We’re looking forward to introducing you to Empress Saintrose. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Empress, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Coffee dates after a hard and good workout with my girls! We sit and talk for hours. We laugh we cry and we learn so much! We need to really start a podcast! We are actually working on one. Stay tuned for that!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Empress Saintrose it’s hard for me to say exactly what I do because I do so many things! I will say… Saintrose Cosmetics!!! At this point in my life I am 1 class away from finishing my bachelors in middle school math. I am also a homeschooling mother of four children ages 16, 15, 12 and 7. I teach skincare and cosmetics by making women feel beautiful, I tattoo eyebrows as a permanent makeup artist, I am the author of a children’s book and I have my own cosmetic line which is simply makeup brushes, exotic lashes and lip colors. What makes me unique is I am resourceful. Right now I am working on my personal brand and me as a woman and individual. I am my brand and I want to work on that. That may entail public speaking and teaching and I am ready for that. The most important part of my brand is making women feel beautiful! I do this through makeup- permanent or just for the night!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationships with my children has helped me see myself. They have seen me at my worst & my best. They have seen me when I am sick & when I am healthy. They have seen me when I am ugly & when I am pretty. They have seen me when I am nice and when I am mean. Most importantly, they see me. They see me win, fail, struggle, laugh, cry and push! Being a young mom was not easy but it has allowed me to grow with my children. They have a voice and platform to express themselves. While it may seem disrespectful to the older generation, it has helped me grow and stay humble. A lot of people praise me for my works, generosity and what they see but my children know me like no other. These relationships have allowed me to take accountability, deal with my childhood traumas and fix what I began to break because of generational hurts. If my kids did not “clock my T” so often, I would go around thinking I am always right! While I am for the most part, I self reflect daily. My kids have the best and the worst of me and I appreciate that they use it as a mirror for me. I see myself as a girl who has already won, has nothing to prove and most importantly is safe! Being reminded of this has allowed me to let my guard down, relax and enjoy life. Because I am reminded that I am not perfect, and I too can hurt people, I seek to grow and become more peaceful. This peace is not just on the outside but inside my mind and my heart. I see myself as creative, affectionate, motivated, helpful and present.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
What helped me the most when I was sad or scared was crying. I use to think if I cried in front of people, it made me weak. This is why I was such a fighter in my youth. I felt that once my tears came out I had to fight in order to prove my strength. As an adult I realized that crying is so therapeutic. It hurts to hold it in. I believe I was dealing with functional depression for about 9 months. No one knew because of course, I am the life of the party, always beautifully put together and I am present for everyone. However, I was not present for myself. I was holding in my tears. My chest was heavy and my throat was always in pain from feeling choked up. One day I finally cried for about two hours. I am talking about boo-hoo crying with snot and all. I had a headache for two days after this because of the emotional toll and process it took me through. You know what happened after those 2 days of healing? I felt lighter. I was not 100% but I was better. I was moving and I started writing down goals again. Crying helps. Those coffee dates helped too. They saved my life.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say family matters most to me. I go hard for my children and my husband. I treasure the time I have with them. However, if they know me well and my family is included in this, they would say freedom. Freedom is the most important thing in this world to me. I want to be able to move when I want, eat what I want and live by my own rules. I want the same things for my friends. I want us to feel free to eat what we want without worrying if it’s poisoned or processed. I want to be able to work a few hours and enjoy meals with family at noon. I want my children to do the same. I absolutely want this for those children in Gaza and families in Congo who are being tortured, abused and murdered by the made up state of Israel. Ultimately, I crave a Caribbean lifestyle. I care about freedom, health and rest. And of course beauty! I always say “it is better to be overdressed than underdressed!”
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop doing school work and living my life based off of a “to-do list.” While I love learning, it takes a lot of time away from my family. I rather educate myself in a less traditional way, like travel. School is great and I am so grateful for the woman I have become. However, the timelines, due dates and in person requirements put limits on my freedom and life. I want to spend the last 10 years experiencing new places, foods and stories with my friends and family. I also want to have more stories to tell. My life may seem like a whole Tyler Perry movie but even he has a few new movies a year!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @emoneyhuney @saintrosecosmetics @saintrosebooksforkids
Image Credits
Formal photos : Edwens D. Saintrose instagram: @Edddiekane
Head shots /Self portraits : Isyss Saintrose
Instagram: @icy._.fr
