Give us a little background on yourself.
Jalia Pettis began her journey in the beauty industry in 2008. After much trial & error, she relocated from South Carolina to Arizona in 2012 which catapulted her career. In July 2015 she became a Beacon Award Winner, in 2017 was named NAHA 2017 Finalist for Makeup Artist of the Year, in 2018 embarked upon her journey as a Platform Educator and holds the 2020-2021 title of International Beauty Industry Award Winner. Jalia is also a 2022 NAHA Finalist for Makeup Artist of the Year. As a Session Stylist, Jalia works in a variety of commercial settings to include film, television, and editorial. Jalia is truly skilled in multiple areas to include HR Management, Business Development, Contract Writing, Creative & Art Direction, what she refers to as the perfect mix of beauty & brains. Her goal as an educator is to equip others with the tools and self-confidence to start the adventure that comes with the industry.
What drew you to a career in makeup?
As an African-American woman who has freckles I have always been a minimalist as it relates to makeup. However when I had my makeup done the artist would want to cover that up. As a result what drew me to makeup was being able to show women of color that I could offer that safe space. Having the ability to love the skin your in along with understanding their frustrations with matching tones.
What are some of your notable and/or favorite projects?
My most notable work to date has to be from a collection I created entitled "Lineage". I shot it in 2019 in California right before the pandemic. It has gained an International Beauty Industry Award for 2020-2021 and most recently been named as a 2022 NAHA Finalist for Makeup Artist of the Year. The collection is a reflection of understanding the regalness within black beauty.