Meet Shenae Harrison | Self Taught Freelance MakeupArtist

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

Hi Shenae, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
I think finally deciding to give my business my all changed the game from me. I would always half step, I was still doing things the same way that got me started not realizing that things with social media are different from when I started in 2015-16. Instagram had new features (reels) and there was also tiktok. When i decided to adapt to the changers and make them my own, thats when things started to come full circle. Where i am now, I should have been here a while back, but did I believe in myself? No! Finally taking that leap and putting myself out there in a different light definitely helped me achieve some things i only dreamed of and talked to my friends about. Never really thought I would be here!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Self Taught Makeup Artist. I think what sets my craft apart from others is that I.m fearless. I’ll try anything once. Even when i’m unsure how to do something, I’ll try it. I also feel like I’m a chameleon. Everything and anything looks great on me.I can do, wear colors, that not many people can. I’m most proud of collaborating with a brand and coming out with my own eyeshadow palette. I’m always excited about everything. Something is on its way now, and Im not sure whats next. But im excited anyway! Getting where I am now was absolutely not easy nor for the faint hearted. The internet is a brutal place. As a black woman with albinism, people have a lot rude, derogatory, and obscene things to say in my comments every single day. I am constantly under a microscope. This is a challenge i still struggle with to this day. Its hard loving yourself out loud. Especially when you don’t look like the average black women. Everyone seems to project their insecurities on to me and it hurts my feelings. Because I know and love who I am, but people who don’t know/love themselves always want to tear me down. I’m learning that people make fun of what they are unsure of/don’t understand just to avoid educating themselves. That its better to continue to love myself and pay people no mind. It makes them feel small when they realize. they can’t disrupt what you got going on for yourself. I want people to know that authenticity paved my way. Being true to who you are is so rewarding. You don’t have to pretend if you just stay true to self. Thats why my brand is Thenaeway. I’m doing this MY WAY. THENAEWAY. Period!

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.
Honestly? I’m from Pittsburgh Pa. Well, I was born here and grew up in Greensboro NC/Atlanta. I tell my friends not to come see me here. I travel to them. For me, theres really NOTHING here. We got promanti bros. a very popular chain restaurant that isn’t all that great. I’;d probably take them somewhere to have drinks in the hood where more of the people who look like us congregate. Maybe a selfie museum, Because those are pretty popular now. If theres an art show or something similar we could do that.

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?
The “Nae-sayers”. The people who don’t really care for me, but they continuously watch my every move. I felt like I always had something to prove and they helped me build resilience. My mom, always been a great support system and I am so grateful for that. She always has my back! Lastly, all the brands that I work with! I really feel like I’m living in my very own dream world! So many people swore I would never, could never. Now look at me! Doing everything I was told I’d never be able to do.

Website: https://www.thenaeway.com/

Instagram: instagram.com/thenaeway_

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thenaeeway_

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheNaeWay