Meet Kelly! Your Connecticut & Western Massachusetts Permanent Makeup Artist! Kelly is incredibly talented and has the most amazing aura that lights up the room when she walks in. I can’t wait for you to learn more about Kelly, her team and what they have to offer!
What is your name! How should people address you?
My name is Kelly Miller. It’s not a very exciting name haha so people just call me Kelly or Kel.
What is the name of your business? Do you own it, co-own etc.?
My business is called Beauty and the Brow and I am the owner and lead artist.
Where are you located and what areas do you serve?
We are located in Southwick, Mass and we serve all areas! I’ve had people drive 3+ hours for our services before, it’s amazing! But mostly the Western Mass and CT area for sure. Westfield, Chicopee, Springfield, Enfield, Suffield and Hartford.
And what inspired you to open your business (or get into the field)? How long have you been active?
I have been an artist in the beauty industry for 19 years, whether that’s been through hair or makeup artistry. I found my true passion working in skin- Cosmetic makeup changes lives and I was always striving to make a positive impact in people’s lives and the permanent makeup industry allowed me to do that. I have been an active PMU artist for 6 years now and I love every second of it. I am truly living the dream.
What’s your definition of beauty?
To me, beauty is something felt from within. You can change your look to be trendy and attractive and that’s great. But when you’re happy and comfortable in your own skin, the true beauty comes out in your actions. Your happiness radiates to others, whether that be a smile that brightens someone’s day or an act of kindness.
What products/services do you offer?
We offer so many cool services! Our most popular services are permanent brows, lips or eyeliner as well as Lash lifts & Tints, tooth gems and brow/full body waxing. We also offer 3D Areola tattooing, belly button restoration facials, brow lamination and scar softening.
Permanent jewelry is very hot right now too, which is a cute new service where we micro-weld a dainty piece of sterling silver or gold filled chain onto itself to create a clasp-less necklace, bracelet or anklet. There’s a ton of cute charms to choose from also, and we offer at home party’s so it’s not just in studio!
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
Creating! I love to create beautiful brows, a luscious lip blush or a sharp eyeliner for people. When they come into the studio it’s almost like they have walked into their new life where they aren’t going to need to obsess over doing their makeup anymore, every day, for too many minutes. It’s time consuming and tedious! And not everyone is a makeup artist, so they don’t always enjoy the task either.
What is the most rewarding and most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of my job is when people come in so defeated about something on their face or body. Perhaps they don’t see themselves as beautiful because of loss of hair or pigment or have felt the disapproving stare of passerby’s if they have trouble creating symmetry with their makeup or covering a scar. The stories can be very sad, and I see it in their eyes when they try to stay strong.
Please share a moment from your career that touched you.
I’ll never forget the look on one of my clients’ face when I gave her matching, hyper realistic 3D Areola tattoos. This one specific case hit home, hard, with me because she was my age and had a baby boy. This woman had undergone invasive cancer treatments and was supposed to not survive. But she did. She underwent many treatments followed by a double mastectomy, and more treatments, and she persevered. As a single trying to work mother, she was going through it all. Once I met her, we instantly connected, and she gushed out every detail of her journey. I listened intently as I tattooed, astonished by everything this woman has gone through and she still manages to smile and laugh. Once we finished up and she stood up to look at her new breasts in the mirror she immediately started crying. This was the final part of being able to leave the sickness behind her. She wasn’t sick anymore, and now she didn’t look it either. She could look in the mirror and love herself again. Feel whole again. This memory I will forever hold in my heart.
What Inspires you? What do you want to achieve in the future?
Women inspire me. We are highly intelligent, yet complex creatures and we can be hit over and over again with disappointment and failure only to get back up and keep pushing through. I want to achieve many things going forward but mostly I want to help get Areola tattooing universally covered by insurance so these women don’t have to live feeling incomplete if they can’t afford the procedure and so they don’t have to pay out of pocket. This is the last piece to their cancer journey, and it should absolutely be covered.
Tell me a little about yourself personally!
I absolutely love what I do. I don’t help people on a surgical table or in an ER, and I’m not a therapist (despite how I might feel like I’m a therapist some days). But I help people emotionally, to feel love for themselves again. And that’s my why. I want everyone to feel seen and loved. I have been so fortunate in this life with my career, my family and health that I want to help people see their true beauty and worth.
Tell me a little about your family life. Are you married, have children, or pets?
I am getting married September 15th, 2023! Very excited for that day. We have been together for the last 11 years. We grew up together but went our separate ways after school and reunited in our mid 20’s. We have 3 beautiful children together who keep us on our toes (in the best way). Our sweet dog, Rooney and the best cat in the world, Bowie. Yes, he is named after the late and great, David Bowie.
What aspect of your beauty routine tends to be neglected?
Wow, this is embarrassing, haha! Probably my skincare routine. I have a bad habit of loving too many products from many different lines and I know better but still do it. Super guilty of this always haha.
What do you do for fun in your down time?
I enjoy watching films and eating artisan foods. I also enjoy the quiet because when I am at work, I am a chatterbox and when I’m home my kids talk my ears off and when I do get alone time I just like to reflect. I’m still a lover of music and going to live shows as well.
Do you have a favorite quote or mantra to live by?
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Anything else you would like to share?
I want to empower those around me to be and do their best. Helping others is what makes me never give up in my dreams and I’m lucky to have likeminded people by my side to guide me. The services I offer are unique in many ways and I want to reach as many people as possible so they, too, can feel the inner beauty by loving themselves first.
My work is one way I help but I also like to volunteer my time to organizations such as the Pink Way Foundation, CHD and Western Mass Mom Prom. All are nonprofit organizations that help survivors and people undergoing cancer treatments whether that be through monetary donations to help with bills/rent or to put food on the table if they can’t work because of their ongoing treatments.
Check out more about Kelly on her Website and follow along with her on Facebook & Instagram!
