About Kiley
NOrthern VA Makeup artist
Some passions find you when you least expect them. For me, it happened under stage lights.
As a musical theatre performer in the New York and New Jersey area, I fell in love with the art of transformation — though it was the heavy, theatrical stage makeup that quietly shaped my truest conviction: that the most beautiful version of someone is always, undeniably, themselves. That belief has guided every brushstroke of my career.
For over two decades, I have had the privilege of working as a professional makeup artist across beauty, bridal, film, and television — refining my craft under the mentorship of some of the industry's most respected artists, including James Vincent, Kristina Gasperas, Terri Tomlinson, Danessa Myricks, Ashley Fierro, and Rachel Lusk.
My work has been featured in Washingtonian Weddings, Washington Family Magazine, and The Ampersand Magazine, as well as on the Emmy Awards (Capital Region), NASA, The 700 Club on CBN, DCW50, Everyday Wealth with Soledad O'Brien and Jean Chatzky, and Miss Virginia Teen USA, a division of the Miss Universe Organization.
What I am most proud of, however, cannot be captured in a publication or on a screen. It lives in the quiet moment a bride sees herself for the first time and simply glows. It is in the client who says — with unmistakable relief — "I actually look like me." Those moments are what over 100 five-star reviews and twenty years in this industry are truly made of.
When I am not perfecting complexions or sanitizing brushes, you will find me lost in a good book, baking something from scratch, hunting for treasures at an antique market, or traveling somewhere new — always alongside my family and our beloved miniature poodle, Hermes.
If you are searching for a makeup artist who will celebrate your natural beauty rather than obscure it, I would be truly honored to connect.
Work with Me
My Timeline
where I've been
2013
I moved to Northern Virginia and began working in the DMV region!
2012
Back to work after Baby #2
2011
I took another brief hiatus as my second child was born
2008
Back to work after Baby #1
2006
I took a brief hiatus as my first child was born!
2004
I began working professionally in the Rockbridge County area as a Makeup Artist
2003
Wedding Bells!
My husband and I tied the knot in Hawaii and enjoyed our honeymoon in California!
2002
I enrolled in makeup classes during college and started doing stage makeup.
Just as a painter evokes emotion with every brushstroke, I enhance a client’s natural beauty to reflect their individuality. The harmony and rhythm of classical music guide my process, helping me create balanced, timeless looks that feel effortless and artful.
classical Art & Music
Like architecture, makeup combines form, texture, and design to create beauty with intention. The attention to detail, balance, and interplay of light and shadow in buildings inspires how I enhance natural features and highlight each client’s unique beauty.
Architecture
The timeless elegance of icons like Jackie Kennedy, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and Audrey Hepburn inspires my approach to beauty and fashion. Their understated, minimalist style encourages me to create looks that are sophisticated, natural, and centered on each client’s unique features.
classic Fashion & Beauty
The storytelling and transformative nature of theater influence my work as a makeup artist. It reminds me that makeup is not about excess or drama, but about intention—enhancing natural beauty while thoughtfully supporting the story being told.
Theatre
Each story invites exploration of new ideas and perspectives, reinforcing my belief that makeup—like the written word—is a powerful form of self-expression.
Literature
Fragrance evokes emotion and memory, shaping the overall beauty experience. The layered notes of a scent can influence the mood of a makeup look, guiding my creative choices. Much like fragrance, makeup has the power to elevate confidence and express individuality.
Fragrance
Six
Film inspires me through its ability to tell stories visually. It reinforces my belief that makeup is not simply about beauty, but about creating looks that support narrative, emotion, and presence.
Film
Seven
Nature inspires me through its color, texture, and quiet beauty. The tones found in flowers, landscapes, and natural elements inform my palettes and techniques, guiding me toward looks that feel organic, effortless, and authentic. This connection encourages me to celebrate individuality in every client.
Nature
Eight
Travel inspires my work through exposure to new color palettes, textures, and approaches to beauty. The styles and traditions I encounter broaden my perspective, reminding me that beauty is a universal language—one that transcends borders and cultures.
travel
Nine
The enduring beauty of royal style—from classic queens to modern royals—inspires my approach to makeup. Their ability to enhance natural features with confidence and restraint encourages me to create looks that feel polished, timeless, and quietly confident.
