my transition back to a semblance of a normal life would have been near impossible without her after losing my mom. She has always pushed me to be the best version of myself and has supported my every move and decision. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am nor the woman I am today.

Contact Info:

• Email: kaikumalae@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/kaikumalae
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeautyByKaiKumalae
• Other: www.youtube.com/user/retropants11

Image Credit:
Cat Laine, Victoria Hathaway, Jennifer Neves, Daniel Garriga (photo was the first one used in the feature)

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