Meet Sharmeen Jariullah | Makeup artist and owner/creator of SharJar Makeup Artistry

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

Hi Sharmeen, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
The beauty industry is a wonderful, inclusive, and creative space, and I am happy to be part of this world. One of the things that outsiders to the industry are probably unaware of is that working in beauty is not just all glitz and glamour but also requires immense mental and physical dedication, technical as well as creative skill sets, and strong business acumen. While beauty application and creativity are an essential part of the industry, those outside the industry are probably unaware of how physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding the work is and that in order to be successful in virtually all parts of the industry-whether working for yourself, for a small business or in a corporate retail setting-one needs to understand how to run a business. Numerous times throughout my tenure in beauty retail and management, clients have said, “your job is so fun, you just get to play in makeup all day!” While I love how my work allows me to tap into my full creative potential, what outsiders may not see is that applying makeup is only part of the work and there is much more “behind the scenes,” such as (but not limited to): monitoring and handling stock, managing client appointment books, event prep and breakdown, setting up seasonal business plans, and servicing the client with the best experience. Traveling to clients requires additional time and preparations, as well as the ability to be flexible for any unplanned situations that may arise. More recently, the advent of COVID-19 has prompted cautious artists, such as myself, to become even more diligent in our safety practices and cleansing protocols. Of course, these measures are crucial and protect everyone. I love being a makeup artist and part of this exciting beauty industry; as I continue to grow, I am fortunate to share my journey and provide insights to people outside of the field. The pandemic has deeply impacted the beauty industry on many levels, so please continue to support us in the industry-your favorite makeup artists, hair colorists/stylists, estheticians, and local beauty retail workers.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an artist and makeup is my medium, but at its core I practice art in many forms, including but not limited to: sketching with pencils to painting with oils, watercolors and acrylics on canvas and other mediums. I enjoy exploring different mediums and mixing art forms; recently I delved into utilizing makeup on mediums other than skin, and pressing flowers and working with candle wax and different paints on canvas. What sets me apart from other artists is my willingness to take risks and a strong commitment to constantly learning and growing in my craft. Every artist needs to have a basic technical understanding, but it is also important for creatives, like in any other field, to have a dedication to build upon and expand those (creative, technical and other) skills. I am excited to be a part of a field that allows me to be creative and it is always exciting to work with my hands and create something, including my makeup clients. I enjoy working with every type of look, whether it is (among others) editorial, bridal, or a glam/ specific look for an event, because I treat each client as the unique individual they are. Being a full-time makeup artist with my own business and working professionally in a creative field is by no means, a simple or easy process. It has taken a lot of hard work, grit, dedication and a good amount of creative energy to overcome the many challenges that it takes to become a successful professional makeup artist. Some of the most important lessons I have learned along the way are to stay committed to my values and goals and to adapt as needed. I am devoted to making each client look and feel like the best version of themselves and to have a positive experience every time we work together. As a young girl, I was mesmerized by runway fashion and makeup and instantly knew that is what I wanted to do. As I get to do what I love, my passion for makeup and perfecting my art only continues to grow. My brand SharJar Makeup Artistry is distinguishable for clients because they know that when they book SharJarMua, they will always receive the best makeup artist services in a positive, enjoyable experience.

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.
As a relatively recent Dallas transplant, I am constantly discovering new places around the city and as the metroplex expands, this list is continuously growing! I am lucky to have a lot of friends and family visit, so I like to curate their trip based on their interests but here are a few places that are go-to’s for everyone and my Dallas friends and I love visiting. I am a huge fan of museums so the DMA (Dallas Museum of Art) and the Sixth Floor Museum at the Dealey Plaza are must visits for art and history buffs, respectively. Neiman Marcus Downtown is a truly unique experience for shopping and fashion fiends. If weather permits, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical garden is a beautiful location to relax and for taking Instagram worthy snaps. A couple of my favorite outdoor spots downtown to hang-out and take pictures are Thanks-Giving Square and Klyde Warren Park. If therapeutic strolls or outdoor exercise is your thing, I love the many trails including one of my favorites, Katy trail. The Bishop Arts District has some of my favorite restaurants, and no trip to Dallas is complete without some Texas BBQ. I recently graduated with my M.A. from Texas Woman’s University in Denton and while it is a little bit outside of Dallas, I encourage everyone to explore Denton and the TWU campus. The city of Denton has some cool spots including my favorite shop for ethically sourced crystals and gems. It is worth a trip!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people to name! I want to give a shout-out to everyone who has supported me and to my clients. I want to shout out the many legendary makeup artists, visual artists, and fashion designers who have inspired me with their visions and creativity. Most of all, I want to shout out all of my fellow artists and those in the beauty industry who continue to do work hard to do what we love, regardless of the many obstacles that come with pursuing creative work. I am a certified bookworm and some of my favorite foundational books are Making Faces and Face Forward by Kevyn Aucoin, and Color by Betty Edwards on color theory, In addition to these gems, I will be listing other relevant books on the blog page on my website sharjarmua.com.

Website: sharjarmua.com

Instagram: sharjarmua

Linkedin: Sharmeen Jariullah

Twitter: sharjar21

Facebook: SharJar Makeup Artistry

Other: Check out my other venture-my blog and podcast: Gray Matters the Blog at graymatterstheblog.com and on Instagram at graymatterstheblog.