Today we’d like to introduce you to Mardochee (Chèe) Dominique.
Hi Chèe, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was a young girl, I loved playing in my mom’s makeup. Observing the way she would always put a little powder, mascara, shadow and lipstick each time before she stepped out the house. This then turned into me “formulating” my own cosmetic products and recording YouTube videos showing tutorials. In the 2015/2016 makeup era I was tuned in— studying different YouTubers and admiring the true essence of makeup as a whole. I began to start putting my skills to the test during the pandemic. This was a time where many people were discovering their own niches and starting businesses and this left me asking myself: “What am I truly good at?” And from there it all clicked.
In 2022, I began taking my first clients. I was doing makeup looks on different girls in my highschool bathrooms, cafeteria and even in the stairwells (LOL) for Senior Photos. Shortly after, my church’s First Lady would ask me to do her makeup before services. As someone who is held dear and true to my heart, her support meant everything to me. She was one of the first people who trusted my vision. And from there, it was history.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it was not been a smooth road. As a young entrepreneur, something I had to overcome was the struggle of being belittled. Because I started my business at the mere age of 16/17, people didn’t take me seriously. They would question me asking “How’s your LITTLE business going?” Or “You still doing the makeup thing, right?”
This sparked something in me to keep pushing. I had to make sure my business thrived from then on. Now years later, these same people are asking me to squeeze them in for an appointment!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in enhancing one’s natural features. One thing I hate so much, yet inspires my makeup style so much is the negative stigma around “birthday makeup”. I never want my clients to feel like they are hiding under a mask or uncomfortable within their own skin. My goal is to make them feel like the most elevated, confident and best version of themselves.
Many of my clients are people who have never gotten their makeup professionally done before or people who have had a negative experience in the past and decided to give makeup another chance. I like to say that I’ve taken their “makeup virginity” lol. I’m glad that both groups have entrusted me to deliver such a resonating experience to them. This is truly something that I hold dear to my heart.
As someone who has dealt with acne and has oily skin, navigating around different skin types is something I’ve mastered along the way. I had to learn different techniques for young, mature, textured, hyperpigmentation, dry, oily, combo skin, and so forth.
I think what sets me apart from others is that I was called to this work by God to help others elevate their confidence and operate as their best self. My clients can testify that I always have gospel music playing and it simply just sets the atmosphere. If they came in with any stress, fears, anxiety, heaviness or whatever issues it may be, they leave the session feeling refreshed and much lighter than they came in.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I like that Miami never sleeps. No matter what day, time or season it is, there is always something to see. It is always evolving and knows how to keep up with our fast-changing world. What I like least, is the traffic and how hectic things can get during hurricane season!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glambychee and https://www.instagram.com/xo.chee
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mardochee-dominique-9a4778142
