Meet Peggy Mackey: Celebrity Hair and Makeup Artist

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

Hi Peggy, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have never shied away from taking risks. I have learned from an early age that taking risks is really was grows you and helps to make you whole the most. In my business, it is essential. I had a very steady, full time job with benefits,etc within the creative world. I decided that I wanted to work for myself when many around me thought that was absurd. Now, I have built my reputation up where I work with celebrities, many big networks and can still be a wife and mom. This past year I worked with one of my childhood inspirations,Michael Jordan for the Netflix show The Last Dance.I feel like I am living a dream. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My childhood was very,very difficult. I remember being told by my mother that I would be lucky to flip burgers at McDonald’s. I was raised without any confidence or tenderness. She was not inspirational to any of my siblings,siblings, I didn’t take it personally.In order to cope with the circumstances that I had to deal with,I would dream about art. It was my escape. I would study old Hollywood makeup and hair. I would think about how I could duplicate looks. I would do my best to learn from great makeup artists like Whitey Snyder,Kevin Aucoin,etc. So,for me,there was really no other industry that I could see myself in. I put myself through school and thought if only I could do makeup for a tv program or a commercial I would have achieved all of my goals. One thing to realize,there is a lot of rejection along the way.. This is not an easy business to break into especially when you don’t know anyone. I would take any job just to get my hands on brushes and play around achieving more and more experience.. I remember the first little commercial I worked on like it was yesterday.I have never lost that twinkle in my eye for my art. Every day that I go to work,it is like that first job. I am so blessed to do what I am so totally passionate about, and I go into every project with that in mind. Art is a part of my personal and professional life. realize, is ingrained into my personality. I think about it constantly. My artform is as essential as a heartbeat to me. I thrive on new challenging projects.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of the perks of living in Boca Raton is having Miami and Palm Beach easily accessible. Everyone knows that I love to drive.. so driving 45minutes to an hour to go somewhere is nothing but pure bliss for Me! When friends viait,visit, know I can plan a full week or two for them! I find so much inspiration in wildlife and nature. I always like to share my favorite spots with friends visiting. Panther Ridge Conservation Center and McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary are such great places to admire wildlife while giving back to it as the proceeds go to helping support these animals who (a lot of times )have been abused in their past. On the way back we can stop at Wellington where my 3 favorite restaurants are Mole,Papa Chulo, and Don Cheppos. I love to bring my friends with kids to Lion Country Safari in Palm Beach which also participates in a program that helps ensure the survival of different wildlife species. Prior to covid you could feed giraffes,goats,lamas, and other animals. An must is also stopping in at the Chesterfield for high tea!! I have to offer one fancy outing!Of course you can’t come to Florida with going to the beach and enjoy some down time with sand between your toes.Boca Raton has beautiful beaches . I have to always bring visitors to Boca Museum of Art and a great spot not too far away called Farmhouse Kitchen with healthy organic food. The days that I would spend in Miami I always have to plan a trip to the Perez Art Museum,Wynwood Walls is another favorite! Vizcaya is another spot I absolutely love from the beautiful artistically designed mansion to the beautiful grounds. You can look anywhere here and see absolutely planned beauty!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Knowing God is going to put the right people in my life at the right time has given me the confidence to take risks that maybe I would have talked myself out of without my faith in Jesus. Also, I am fortunate to go through my life with a husband who believes in me and my skills. He has supported me through my ups and downs along with other family members as well.. I have also received support through my “creative family” as well. It is so important to have these relationships. I spend 14 hours a day with them sometimes. So,the crews I’m working with do become part of my family. They understand the little things on a job that maybe people not in the industry wouldn’t.

Website: Www.peggymackey.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/Peggymackeybeauty
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-mackey-87965135
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/peggymackey
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PEGGYMACKEYHAIRANDMAKEUP

Image Credits
The first and third photographer is Craig Ambrosio,