Q&A With Rashida Williams

Ask any model, actress, or photographer in the metro Detroit area who the “Glam Doctor” is and I’m quite sure they will know that it’s Rashida “The Glam Dr.” Williams!” Williams dove head first into the makeup game in 1998 and has never looked back. Just last year, the celebrity makeup artist was voted Detroit’s best makeup artist by local television station WDIV. There’s no doubt that Rashida “The Glam Dr.” Williams has the right prescription when it comes to making women beautiful, on both the inside and out.

A Word For My Sistas: When did you realize that you wanted to become a makeup artist?

Rashida Williams: I didn’t know! Lol! Makeup wanted me more than I wanted it. In 1998, I started pretty much with family and friends asking me to do their makeup. It went from that to me doing my first wedding in June, 2001. After that, all of my jobs for the first 4 or 5 years were mostly word of mouth. In 2006, a nice young lady name Valencia Robertson saw something in me and told me that she wanted to do a website for me once I got a catchy name. At the time, I was going by the name “Exquisite Looks by Rashida” and she hated the name. Lol! She said it wasn’t catchy and she wouldn’t do a site for me until I had a catchy name. It wasn’t until 8 months later that I was nicknamed the “Dr. of Glam” by my friend Darrell Cannon. The rest is history.

A Word For My Sistas: What is your favorite makeup brand?

Rashida Williams: To be honest Tiffany, I don’t really have a favorite brand. I love something in most of every makeup line; from the department store to the $1 store. I will say though that I gravitate more to Black Opal & L’Oreal brands the most.

A Word For My Sistas: What are your personal must have items for your makeup kit?

Rashida Williams: I MUST have Telescopic Mascara by L’Oreal and my Milani Eyebrow Pencil in dark brown and I must fill in my brow with Maybelline medium brown eyebrow pencil.

A Word For My Sistas: Did you go to cosmetology school and would you advise other aspiring makeup artist to go?

Rashida Williams: No, I never went to any school. I have taken a lot of courses. To be honest, the people that I know that have been to these “schools” are not any better off than those that don’t. I think it’s just preference and perhaps the way that you may learn. I was always a look and learn kind of girl. If you show me or if I see it done, I can duplicate it.

A Word For My Sistas: Have you ever been star struck by any of the celebrities you have worked with?

Rashida Williams: Actually, because I have been around celebrities way before makeup, I have never been star struck. I truly look at them as a client and I treat them just as good as I do all of my clients. I’ve been pretty blessed to work with some very gracious celebrities. I haven’t had too many diva experiences.

A Word For My Sistas: How important is networking in the business?

Rashida Williams: Networking for me is right up their with skill level. I have been blessed to be very, very, successful because of my ability to do great networking. I learned how to properly network in my early 20’s when I was the booking manager for a group that I sung in. Networking can’t be fake and phony. It has to be genuine and not too forced. People can see right through that. Do NOT brown nose. Just be genuinely nice to people and it will open up doors for you.

A Word For My Sistas: Have you ever considered developing your own line of makeup?

Rashida Williams: I would love to have my own line of cosmetics one day. But the timing has to be right and so does the product. I would like to have a hands on approach when it comes to what I want for a cosmetic line. I want my line to have several components to it.

A Word For My Sistas: What are your goals this year and the years beyond when it comes to your makeup career?

Rashida Williams: My goal for this year is to step out and do makeup full-time. To be able to get much more training for where I know that God is taking me; to be a better mentor to those who seek it, and to see my “Beyond The Brush” program take off and soar. “Beyond The Brush” is an aspect of my business that deals with inner beauty radiating on the outside for women and teens.

A Word For My Sistas: If you could give just one piece of advice for aspiring makeup artist like myself, what would it be?

Rashida Williams: To thine ownself be true. Do it because you are passionate about it. Don’t get into the makeup business just to make money. Get and invest in as much training as you can and it will show in your work. Find a mentor and study them and pick their brain.

A Word For My Sistas: What’s it like to have your dream career? Is it really as much fun as it seems?

Rashida Williams: Funny you ask that, because this was not my dream career. My dream career was acting and singing. Lol! However, once I got into this, I have come to love it. I absolutely love helping women feel great about themselves. I love doing private makeup lessons for a woman who has never worn makeup and to see her do it herself and feel confident is amazing. For me, makeup makes me feel confident and confident!! I am having lots of fun as I get to meet so many amazing people such as you. I get to go places I would have never gone. I get to see all kinds of things.

To learn more about Rashida Williams, visit www.theglamdoctor.com.