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The Makeup by Kiley Smith

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I'm Kiley Smith, an experienced makeup artist with over 20 years in the industry, based in Fairfax City, Virginia. 
My passion lies in creating natural, radiant makeup looks that enhance your beauty, ensuring you feel confident and stunning with a flawless finish. 

I'm Kiley smith

Hello!

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The first cold snap always shows up on the lips first. One week they feel fine. The next, they are tight, flaky, and catching every bit of lipstick. I see it in my chair every year. Brides, event clients, and lesson clients all ask me the same question: what do I actually use on dry […]

The Best Lip Products for Dry Lips This Fall and Winter

Makeup

Skincare

Future Beauty bronzing milk, Bronze & Glow SPF, and Jelly Pop Lip Stain arranged on a paper background

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Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate code. I only recommend products I genuinely use in my kit and on myself. I’m always searching for products that support my skin-forward approach to makeup, and Future Beauty has earned a permanent spot in my kit. Beyond the formulas, I love the story behind the brand. Future Beauty […]

Why I Choose Future Beauty

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If you’ve sat in my chair for a makeup lesson, there’s a good chance you’ve watched me reach for this one on its own, instead of foundation. Not a primer and not a tinted moisturizer pretending to be skincare. It’s lighter than foundation, and I use it on myself daily. It’s Tarte CC Tinted Serum. […]

Tarte CC Tinted Serum

Makeup

Makeup

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If you’ve ever watched a tutorial, followed every step, and still walked away wondering why your result looked nothing like the one on screen — your skin type is probably the missing piece of the conversation. The products that perform beautifully on one person can slide, cake, or disappear entirely on another, and it has […]

How to Choose Makeup for Your Skin Type

summer bridal makeup Northern Virginia bride

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Let’s be real — summer in the DC metro area is brutal. By late June, temperatures climb into the 90s, humidity hits the moment you step outside, and wedding days run 10 to 12 hours from getting ready to last dance. That’s a lot to ask of anyone’s makeup. The good news? The right preparation, […]

Summer Bridal Makeup: Northern Virginia & DC Guide

Makeup

Makeup

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Every bride has that one image she keeps returning to — saved on her phone, pinned to her board, or simply living rent-free in her mind. And more often than not, it isn’t a dress or a venue. It’s a face. A feeling. A woman who walked into a room and looked effortlessly, undeniably like […]

Your Bridal Makeup Style, According to Your Favorite It Girl

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With FX’s Love Story premiering February 12th, fascination with Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy beauty favorites and her signature minimalism is resurfacing. While the series revisits her iconic romance, it also reminds us of her quietly powerful beauty aesthetic. The allure of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy beauty favorites lies in her restraint. She didn’t rely on heavy glam or dramatic […]

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Beauty Favorites

Makeup

Makeup

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Bloomeffects Sunscreen Favorites for Glowing Skin Bloomeffects is a skincare-forward brand that masterfully combines clean, nutrient-rich formulas with high-performance sun protection. Their products are designed to nourish, hydrate, and enhance natural radiance while keeping skin shielded from daily environmental stressors. When it comes to maintaining luminous, protected skin, these products have quickly become my Bloomeffects […]

Bloomeffects Sunscreen Favorites

Professional makeup artist applying cleansing balm to remove makeup, demonstrating gentle skincare technique

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As a professional makeup artist, I know that beautiful makeup always begins with healthy, clean skin. That’s why I love using cleansing balms to remove makeup. Whether I’m preparing a client’s skin for application or helping a bride remove a full day of glam, cleansing balms are my go-to — and for good reason. Why […]

Why I Use Cleansing Balms to Remove Makeup

Makeup

Skincare

Skincare Tips for Over 40

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As we age, our skin’s needs shift—hormonal changes, dryness, and loss of elasticity can make our old routines less effective. Instead of chasing trends promoted by influencers with flawless, filtered skin, it’s time to focus on simple, effective skincare that truly supports mature skin. Here are my top skincare tips for over 40. The Essentials 1. Keep […]

Skincare Tips for Over 40

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The wedding experience

INquire with Kiley

I specialize in professional makeup services, including bridal makeup, photoshoot makeup, and personalized makeup lessons—some of my most sought-after offerings. I also provide expert makeup for special events, TV, and editorial projects. Explore all of my services here!

Discover my signature wedding experience, crafted to give you flawless, natural, and radiant makeup for your special day. From our initial consultation to the final touch-up, I’m here to provide a luxurious and stress-free experience tailored to your unique vision. Click to learn more!

Ready to bring your vision to life? Whether it’s for your wedding, a photoshoot, or a special event, I’d love to work with you. Click to inquire, and let’s start planning a personalized experience just for you!