ESTHETICIANS TO KNOW: TIARA WILLIS
TIARA WILLIS
Tiara Willis is a New York based licensed esthetician and makeup artist and founder of Makeup For WOC. Tiara’s expertise particularly focuses on skincare based on extensive research and science. Her work empowers women of color to approach their beauty and skincare routines in a way that is safe, healthy, and thoughtful.
SHEER: Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you're from.
TIARA WILLIS: I’m 19 years old and I’m from Westchester County, New York. I’m a licensed esthetician and makeup artist. I launched Makeup For WOC in 2015, at 14 years old.
SHEER: What would you say was the first definitive moment that called you to become a makeup artist and esthetician? Was it a natural start or specific instance that opened the door for you?
TW: I grew up in the age of Youtube and was always obsessed with makeup tutorials. At the time, makeup for women of color wasn’t as accessible as it is today. I wanted to learn so I constantly read different blogs and watched as many tutorials as possible. Everyday after school I went home and practiced my makeup.
SHEER: What are some of the biggest skincare myths, especially for women of deeper complexions, that you are working to address and correct?
TW: One of the biggest skincare myths is that skin of color doesn’t need sunscreen. While black people are less likely to develop skin cancer, we are very prone to hyperpigmentation. UV rays trigger melanin stimulating hormones from the brain and induce melanogenesis. Sunscreen is the most important treatment for hyperpigmentation. UV rays also contribute to 80% of extrinsic aging.
“One of the biggest skincare myths is that skin of color doesn’t need sunscreen. While black people are less likely to develop skin cancer, we are very prone to hyperpigmentation. UV rays trigger melanin stimulating hormones from the brain and induce melanogenesis. Sunscreen is the most important treatment for hyperpigmentation. UV rays also contribute to 80% of extrinsic aging.”
SHEER: What are the top ingredients and chemicals that women should avoid when shopping for skincare and makeup products?
TW: For the most part, you should not try to DIY your skincare. DIY skincare is less stable than those made in a lab, very inconsistent in their chemical composition, and more likely to cause a reaction. You should also NEVER buy DIY sunscreen. Sunscreens are drugs that are difficult to formulate even for scientists and need to go through standardized testing.
SHEER: What are some of your favorite skincare brands at the moment and why?
TW: I absolutely adore Paula’s Choice. Their products use ingredients that are well backed by research and everything is fragrance free which is great for my sensitive skin.
SHEER: As we head into drier winter months, what are your top-tier skincare essentials and habits to navigate the season?
TW: Petroleum jelly! This ingredient is the BEST at creating an occlusive layer to help prevent water loss.
SHEER: Where do you draw the most inspiration from for your makeup looks?
TW: I draw a lot of inspiration from social media, especially Tik Tok. I’ve been loving all of the Euphoria inspired looks. I’m also inspired by the eyeshadow palettes I have and see what color story I can create on my eyes.
SHEER: What challenges did you face as a black woman starting her own business in the beauty and skincare industry?
TW: One of the hardest things is being able to perfect my craft. Whether it be makeup or skincare, I always had to spend more money on education that specialized in skin of color because generic information simply didn’t provide enough (or at all).
SHEER: How do you believe the beauty industry and media can do a better job of empowering and embracing all skin types?
TW: Having a diverse staff helps ensure that what’s produced meets the needs of all individuals.
