Beauty x Brains: Kaylee Smisko
Meet Kaylee Smisko. This gorgeous woman has one of the kindest hearts and warmest smiles you will ever come across in life. I have adored her since we first met back in 2017 and I am a big fan of hers for many reasons. She’s an incredibly hard worker who has achieved the dream of two careers that she loves with equal passion: being the beautiful brains behind Kaylee Smisko Makeup Artistry, a gorgeous esthetics studio located in downtown YXE that specializes in waxing, stunning makeup and perfectly-shaped gel nails, as well as the Events Coordinator at The Barn at Wind’s Edge, one of the dreamiest venues around for wedding and special events. She’s also the kind of woman who believes in supporting other women and their passions and investing in her community by shopping local and supporting small business. Considering all that she does on the daily, including being a wife and dog mama, I’m so grateful she had a moment for this interview - my first in the Beauty x Brains series. Kaylee’s got all the details on the best brow bone highlighter, the beauty hack that will reel in the compliments, and the book name that will have us all searching Amazon for a copy. Read our very COVID-responsible interview that obeyed max social distancing regulations ;)
““You are beautiful, she is beautiful, everyone is beautiful...””
Your first beauty influence vs your current beauty influence…
“My first beauty influence was a book I found at Shoppers Drug Mart while shopping with my mom when I was young. It was called “Plastic Surgery without the Surgery”. I was blown away with the Before and After photos and testimonials that showed the true MAGIC of makeup. This is where my obsession for makeup began. I still have the book!”
“My current beauty influences are… everyone around me. If I can find a way to make anyone feel more confident in the most minimal way, that is my goal. EVERYONE is beautiful. My passion is finding a way to help EVERYONE feel that way…without covering them up.”
Iconic beauty product from age 15 vs now…
“My iconic beauty product from age 15 had to be my MAC Studio Fix foundation that comes in a compact with a sponge. This was used by every girl I knew and was perfect for our midday touchups in high school. Still a great product to keep with you on-the-go!”
“My current iconic beauty product is simply: lipstick. Everyone knows that I’m rarely seen without it. It makes me feel confident and walk with a little pep in my step! Lipstick brands I’m loving right now? Pat McGrath — and always a MAC girl.”
Current routine: Day vs Night
“I spend 5 minutes doing my makeup for the day. I start with a quick day time lotion (ALWAYS with SPF!) and then a light coverage foundation, fill in my brows, mascara, cheek colour, and my favourite: DIOR glow lip balm. I love that it’s a moisturizing balm that adds a beautiful pigment to your lips.”
For night… “I love building on top of makeup (as long as it doesn’t look cakey). I add more of everything I had on for the day and maybe amp up the colour choices a bit, depending on the occasion.”
Product you’ve been using the longest and will never replace?
“Mac Nylon eyeshadow. Hands down the best brow bone highlighter. I’ve tried many other shades and brands and nothing quite compares to the buttery shimmer this product provides.”
Best beauty hack?
“When I’m lazy I’ll use my brow powder as liner on my eyelids, apply mascara, and voila! Just because it’s a “brow” powder doesn’t mean you can’t use it on your eyes! Ironically, this is the look I get the most compliments on! Simple, but effective.”
Favorite skin care brand?
“Ouuuu that’s a tough one. I would say my favourite affordable skin care brand is The Ordinary. I love the variety of products they offer for a very, VERY affordable price point. My favourite luxury skin care line is Eminence Organics. Hands down. Organic, huge variety of products, effective and smells amazing. A treat for all of the senses!”
Favorite makeup brand?
“Ohhhh come on!! Just kidding… I would say my values align the most with Glossier and Jane Iredale. They are focused on skin health and skin looking like skin. I love to enhance features, not cover them up.”
Go-to beauty look for a night out (and how you prep)?
“I love prepping with Eminence Organics Lime Stimulating Masque. I learned this trick from a fellow esthetician. The heat from the mask brings the blood to the surface of your skin, making it plump and vibrant! This is how I’d start my routine for a night out. Once my skin has had a chance to cool, and most of the redness is gone, I like to do “the works”. Medium-full coverage foundation, light contour, smokey eye, liner, mascara, false lashes, and - of course - lipstick. Honestly, whatever makes me feel good that day! I like to go by how I’m feeling, as I believe makeup is a way to be creative and represent yourself. I actually find doing a full face of makeup very soothing and therapeutic. Taking the time to put the care into my look is my ‘me time.’”
How has your definition of beauty changed since youth?
“As a child I thought beauty was all about physical features. Oy. I felt like you dressed up or did your makeup for others, whereas now I dress the way I do and do my makeup for MYSELF as a form of expression. I know now that beauty is different to each individual… and I think that is the “beauty” of it.”
What inspires your beauty philosophy?
“Confidence. Giving someone confidence is what inspires me. If I can make someone feel even slightly better about their natural features, I’ve done my job. It deeply saddens me when I hear someone say “Oh I could never pull that off..” Why? Why can’t you pull it off? Who decides that? If it makes YOU feel good, that’s all that matters. Yes, there are guidelines in makeup artistry that are there to help, but they aren’t rules. Makeup is a form of art. If you want to wear a colour that isn’t recommended for your skin tone but it makes you feel like a million bucks and increases your confidence? WEAR IT.”
What advice would you give to teenage you?
“Don’t care what other people think. You are beautiful, she is beautiful, everyone is beautiful. It’s so sad how hard this lesson is!”
What or who inspires you to be your highest self?
“My parents, my husband, some of my employers, other creatives in this industry, and me! I am worthy of more than mediocrity.”
What passions bring you the most joy?
“Cheesy, but so true: my career brings me so much joy. How lucky am I to be able to contribute to someone’s confidence, well-being, and feeling of worthiness every single day? People deserve to be pampered. You deserve to treat yourself. I also get to be a small part of someone’s wedding day, and that is a true privilege!”
“I also love Ukrainian dancing, traveling and cooking (I was a chef in my past life, I swear!).”
““I am worthy of more than mediocrity.””
