SUCCESS STORY

Amarie Knight:
From Makeup Maven to Model Extraordinaire

By Guillaume Jean Lefebvre

Amarie Knight, originally from Toronto, Ontario, is a multifaceted artist who has made significant strides in the beauty and fashion industry. Growing up, she was deeply influenced by her mother, who instilled in her a love for beauty and style. This early exposure led Amarie to explore various artistic mediums, including ballet, tap, hip hop, and African dance, during her formative years.

Her passion for art and creativity continued to flourish, evolving from sketching to makeup artistry, where she found her niche. Amarie embarked on her professional journey as a freelance makeup artist, providing services from her home studio. Her talent and dedication quickly garnered attention, leading to her first makeup and modeling job shortly after.

Seeking to enhance her skills and knowledge, Amarie pursued formal education in esthetics, graduating with a diploma and further solidifying her expertise in the beauty industry. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, she persevered and achieved significant milestones, including her first dedicated photoshoot as a model in the summer of 2023.

Amarie's career breakthroughs have not only showcased her versatility as a model but also highlighted her creative vision and professionalism as a makeup artist. She has been featured in magazines, gracing covers and editorials, marking a transformative journey from being camera-shy to a confident, front-page model.

Balancing her professional and personal life, Amarie continues to seek new opportunities and collaborations, aiming to model for renowned brands like Fenty by Rihanna and eventually launch her own cosmetic line and loungewear collection. With a graceful yet determined approach, she aspires to be perceived as a versatile and reliable model, capable of contributing creatively to every project she undertakes. Amarie Knight stands as a testament to the limitless possibilities that come with passion, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence in the beauty and fashion world.

BIOGRAPHY

1.What inspired you to pursue a career in the beauty and fashion industry, and how has that journey evolved over time?
I was an awkward kid, very shy, reserved, and kept to myself. I was never one who liked to be in the spotlight. But I used to watch behind-the-scenes interviews of celebrities who inspired me. Seeing that they could often be just as shy or nervous made me feel like I could one day do that too. I was attracted to their beauty. Over time, I found ways to express myself through art with makeup, tattoos, and piercings. In doing so, I found newfound confidence in putting myself in the spotlight. I grew to want to be in the spotlight, partly because, growing up, I didn’t see many people who looked like me in beauty or fashion stores, magazines, billboards, or any form of mainstream entertainment.
There’s nothing better than simply being yourself.

2.Growing up in Toronto, Ontario, how did the city influence your upbringing and creative journey?
I believe growing up in Toronto had a major impact on my creative journey, as this is a very creative city. Everywhere you go—from being on public transit to walking around downtown—there is public art everywhere. We have art events and exhibits all year round. I feel that Toronto really embraces the arts. Because I have a natural gift for creativity, the city continuously feeds into my artistic drive.

3. Who were your major influences during your childhood, and how did they shape your artistic interests?
I think my biggest influence to this day would have to be fairy tales and Disney movies. There’s something about how far you can expand your imagination and create a whole other world, with things only you can see in your mind’s eye. Allowing myself to feel and flow, there’s no limit to art—from sketching to makeup and modeling.

4. How did you transition between different art forms, and what kept your passion alive?
I see myself as an artist. Since I believe there’s no limit to art, I flow into other forms unselfconsciously. The world is my canvas, whether it’s taking a photo of beautiful scenery and painting it or finding key colors in that photo to create a makeup look inspired by it. Modeling gives me the chance to find art in my physical being. New ideas are constantly keeping my passion alive.

Photographer, Creative Director, Wardrobe Stylist, Retoucher: Michael Nash @michaelnashphotographer
Model, Hair and Make-Up Artist: Amarie Knight - @amariejustine

5. Can you share your experiences starting out as a freelance makeup artist and how it led to your first professional opportunities?
My first experience as a freelance makeup artist came from practicing on my friends and charging a small fee for graduation photos, school dances, and performances. I practiced various eyeshadow looks, color matching, and blending techniques, which then led to my first ad on Kijiji. My parents made a deal with me that if I booked one person through that ad, I could finally build a makeup kit. I did just that. I had my very first client and then built a makeup kit. After about two weeks of running my ad online, I was contacted by African Fashion Week Toronto, where I had the pleasure of working on a variety of models as a makeup artist and had my first-ever modeling experiences.

6. What motivated you to pursue formal education in esthetics after initially being self-taught in makeup artistry?
I lived with my Nanna at the end of high school and into college. She was an English professor, so school and post-secondary education were very important to her. Although at first I was adamant about not going to school, I gave in to Nanna’s persuasion after taking a look at the aesthetics program at Algonquin College. I’m very happy she pushed me to pursue formal education in the aesthetics industry. Having that education has opened so many other doors that I didn’t think about at the time of college applications. It’s expanded my creativity.

7. Reflecting on your professional journey, what were the pivotal moments that significantly impacted your career?
I believe my very first shoot as a model—which was with the photographer on this editorial—was the pivotal moment in my career. That shoot opened my mental doors to newfound creativity and expression of myself. It’s given me a new drive and discipline and makes me want to push harder. Doing my own hair and makeup and then being in front of the camera showed me what it’s like to be a person in my chair getting makeup done and then to be the model. It gives me a diva feeling. So now, whether I’m doing makeup for a model or for a birthday celebration, I want everyone not just to look good but to have that diva feeling. Your outfit could kill, but without great hair and makeup, you won’t get that diva feeling, which nothing can beat.

INTERVIEW

3. Who were your major influences during your childhood, and how did they shape your artistic interests?
I think my biggest influence to this day would have to be fairy tales and Disney movies. There’s something about how far you can expand your imagination and create a whole other world, with things only you can see in your mind’s eye. Allowing myself to feel and flow, there’s no limit to art—from sketching to makeup and modeling.

4. How did you transition between different art forms, and what kept your passion alive?
I see myself as an artist. Since I believe there’s no limit to art, I flow into other forms unselfconsciously. The world is my canvas, whether it’s taking a photo of beautiful scenery and painting it or finding key colors in that photo to create a makeup look inspired by it. Modeling gives me the chance to find art in my physical being. New ideas are constantly keeping my passion alive.