Meet Darcy Harrington | Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist

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

Hi Darcy, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I think the most important factor behind my success is my authenticity and transparency with my clients. Having meaningful conversations, listening to what my clients want, and being completely open about my vision for them, allows me to create real genuine relationships. I open my heart and mind to everyone I work with, knowing that the interaction we have is just as important as the final product. I accept everyone for who they are, where they are, or where they want to be. I approach each job with a willingness to help and the desire to learn. I learn from clients I work with, as well as anyone willing to impart knowledge on me. My door is always open, and I think that’s rare to find in an industry so competitive. Kindness and acceptance goes a long way, and I think those two factors play a huge roll in the success of my brand.

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.
I am a professional makeup and hair stylist, specializing in Bridal, Commercial & Magazine Shoots. I’m known for creating both natural and soft glam makeup looks. As for hair I specialize in hot tools, blowouts, and bridal hair styling. I’ve worked with Magnetic Creative Production Company on different commercial sets like Chilis Resteraunt, Naturvet, Nexgrill, Alma Lasers, and Brave Books. I’ve done makeup for the cover of San Diego Women’s Magazine, and Exploring Life Financial magazine. My work has been seen on the face of professional athlete, Kerri Walsh Jennings. I am most proud of myself for never giving up, and trusting myself which has led me to the most incredible experiences. Of course the journey has not always been smooth, theres been many struggles along the way. Financial burdens created hurdles at the start of my business, making it difficult to initially build my makeup kit. I also struggled with the challenges of completely switching career paths and all that entails. I think always betting on myself, and having my spirituality by my side has helped me overcome all challenges when it comes to my business. I always believed in a larger divine plan for myself, and that God would guide me to make the best decisions for me. One thing I’ve learned is there’s no such thing as perfect when creating art and that learning something new each day is what makes for beautiful experiences. I want the world to know that no matter what you do, how you treat people does matter the most. There is a chance to connect, to heal, to help, and to truly change the trajectory of someones life with kindness.

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.
If my best friend was visiting San Diego, the first place wer’e going is El Ranchito Taco Shop. This is the best Mexican food and my absolute favorite. No trip is complete without flautas. Next we would head to Clems Tap house in Kensington. I have been going here for years for the ambiance, people, and immaculate vibes. For the late night we would put on our dancing shoes and find the nearest DJ preferably at a rooftop in little Italy. When we needed a pick me up we’d head for a Vietnamese coffee at Saigon, or a latte at Dark Horse on Adams Avenue. I would take them to a Pure Barre class in Hillcrest for exercise. If the Padres had a home game we would definitely head to Petco Park. San Diego is really filled with so much life, the weather is unmatched and I’m truly blessed I get to call this place home.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have so much gratitude for so many people in my life, that have pushed me to the highest levels of success. One makeup artist in particular who I’ve looked up to since I was a little girl is Sheila Nellis. Sheila is a well known San Diego artist affiliated with Trish Mcevoy, who has served the greater San Diego area for decades. She is a trendsetter, and trail blazer within the beauty industry. Her uniqueness as a person and artist is unmatched. Sheila has believed in me since day one. The second I was fully licensed, she instantly started bringing me along to freelance jobs with her. I remember being so nervous because I lacked experience earlier on, and she would just throw me into these 12 person weddings. I can’t thank her enough because that’s how I learned. She taught me to sink or swim. I gained confidence by working with her, and increased my skills at a rapid pace. She has introduced me to so many wonderful people along the way, and has exposed me to a wide variety of events. We still work together frequently to this day, and feed off each others passion and positive energy. Without her, I wouldn’t be as far in my career. Another artist that has encouraged me and helped me fine tune my skills is Kandice Brock. Kandice is another revered name in the industry, and one of the most talented make up artists in Southern California. Kandice has shown me kindness and a nurturing energy since the day I met her. Our first interaction was me in her chair as a client, and she so readily told me to “go for it” when I shared my interest in doing make up. She allowed me to shadow her, take notes on her technique, and openly shared all her product knowledge. I am so honored to now work weddings and other jobs by her side, knowing she believed in me from the beginning. Both these artists continue to inspire me with their work, as well as their selfless demeanors. They both taught me the way that kindness, compassion, and gratitude are also necessary tools in my kit.

Website: https://www.alainnartistry.com

Instagram: alainnxartistry

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

Image Credits
Deena Meeder Portraits
Sabrina Lynn Photo