Ashley Wilson - I noticed that whenever cosmetic companies released new lipsticks that they wouldn’t show how it would look on different skin tones, which has made a lot of people reluctant to purchase. So being that I love lipstick anyway I said to myself why not start posting my pictures so others can see how it will look on someone close to their tone.
SBM: What/who influences you? What/who doesn't?
AW - My friends & family! They’ve been telling me for months to start a blog, YouTube or anything..lol!! Their consistent support, genuine love and honest feedback has meant a lot to me.
SBM: Where did your passion for lipstick come from/begin?
AW - My mom, she passed when I was a baby so all I have are pictures of her to admire her beauty. When looking at old photos I noticed in almost every one she was wearing lipstick. I mean every picture her lips were painted to perfection. I can tell dark shades were her favorite colors, which are mine as well. So one day I asked my friend Courtney to go with me to help me pick out a lipstick that would look good on me and the rest is history. It’s a good feeling knowing I love lipstick as much as she did.
SBM: What was the biggest struggle with developing your brand? What was the best part?
AW -
A.)
I’d say the biggest struggle had to be me not
knowing where to start or if anybody would care to see something like that. I
constantly talked to my cousins Brandy and Chasity, as well as my friend Jae about ideas for my logo, the
page set up, cameras etc. I was like a fish out of water.
B.)
The best is knowing that I wasn’t alone. They
put my mind at ease by telling me to just be myself, not to be scared to just
put myself out there. Being carefree because I’m doing something I love and no
one or nothing should stop that.
SBM: What about lip paint inspires you?
AW - The
colors! I get so excited every time I see a pretty color. To me a color is
either bomb or poppin and I’m all about keeping my lips poppin. Lol You can
create so many looks with just lipstick alone. I love how a lipstick color can
look vampy on one person and chic on another.
SBM: How do you advertise your brand?
AW - I post
to my lipstick Instagram page (@lipstickashxoxo) and also on my Facebook. When I’m not doing that
I’m telling people in person who like lipstick as much as I do to follow my
page and tell a friend. Anybody that asks me what lippie I have on I tell them
the color and to follow my page for more looks.
SBM: To what do you attribute your success?
AW - The
beauty community on Instagram is unreal! So far I’ve been featured on
@Colourpopcult, @Dupethat, @CocoaSwatches, @_beautybyelle, @Max_beauty_, and
@Limecrimemakeup. The support from these beauty pages has been wonderful by
them featuring me it’s really gotten my name out there. Anytime a new lipstick
comes out if I haven’t seen it already, I get tagged in it by fellow beauty
pages. I LOVE IT!! I also try to reply back to everyone’s question or comment.
I be myself and I’m social with my followers, I think they really appreciate
that.
SBM: How do you handle life with so much negativity?
AW -Life
is too short to focus on the negative things/ people. So I try to overlook it. In
the past I would feel the need to speak on it. Now I’ve come to learn to simply
pay it no mind and go about my day. My environment is so much more peaceful
since doing so.
SBM: If you had any advice for someone starting their own business, what would it be?
AW - Do your
research!!! Educate yourself on how to get your name or brand out there. Ask
questions when needed. Always put 100% into anything your name is attached to.
Last but not least there will be people who will doubt you. So learn to brush
it off and keep moving forward with whatever it is you love.
SBM: Describe your brand in THREE words:
AW - Love,
Classy and Bold - XOXO
