MENU
SEARCHAn award-winning makeup artist and entrepreneur, Jalia Pettis shows us how she sets herself up for success, everyday.
Jalia Pettis
Jalia Pettis, the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) winner of the 2022 Makeup Artist of the Year title, is a dual-licensed session stylist, educator, and entrepreneur. Pettis launched 3Jay Productions, a beauty, fashion, and branding agency, while also being a busy professional working in editorial, film, and television. She is an inspirational figure in the professional beauty industry, whose work and example motivates and empowers.
“I wear many hats so no one day is the same for me—but that is the beautiful life of a creative entrepreneur!” Pettis says.
And we would agree. Join us as we follow Pettis during a day in her life.
6:30 - 8:00 am: I wake up, read my devotional for daily inspiration, go through notifications on my phone a bit, double-check my kit to make sure I didn’t forget anything, shower, get dressed and take my daughter to school.
It is my practice to pack my kit --based on the client-- the day prior and to set my bags near the door. That way I can grab and go.
8:30 am: Arrive to set, greet the team and head straight to my designated workstation. It is important that I set up both hair and makeup in a manner that helps me work quickly and efficiently. All disposables and hot tools are on and easily accessible. I lay out my reference photos and call sheet which helps me keep my day organized.
9:00 – 10:30 am: Prep talent’s hair and makeup based on the concept or look desired. I also check with the photographer halfway through to ensure we are on the same page as the look progresses.
10:30 am – 12:30 pm: Bring talent to set and the magic begins! It is my job to be attentive to misplacements of hair or shine on the skin. This is not the time to be on my phone, taking behind the scenes photos for social media, especially when the project is for commercial, advertorial or film/tv.
Jalia Pettis onset
12:30 – 1:30 pm: Lunch. They say you have an hour but being a Session Stylist, you normally get called back from lunch before everyone else so that talent is ready to jump back in front of the camera.
This is my time to multitask by eating, checking missed messages or calls and making sure one of my boys knows to pick up my daughter.
1:30 – 2:00 pm: Transition talents next look. It is important I do this quickly; it is better I wait on the team than the team wait on me. Normally I have a bit more time if the schedule isn’t tight but most times it is best to put the finishing touches on talent while they are on set and the crew is making last minute lighting adjustments.
Jalia Pettis at work
2:00 – 4:00 pm: Talent in front of camera for the next look. I’m keeping a close watch for hair and skin changes.
4:00 – 5:00 pm: Transition the talent into the final look of the day. The final look normally takes a bit more time because the energy is dying down. It is my responsibility to make sure I keep the talent in an environment where they can remain inspired.
5:00 – 7:00 pm: Talent in front of camera for the last look, and I continue to keep a close watch for hair and skin changes.
Pettis won the 2022 NAHA for Makeup Artist of the Year, and she celebrated her win with her sons.
Photo courtesy of the Professional Beauty Association (PBA)/ NAHA
JALIA PETTIS CELEBRATING HER NAHA WIN WITH HER TWO SONS. (photo credit: Professional Beauty Association/NAHA.)
7:00 – 7:45 pm: It’s a wrap. I breakdown my station and travel back home. I move a lot faster cleaning up my station at the end of the day because I remove unused products and tools as we work through the shoot.
7:45 – 8:30 pm: Arrive home and get all the “tea” from my daughter about her day at school.
I clean all my makeup brushes and give my hair tools a nice Barbicide bath. I don’t like to wait to do my kit clean- up because I never know when the next call will come for another gig. I would rather be prepared and ready to go than to scramble.
8:30 – 10:00 pm: Shower, eat a light dinner before bed and watch a little TV… which ends up watching me because I fall asleep. 😊
Hannah Mejia believes lasting success comes from mastering your craft, embracing lifelong education and trusting that the career you dream about is within reach. A stylist, educator and content creator, Mejia has spent 15 years building a business rooted in creativity, communication and continuous growth.
Katy Samuels has spent 14 years proving that creativity thrives when you stop searching for the "right" way and start trusting your own instincts. Known for her creative color work and signature Headband Prism technique, Samuels encourages beauty professionals to embrace mistakes, refine their craft and develop a style that's uniquely their own.
Erin Munoz has spent 17 years building a thriving business behind the chair while proving that success doesn't have to come at the expense of life outside the salon. A color specialist, content creator and salon owner, Munoz believes beauty professionals should treat their careers like businesses, embrace change and make room for both financial growth and personal fulfillment.
North Carolina-based hairstylist Tyler Plemmons wants you to know one thing: Positivity and perseverance will get you everywhere. This MODERN SALON Artist Connective Member and 2018 MODERN SALON 100 Honoree is known for beautiful balayage, gorgeous vivids, and soft pastel hair color.
For Angelica Tanta, success has always come down to one thing: practice. Originally from Romania, Tanta credits an online mentor from Ukraine—despite never meeting in person and communicating through Google Translate—with inspiring her to perfect her bridal artistry through relentless repetition.
Angela Orozco believes long-term success in the beauty industry is built on trust, consistency and genuine human connection. A stylist at The Nest Salon in Brea, California, Orozco has spent 14 years cultivating a reputation for dimensional brunettes, precision haircutting and authentic relationships that have fueled her career.
Erin Mills believes beauty professionals deserve more than a successful career. A hairstylist turned multi-salon owner, Mills has spent 17 years growing her business while helping her team create lasting impact.
For Mish Jolie (@meltedbymish), success isn't measured by how busy you are, it's measured by how fulfilled you feel. The Connecticut-based stylist, educator and MODERN SALON 100 honoree has built a career around balayage, lived-in brunettes and razor cutting.
Amanda Harsche has built her career on two simple beliefs: never stop learning and never stop connecting.
Whether it's social media, fashion, film, art, or culture, Chaz Dean advises stylists to stay aware of what's inspiring people. Take the elements that make sense for you in these five lessons learned through a life in beauty.
For Jessica Domoney, building a successful career isn't about saying yes to every opportunity, it's about protecting your time, investing in yourself and creating an experience clients won't forget.
Transformation artist Melissa Dawn has spent more than two decades building a career that's equal parts creativity and business strategy. Dawn is known for dramatic transformations, creative color and a philosophy that encourages beauty professionals to keep learning, set healthy boundaries and define success on their own terms.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked artists what made them niche down and select a specialty. Amelia Fugitt (@ameliahairmakeup) says choosing to focus on transformations has transformed her career.
In this content series, we're focusing on artists who found a niche that really speaks to them and work for their career. Henry "Tribes" Amoloja (@theweightedcape), is based in Dallas, TX, and practices sensory-friendly barbering.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked artists what made them niche down and choose a specialty. Texas-based artist Kimberly Michelle has always loved focusing on healthy hair and scalp, and headspa rituals was a natural evolution.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked these artists what made them niche down and choose a specialty. See Caidy Brasure's perspective on specializing in editorial and special occasion styling.
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked these artists what made them niche down and choose a specialty. See Shonda Harvey-Gayle's perspective on specializing in extensions.
