Meet Jessica Thomas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Thomas. 

Hi Jessica, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Ever since I learned how to do my makeup, I always played up my eyes as my focus feature. My go-to beauty look then (and still is now) is a soft neutral smokey eye with a winged liner and a wispy tapered lash. My love for eyes not only grew within my own looks but also within my artistry as a professional makeup artist. The eyes are the window to the soul and have such a large ability to transform a look entirely. To me, makeup is an art form of creative expression that should make people feel beautiful, sexy, confident, and most of all empowered! In the lash industry, it is a struggle to find a lash to compliment every look. A lot of times, I would cut lashes up and piece them together or double/triple up my lashes, put them on the opposite eyes to give a reverse tapered effect, or even take individuals and build my own lash just to achieve the overall look. I even furthered my beauty education by becoming lash extension certified purely for the knowledge of how to lash map for various eye shapes to continue to create and customize the lashes of my wildest dreams! As an idea-turned-passion project, I finally decided to take the next step in my eyes and lash obsession by utilizing my lash certifications as well as my degrees in business and engineering to create Bombshell Beauty by Jessica Thomas with the hopes of catering to all the lash lovers as well as inspiring the next generation of makeup creatives! 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been far from smooth for me to balance my makeup artistry career, school work as well as starting a business from the ground up. The hardest part of my journey has definitely been taking a step back from live events, meet & greets, and vendor events with Bombshell Beauty due to Covid. As unexpected Covid was for my business in terms of canceling events and showcases, I did not let it stop me from connecting with my customers. Once restrictions relaxed a bit, I was able to put out a 1-minute promotional commercial campaign via social media for the launch of The Supermodel Collection featuring local Cleveland models and videographers. I also utilized my time in Covid to marry my two professions in makeup artistry and engineering by rolling out some new digital services and tools to aid in my overall customer experience. I plan to launch these by the end of 2022. This year, however, on my journey back to more live interaction with my customers face to face, I am planning to return to live events as a beauty sponsor this summer for the Fashion Talks runway show on June 19th, 2022 at The Cleveland Museum of Art. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
One thing that sets me apart from others is that I am not just a makeup artist with a beauty brand. I am also an engineer and an MBA graduate. I fell in love with makeup artistry by accident by first learning to do my own face and then realizing my purpose in uplifting, educating, empowering, and inspiring through my artistry and lashes brand. I think with my background in engineering as well as business and management, I have been able to cross-promote all of those skillsets within Bombshell Beauty. From the creation of my very first lash, I made it my business to find the very best band possible that would not only give durability but also flexibility and after many iterations and samples, I was able to utilize my engineering skillsets to develop a cotton flex-band technology that not only prolongs the life of lashes but also provides a comfortable fit for the eye! 

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
The best advice I can give to anyone is to follow your heart. I think sometimes as people, we are so sure about who we are and our purpose, and what we are passionate about but in reality, people naturally gravitate towards what is meant for them. I am a huge believer in fate and almost recite this saying each day: “What is for you, will always be for you”. Trusting in yourself and your process no matter what will always show you the way on your journey through life. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bombshellbeauty.company
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bombshellbeautyofficial/

Image Credits
Amelia Candelaria
Christiana McCarthy
Argisa Deda
Fashion Talks
Lindsey Poyar
Rachel Martin
Corey Embring
Mynyon Shadie
Roderick Jackson
Tamia Cochran
Donavon Gaines