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As John shared her decade-long journey, she recalled leaving the banking industry where she worked for several years as being the watershed moment that began her life change. “I used to work in the Projects and Development department and that called for very long hours,” she explained. “When I had my second child I was not able to give my family the attention they deserved. I remember Miles Monroe saying that God actually gives you a sense of what your purpose is when you are young and if you are misguided, you can actually look back in your teenage years and see what your purpose is.” 

 

Inspired by Monroe, John decided to leave the banking industry for good and reconcile with her childhood passion of beauty culture. Initially wanting to be an aesthetician, the top notch artist decided to streamline her desire and focused solely on make up artistry. 

“I always loved make up as a child and I would watch TLC for their makeover shows,” John confessed. 

 

She then embarked on her training, first at SASHA cosmetics and then under internationally esteemed artist, Ephraim Hunte. More recently, John has refined her craft under the tutelage of Danessa Myricks in the art of contouring and perfecting the skin and later studied airbrushing in Manhattan, Temptu. Things began evolving pretty quickly for John, who at one time called around to various advertising agencies seeking work but was initially unsuccessful. Her break came when CNB Advertising hired her over the phone.  

 

“When I reached the event, they told me I had seven minutes to do the makeup. After I was finished, they were really  impressed and kept hiring me from then on,” she said. A year later, John’s career stabilised and today, she is now the go-to professional where make-up artistry is concerned. 

 

The esteemed artist has done several international commercials with Captain Morgan Parrot Bay Rum which was directed by The House of Usher Films from Los Angeles, along with local commercials, print and billboards for Bmobile, Carib, Digicel and R.B.C. among others. John has also worked for local television stations, magazines such as Caribbean Belle and Shabeau, Carnival launches and Look Books. She even recalled doing make up for one of President Obama’s officials during his visit to the Summit of the Americas a few years ago.

 

Additionally, John was flown to Mexico to attend MAC’s Autumn and Winter Trend Presentation to represent Trinidad and Tobago on invitation from their senior makeup artist for Latin America and the Caribbean, Gisel Cabilo, in August 2012. A serendipitous time indeed, for she was able to showcase herself to the fullest; new opportunities have been pouring in steadily since.

 

With such a demanding schedule, one wonders how this mother of five balances it all. “My job can be very demanding but I have a great mother in law and husband and we all pool together. I do try to take Sundays off also,” John said with a smile. Although the renowned make up aficionado immensely enjoys her full time job, she is not afraid to give us a reality check about the industry.

 

“Sometimes people can be very unscrupulous and makeup artists tend to be very guarded people because other artists try to undercut them,” she said. “I have survived all these years because of my faith in God. He opens the doors and closes them. Sometimes I’m like a psychologist because people confide in me when they sit in that chair. I love to transform women because a lot of them suffer from low self esteem.” 

 

Although John’s fans and well wishers are in awe of her milestone achievements, she is still as hungry as when she first started. She anticipates a brighter future as she believes that the pinnacle of her talent and purpose is still untapped. “I work hard and I love what I do. Every day is a different challenge but I’m up for it. I still have a lot to learn and a lot to do because I have not achieved what I’m supposed to yet.”