Des Moines-based makeup artist, Ivy Boyd, specializes in makeup for weddings, photos and commercial shoots and has done so for nearly 12 years. “I only use and promote cruelty-free products as animals are my first true love; makeup is second.” Learn about Ivy Boyd…
Follow at: @ivysavanah for product recommendations, tips, tutorials and cat pics; @ivyboydmakeup for my work
Hometown: Burlington, Iowa
First job: Hy-Vee when I was 14, which seems to be an Iowa rite of passage. I started with drive -p and cart corral and did eventually become a checker, worked in the pharmacy and the green house. The green house was the only part I actually liked. I got employee of the month twice, despite getting in trouble for refusing to wear a neck ribbon and “drawing too much” in the greenhouse notebook log.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in IA: My husband and I love anything animal related. Luckily, located near where we live, are two of our favorite animal activities! We love to visit the baby goats at Howell’s in Cumming and the alpaca at Rusty Stars Alpaca Farm in Winterset. We have four cats ourselves, so that in itself is a built-in cat cafe. We also love mid-century furniture so I spend a lot of time, and money, searching for my next vintage piece. Funky Finds is my absolute favorite place to shop.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: I’m proud to have arrived at a place in my career in which I truly do welcome feedback. I sincerely do want to get better and though it can feel like criticism at first, now I see that there’s always an opportunity in every critical statement. Criticism is one thing, but feedback you can do something with.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: I believe any business that emerged after 2020 still committed to what they do should be proud. During the height of the pandemic, it was nerve-wracking to work in a field that requires touching people’s faces. However, through it all, I remained committed to keeping myself and my clients as safe as possible. It made me realize how far I’d go to continue doing this job and that I was willing to do/wear/test a million times, whatever it took. That large obstacle only solidified that I am in the right industry and that I care very much about the health and safety of others.
Someone who inspires you and why: My clients inspire me. I did a makeup lesson with a 71-year-old, and she absolutely inspired me. I loved that she wanted to acquire new skills later in life, and I vowed that I’d do the same someday. My clients are often having headshot makeup done to launch a new business venture, taking risks, putting themselves out there in a way that is scary to most. I am so inspired by the people that sit in my chair, and I’ve learned so much from them.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: You must love and care for people far more than you love makeup. Makeup is only part of being a makeup artist. If you don’t really enjoy meeting new people, getting to know them, listening, taking feedback, adapting, don’t do this. You will end up disappointed.
Favorite quote: “Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you becomes your trademark.”― Jay Danzie
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: Nothing! Anything surprising I’ve already shared on the internet. I tend to overshare, and I’ve talked candidly about everything from mental health to dandruff online. I think that’s why people feel comfortable asking me questions though, and I’m proud of that transparency.
What makes someone fabulous: The most fabulous people I know can’t help but be themselves. They don’t pretend or put on. They aren’t afraid to show emotion. I love that about someone. Crying can be quite fabulous.