Meet Markita Pollard | Makeup Artist & Astrologer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Markita Pollard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Markita, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
From a young age, having both my parents in the military, structure was important growing up. I had enjoyed dancing for many years taking ballet, jazz, and tap. While loving soccer from the age of five until I was 18. Of course it took some maturing and realizing I defiantly operate better when there is structure to my daily habits. Finding my balance with work and play was something I didn’t start taking more seriously until my 30s. Now I welcome in more joy while acknowledging that I am still growing and that takes time to. With balance I welcome In exercising, cooking meals, or taking dance classes to just have a good laugh and be in community.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Whew my story? Sometimes I joke, I should write a book about it. Well, its been a journey thats ever evolving and changing. When I first started makeup I had just come into my creative side. Being an athlete it was rare to wear makeup but eyeshadow really made me fall in love with it. I could blame it on my teenage rebel side, the dark eye linear, the lived in-grunge eye makeup. Never did I think it would lead to my love in makeup, hair and later skincare. With the help from my mom Martha, she would teach me how to utilize skincare to help balance my skin and fight my acne. All of this is what led me to Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School in 2010, where I graduated in 2021. During my time going to school, I had been in an 5 year domestic violence relationship. Those five years were some of the hardest times where I struggled with my environment and being at war with my self. Creating this dark line of being a warrior and a solider, so I didn’t fully loose my magic within. I knew something had to change. I knew I was capable of pulling myself out of the isolation I had created. Which led me to Paul Mitchell where I could finally have a creative outlet and meet a community of girls that reenforced who I was. Once I graduated I moved to Mckinney, Texas I started my career working at Salon Pompeii in Dallas. Near the end of my apprenticeship I moved into having my own station. After a while I wanted to switch gears and really focus on perfecting my craft with makeup. I had always had a passion for wanting to work for a tv station or on a movie set. So for the next 10 years I ensured that my makeup artristy wouldn’t be limited to one style of makeup. From there in 2014 I started working for Mac Cosmetics at Galleria Macys. Through my time there I would perfect my precision and artistry skills to a higher standard. During the next five years I made sure to grow my networking skills to continue to build relationships with other photographers, artist, and tv production companies. Those years I had accomplished so many bucket list items as an artist. I had done 5 music videos, first time having my work published in Lucy Magazine. Later I was hired by People Magazine where my first big commercial / magazine print job came. With these jobs I applied to Estrella Media tv as a makeup artist for their show that broadcasted to California,Colorado, Miami, and Texas. After a few interviews I become one of their main makeup artist, where I was able to work through the week getting the anchors ready for each show. After about six months of working there I had applied to be a makeup artist for the Latin Grammys that was being hosted in Irving Texas. Once I had received word I was approved I couldn’t believe it. One of the most wildest and beautiful 18 hours of my life! Mind you, while I was working at the tv station I was also running my own wedding bridal team, working for Khiels as an aesthetician where I traveled all over dfw providing facials at special events. Honestly 2019 had shown me, I was truly capable of doing anything. With all the trials and tribulations over the course of my life, I was so proud to see I could be the Phoenix always rising through the ashes. That my life testimony had yet to begin. When the Pandemic hit and the world stood still, once everything had settled and come to some type of “normal”. I had started providing Oxygen Aromatherapy Reiki Facials to my clients. I wanted to provide more of an elevated service to others that wasn’t just about the materialistic side of beauty but more of the spiritual inner beauty. With my brand wither its through makeup, reiki facials, sound bowl healing or an Astrology reading with me. I hope to provide validation and beauty to those at times even when life may feel heavy and isolating. That a death and rebirth can happen so you can become the highest best version of yourself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am a absolute foodie! When it comes to either me cooking or stepping out for some yummy food with my Husband. Some of my favorite restaurants are Jeng Chi for some of the best dumplings, pea shoot leafs, and orange chicken. Too Thai eats is one of my favorite Thai places, from their soups, pad wood sen, beef salad everything is fresh and insanely good. For sushi Ai is where its at, absolutely to die for.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would absolutely love to give a loving shoutout to my now husband and best friend Christopher Pollard. I met this man originally when I was 15. We had stayed friends over the years while he became a marine, stationed in Japan. Through sharing music, having long odd hour chats our bond grew. He has seen me go through my “Phoenix from the ashes moments” . To always reminding me to be proud of my self and to chase my dreams. Second person would be Megan Poakeart, dear mentor and yogi instructor who has really helped me process past trauma and validate my own personal spiritual Phoenix. Without her teachings I wouldn’t have knowledge or the tools to move through certain chapters of my life.

Instagram: markitabeauty

Image Credits
Jackie Marie Photography Silver Bear Creative @hannahhixphoto