Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeleine Lee.
Hi Madeleine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hello! My name is Madeleine Lee, but you can call me Maddy. I am the proud owner of Madlee Beauty Bar LLC, a Hmong women owned business, where I combine my passions as a Makeup Artist and Tattoo Artist right here in the Twin Cities.
My journey began in high school, where I would stay up late watching makeup tutorials on YouTube and practicing in secret. My love for makeup grew during my college years when I worked at Sephora, allowing me to enhance not only my own features but also those of my clients. The joy of helping others feel beautiful by enhancing their natural features, teaching techniques, and sharing my knowledge became my driving force.
After earning my undergraduate degree, I continued my makeup artistry journey while working a full-time job. In 2019, I began specializing in bridal makeup, special events, and makeup lessons. This path led me to expand my skills further, and in 2023, I embarked on a new venture as a tattoo artist.
I am licensed in Minnesota and specialize in Permanent Makeup Brow Tattooing and Fine Line Tattooing. If there’s one thing I never leave the house without, it’s my perfectly groomed eyebrows—a habit that started during the 2016 brow craze which led me to Permanent Makeup Brow Tattoos.
At Madlee Beauty Bar, I am dedicated to making my clients feel their most confident and beautiful. I look forward to continuing to serve the Twin Cities community with my expertise in makeup and tattoo artistry.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a small business owner is challenging yet immensely rewarding. I quickly realized the many roles I needed to fill: accountant, marketing manager, owner, therapist, content creator, and more. Building and maintaining a clientele has its ups and downs, with both slow and busy seasons.
The beauty industry is particularly tough, and distinguishing my services while defining my brand has been a significant challenge. Despite these hurdles, I am excited about the journey of overcoming them. Surrounding myself with like-minded individuals who share similar experiences has been invaluable. A strong support system is crucial in navigating these uncharted territories, and I am grateful for the encouragement and assistance that help me persevere through tough times.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My current services include makeup, permanent makeup brow tattoos, and fine line tattoos. In recent years, I have focused on bridal makeup, though I also offer makeup for special occasions, photography, and lessons.
For permanent makeup brow tattoos, I specialize in the Ombre/Powder brow technique and the Nano-Hybrid or Combo brow look. Each brow service begins with mapping out a shape that suits your unique facial structure and muscle pull, ensuring a look that you love. Once the shape is finalized, I custom mix pigment colors to match your hair, then proceed with the tattoo process.
The Ombre Powder brow technique uses tiny pixels in a light-to-dark gradient, giving the effect of softly filled brows. The Nano-Hybrid or Combo brow technique creates soft, fluffy hair strokes at the front of the brows for added structure and fullness, blended with shading for a naturally filled look.
My fine line tattoo service differs from traditional tattooing by featuring smaller, more delicate lines for a dainty and soft appearance. This service is perfect for clients seeking a refined tattoo look.
My goal is to enhance my clients’ natural beauty while minimizing their daily routines. I take great joy in making others feel beautiful in their own skin and am fulfilled when my clients love the work I do and learn something new in the process.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Whenever I feel a little lost or need to reground myself, I find great joy in watching and listening to Lavendaire. She’s a YouTuber focused on personal growth and lifestyle. If you’re ever in need of a pick-me-up, inspiration, motivation, or a flow of creativity, I highly recommend her content.
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear is a book I’ve recently picked up to help myself! I always strive to evolve in the way I think and do things, and so far, “Atomic Habits” has helped me better understand how to build better habits and improve my mindset.
Keeping a calendar to stay organized and prioritized is essential, especially on busy days with back-to-back appointments. I always keep my calendar up to date with reminders and appointments, both personal and professional, so I can plan my day effectively.
For anyone in the beauty service industry, I strongly encourage you to create a website or booking site to help automate tasks, even the smallest ones. It makes a significant difference during busy days and helps me stay organized and informed about my clients’ appointments. I currently utilize Acuity & Squarespace!
Overall, I highly encourage others to explore the many different podcasts, books, apps, and audiobooks available to help you continuously grow as a person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://madleebeautybar.as.me/schedule.php
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madleebeautybar/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Madlee-Beauty-Bar/100094211887912/
