Meet Dennise Babiche | HMUA – Hair and Makeup Artist

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

Hi Dennise, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have been in the industry for over 10 years. I was 15 years old when I had the opportunity to do my first bridal makeup. I was the go to person in my group of friends, that would glam everyone up before a night out. In college my friends called my dorm “Salon de Babiche”. I freelanced for majority of my time in the industry, but in 2019 I wanted to dedicate myself more to my career as a makeup artist. I started to brand myself on social media, create content and apply for professional projects. In 2020, I caught, what I thought was my “Big Break”, when I was hired as a Special Effects Makeup Artist for SXSW for Amazon Studios activation event. I was beyond excited, that I went and bought a brand new makeup kit and products to ensure I was up to par with the “Real Professionals”. I was heartbroken when I received the news that SXSW was cancelled for the first time ever due to Covid. But I did not let that keep me down, during covid I was able to dedicate more time to my artistry. By October 2020 I was hired by my dream job to be a MAC Makeup Artist. I feel like, once I was able to cross that threshold, I was more dedicated than ever to my career as a Makeup Artist. I was promoted to MAC Manager fairly quickly due to my success in the role, high sale numbers, and passion. I was a manager for about a year when my father became terminally ill, and I quit my job to be closer to home and take care of him in early 2022. He ended up passing a few days after I left the job. My father has always been my inspiration and I took that as a sign to take a leap of faith and officially start my business. I applied for my LLC in October 2022 and signed the lease on my Makeup Studio suite in November 2022. I had my Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting in Jan. 2023, and was overwhelmed with the amount of support from my family and friends, that there was barely any standing room. I feel like my passion for makeup has been such a big part of me, that it only made sense to open my own business, and I am so happy that I did. I love being able to help my clients feel and look their best for their big moments.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am known for my Glam Makeup looks, and perfect brows. I am a big perfectionist, and am always looking for ways to improve my craft or make my clients experience better. I have a very easy going personality, bubbly and always love to have fun. I treat my clients like they are my BFFs and have known each other for years. I like to ease any fears my clients may have, or lower any anxiety. I offer a serene and relaxing atmosphere for my clients luxury makeup sessions. My suite is a crowd favorite, the space exudes charm, with a whimsical and feminine touch, making it the perfect place to pamper my clients.

I am most excited for the future and what’s to come. I recently have worked on bigger projects like Dallas Fashion Week Fashion Show, which was a dream, and something I have always wanted to do. I have worked in fashion shows before while in college, but never THE FASHION WEEK Fashion Show. I have also been a part of commercial filmings like Amazon with the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Stadium, and an episode of ‘Transformed’ by Truly TV that was featured on SnapChat Stories and has gotten over 700K views on Facebook alone. I have also worked with photographers on portraits that have gotten published in several magazines like Dreamy Magazine, Grandeur Life Magazine, and Prestige Magazine to name a few.

My passion, persistence and dedication to my craft has gotten me to where I am today. It’s been hard to keep my inspiration and motivation high after so many years in the industry, and when the dreaded imposter syndrome sets in, it’s almost nearly impossible to shake off. But after my dad passed last year, everything changed for me, my perspective on life and what was really important for me. I was tired of working other jobs that had nothing to do with what makes me happy, and the only reason I’d stay was for the people I’d meet at these jobs and never for the work itself. One day I just asked myself, “Why do all these people get to do what they love for a living, and I don’t”, ever since then I have put my passions into my business and it just started to take off. I am a very spiritual person, and I know my dad has been with me as driving force on the other side, helping me and sending all these blessings and opportunities my way.

Some of the hardest obstacles to overcome has been the realization that I am my worst critic, and my intrusive thoughts and feelings, like what I have done is never enough. I have also learned that no one will promote or care about your business more than yourself, and that if you don’t dedicate time to marketing your business, no one else will do it for you. Your family and friends will only do so much. But sometimes there will be people you thought were in your corner but are actually not your biggest supporters and could care less about you or your business, you just can’t take what other do personally and know that you have plenty of other supporters in your life.

I’d like the world to know that even if you haven’t been able to follow your dreams or pursue a career that makes you your happiest, it’s never too late. Even if you feel like you don’t want to start over, just take it little by little and day by day. Doing one thing a day for your business will get you further along than never starting to begin with. Don’t be too hard on yourself, and learn to give yourself some grace and know that you can only do your best. Stay consistent, and you’ll see a difference within a few months.

My brand may have been 10+ years in the making, but it only started taking off once I made the conscious decision to be consistent and dedicate time and pour love into my business. Love for what you do and for the people around you will take you and your business a long way. That is how I treat my clients, with love, understanding and empathy. This has shaped my customer service and services that leave my clients feeling empowered and just as beautiful on the inside as the outside.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since I am from Fort Worth, one of the first places I’d be taking my bestie is down to the Stock Yards. I am originally from New Jersey, so when I have friends or family visit it’s always such a big culture shock. So I like to introduce them to aspects of DFW that they have never seen before. So for a week this is where we would go, eat, and hang out:

Monday:
– Esperanzas (Best Mexican Breakfast)
– Stock Yards ( in time for the 11am Cattle Drive) walk around and take pictures
– Water Gardens
– Sunday Square for Dinner at Capital Grill

Tuesday:
– Chill day, Pool time
– Late lunch/ early Dinner W. 7th – Food Hall
– Movies at W7th Movie Tavern, Bar hop, games

Wednesday
– Six Flags
– Dinner at Arlington Heights, – Pluckers

Thursday
– Yolk for Breakfast
-Perot Museum in Dallas
– Dallas Aquarium
– Dinner at the Charles for awesome italian food

Friday
-Dallas Bazzar – Shopping
-Addison – Lunch/Dinner – Bushi Bushi (best chinese restaurant in Dallas, MUST TRY THE SOUP DUMPLINGS. They always have a robot that serves your food.

Saturday
-Deep Ellum walk around and shopping
-Vidorras – roof-top party and great Mexcian food
-Voodoo Donuts

Sunday
-Brunch at Bishop Arts area – Paradiso is a must for brunch.
– Walk around and Shop boutiques and vendors.
– Emporium Pies in Bishop Arts – the Chocolate Pie is my fave!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate my success to my family, friends, and beautiful souls that I have met along the way. They have always been my biggest fans and supporters, and I could not have gotten this far without them. From being my models, to helping set up my studio, sharing my content, or referring me and my services to anyone who would listen. They are the real ones out here!

Website: www.beautyandbabiche.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautyandbabiche/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beautyandbabiche

Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beautyandbabiche Linktr.ee Link: linktr.ee/beautyandbabiche

Image Credits
Raising Stone Photography Dizzle Shot It