Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherray Gibson.
Sherray, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up as a dark-skinned Black girl, I experienced first-hand how limited beauty standards could shape the way you see yourself. In the era I grew up in, darker skin wasn’t celebrated the way it is now, and for a long time I believed makeup was the thing that could make me “pretty.” What started from that warped perception of beauty eventually transformed into a genuine passion and purpose.
I fell in love with makeup in the ‘90s during the height of the iconic MAC Cosmetics era — when being a “MAC girl” was everything. While pursuing professional dance and modeling, I constantly practiced makeup on myself, unknowingly sharpening a skill that would later become my career. It wasn’t until my freshman year at Howard University that I had my very first client, and from there I began realizing makeup could be more than just a hobby.
Even though I always knew I wanted more, I didn’t initially know how to navigate the beauty industry. As dancing and modeling slowly began to fade, I started investing more intentionally into becoming a stronger self-taught artist. At the same time, I spent 20 successful years as both a high school and collegiate dance coach, helping shape and mentor young people through dance and leadership.
Eventually, I made the decision to retire from coaching and fully commit to the business of beauty. A turning point for me was taking a master class with Tyanna Robinson focused on the business side of makeup artistry — learning how to build income, create passive revenue streams, and truly brand myself, especially during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the world slowly reopened and clients began booking beauty services again, I invested in a branding photoshoot and officially stepped into my business with intention and confidence. Today, I’ve been a successful makeup artist for over 15 years and counting. I pride myself on being a change agent in beauty and branding, with a strong eye for enhancing the natural beauty of women rather than masking it.
I also expanded my passion into entrepreneurship with my own cosmetics line, Sugar Blush Cosmetics, which features lashes, glow products, glosses, and velvet matte lipsticks. What once began as insecurity evolved into empowerment — not just for myself, but for the women I now help see themselves differently every day.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a mobile makeup artist is learning how to balance passion with rest and boundaries. Because I genuinely love what I do and care deeply about my clients, I sometimes struggle with saying no — especially when someone is in a pinch or reaches out for a last-minute appointment. I naturally want to accommodate people and make them feel taken care of.
However, being mobile means long days, constant travel, carrying equipment, and pouring energy into every client experience. Over time, I’ve realized that in order to continue showing up at my best creatively and professionally, I have to be intentional about avoiding burnout. I’m still learning that setting boundaries isn’t a weakness — it’s actually a necessary part of sustaining a successful business and protecting the quality of my work.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What I love most about my work is the transference of energy that happens when I meet new clients. Most of my clientele finds me through Google, so many times we’re meeting for the very first time on the day of their appointment. In those moments, it’s important for me to not only understand their vision and level-set expectations, but also create an experience where they feel seen, comfortable, and confident.
I specialize in enhancing a woman’s natural beauty. In today’s world of filters and heavily altered images on social media, I think many women have forgotten that their real beauty is already enough. As a proud 46-year-old woman, I have no desire to look younger — I simply want to enhance what’s authentically there. That philosophy carries into every face I touch. Whether I’m working with a high school student preparing for prom, a woman celebrating a milestone birthday, or a client who is 80 years young, my goal is always the same: to help women feel elevated without losing themselves in the process.
What truly sets me apart is my commitment to creating what I call the elite celebrity “EYEaM Experience.” It’s more than makeup — it’s energy, professionalism, comfort, and connection. I want every client to leave feeling beautiful, valued, and cared for.
What I’m most proud of, though, is the opportunity to meet so many incredible women through my work. Every client interaction leaves something with me. There has never been a time where I met someone who didn’t minister to me in some way, or where I wasn’t able to pour back into them as well. Beauty has become a form of connection and healing for me. I always hug my clients before I leave, wish them well, and genuinely hope our paths cross again.
What were you like growing up?
What an interesting question, because I think I’ve evolved so much over the years. Growing up, I actually wasn’t very extroverted unless I was around people I deeply trusted. In school, I was often the quiet girl with her head down, observing more than speaking. One of the biggest shifts in my childhood came when I transitioned from Catholic school to public school around the fifth grade. It was definitely a culture shock for me at the time, but looking back, it became one of the greatest blessings in my life because many of the friendships I formed during that transition are still some of my closest friendships today. Those friends have seen every version of me through the years, and now at 46, I truly feel like I’ve finally stepped fully into who I am.
Growing up, my parents kept my two sisters and me heavily involved in dance, and that became such a defining part of my life. I started dancing at seven years old and continued throughout high school before eventually joining a professional dance company in my mid-twenties. Through dance, I had the opportunity to tour and perform across the United States, perform behind special artists, and even earn movie credits, including appearing in the original “Step Up” movie with Channing Tatum. Dance gave me discipline, confidence, creativity, and a sense of purpose long before I realized those same qualities would carry over into entrepreneurship and beauty.
That passion eventually evolved into coaching, where I spent 10 years coaching at the high school level and another 10 years coaching at the collegiate level. Even after retiring from coaching, dance continues to be part of my life through judging multiple dance competitions as a seasoned judge. When I look back, I realize that whether it was dance, coaching, or makeup artistry, I’ve always been drawn to spaces where I could inspire confidence, create connection, and help people feel seen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.eyeamsherray.com
- Instagram: @eyeamsherray
- Facebook: @eyeamsherray
- Other: Www sugarblushcosmetics.com
