A Life of Love and Beauty

A Life of Love and Beauty

CELEBRITY MAKE UP ARTIST SHENELLE MAYS-SMITH ’01

Growing up in Harlem with a love for the arts, celebrity makeup artist Shenelle Mays-Smith’01 knew from an early age that her career path would never lead her to a typical nine-to-five job. After graduating from Storm King and studying Theater Arts in college, Shenelle’s life as a celebrity makeup artist is far from typical. Today, she is a beauty consultant of choice for celebrities and models on the national and international stage. Her talent and passion for her craft have brought her around the world and her work can be seen on red carpets, runways, awards ceremonies, and photo shoots in the USA, Europe, Asia, and the Far East. Alongside her success, this artist, beauty expert, industry leader, CEO, wife, and mother remains humble, and credits her alma mater with introducing her to the world; teaching her to dream, reach outside her comfort zone, and take risks.

Shenelle & SKS student Emily Elizabeth Kent ’21 during Career Day 2018

A COLORFUL CHILDHOOD

With New York City as her playground, Shenelle Mays-Smith was already fascinated by Broadway Theatre and backyard dance companies when she arrived as a sophomore at Storm King in 1998. “I was raised in Harlem by my mother and my grandparents. My father, although very involved in my life now, was not around as much. In this setting, I was surrounded by all of the ethnic cultures in New York City–Afro-American, Afro-Caribbean, and Hispanic–and I thrived in the diversity,” Shenelle explains. “As a child, I became a calculated risk taker. I was bold and bright, sensitive and compassionate, and serious and loving. I really don't think I have changed much. I have definitely grown, but these qualities are somewhat innate within me.”

When Shenelle came to Storm King, these same qualities and her love of diversity caused her to fit right in and quickly become a regular in SKS’ theater program and a valued member of the girls soccer team. “My arrival at SKS was very exciting. I am a girl from the east side of Harlem. I was used to being around many different kinds of people and cultures, but my years at Storm King really introduced me to the world. As soon as I arrived on campus, I immediately understood there was a greater universe, even outside Harlem,” she explains. “I was able to discover my love for people. I found that I could befriend and exchange stories with peers from across the world.”

Shenelle's junior yearbook photo 2000

“A’s” AND GOALS AT SKS

Her life at Storm King was also highlighted by trying new things. “I was stretched to my potential at SKS because I was able to try activities I would not normally do and sports I wouldn't normally play, all in a supportive environment. Those who know me know I'm not very athletic. I enjoy movement but I'm not very coordinated. At SKS, I played basketball and soccer. I even wrestled! My goal was never to be the best. The point for me was that I tried something new. What I loved was that my soccer coach, Ms. Janiac, was also my Algebra teacher. With neither area being my strong suit it was indeed difficult. Ms. Janiac was somehow able to integrate the two and stimulate and engage me like never before. By the end of that semester, I was literally scoring both A’s and goals!”

Shenelle also credits Storm King for helping her to define her career path and discover her passions. “I had so many different creative interests, but I lacked focus and direction. Then, I began spending more and more time in the Theater Department. Over time, and with the help of my teachers, I began to realize that the [performing arts] industry as a whole had a spot with my name on it. By the time I was ready to go to college, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to study theater performance and be a part of that world. My time at SKS helped me narrow it all down and focus on developing my craft and the skills I needed,” she continues.

Shenelle’s life as a boarding student at Storm King also helped her succeed after graduation. “To pursue my passion for theater, I decided to enroll at North Carolina Central University. Living on campus at SKS prepared me for my university experiences at NCCU, as well as later at the Regents British American College in London. I embraced culture at Storm King, so when I left, I continued to yearn for it. I was never hesitant to reach out of the box while at college and gain new experiences through travel and education. The confidence SKS instilled in me through personal interaction and guidance from faculty has been a life-changing quality.”

INSPIRED BY FACULTY

It was that same personal interaction and the close relationships with her teachers at Storm King that led Shenelle to discover her true calling–a passion for makeup artistry. In fact, she says it was an SKS faculty member who first inspired her. “When I graduated from SKS, the Theater Department Coordinator at the time, Aynne Ames, gifted me with Sam Fine's book Fine Beauty. In it she wrote “Keep reading, writing, and doing makeup.” I don't remember doing makeup back then, so I think it’s awesome how a teacher can see the possibilities in their students, before the students themselves. I was very inspired by that book, and by my teacher’s message. I still have it. I reference it often and cherish it dearly.” During her college years, Shenelle took the advice of her teacher at Storm King. “Doing all the makeup for the university plays, I eventually found my calling– makeup and aesthetics. I was so passionate about what I was doing I went on to pursue a license as an aesthetician from Lia Schorr in New York City. From working at Sephora in North Carolina to freelancing on national artist teams in the tristate area for Lancôme and Chanel, I knew I would become a celebrity makeup artist,” continues Shenelle.

“Today, I am blessed to be a makeup artist in New York City with an extensive celebrity clientele. My career has afforded me the opportunity to travel to four continents, several countries and countless cities over the past 14 years. I have worked with everyone from A-list celebrities like Paula Abdul, Zendaya, Alicia Keys, Chrisette Michele, Elise Neal, Melanie Fiona, Jasmine Sullivan, and H.E.R as their personal makeup artist, to the everyday bride, or the woman transforming after life's challenges,” explains Shenelle. She has also groomed “A-List” male superstars including Kendrick Lamar and Out- Kast’s Big Boi.

MAKEUP FOR THE STARS

On the international stage, Shenelle’s appointments span throughout the Americas, Europe, South Africa, Japan and Indonesia, She has done makeup for red carpets and stage appearances at the Grammys, Brit Awards, BET Honors, Soul Train Awards, and New York Fashion Week. Her screen credits cover If Loving You is Wrong (Tyler Perry), RnB Divas LA, Blood Sweat and Heels, MTV Making the Band, and Real Husbands of Hollywood. A respected industry leader, her makeup and self-care tips and tutorials have also been featured in the pages of People, Essence, InStyle, and Kontrol magazines.

Looking toward the future, Shenelle plans to do more work in film and television. “This is a new facet of the industry for me. It’s exciting, challenging, and just different; but very rewarding. My most recent work aired on the first two seasons of The CW’s Black Lightning. I'm currently working on location in Memphis, TN, for a new NBC pilot called Bluff City Law.”

Though it may be hard to believe looking at the long list of celebrities she’s worked with, Shenelle insists that her work isn’t about celebrity connections or making headlines. “My focus has always been on serving everyday women and helping them fall in love with their own countenance by highlighting their inner glow,” she explains. “I’m committed to providing my clients with self-care options to optimize their beauty and raise their self-esteem and the possibility of succeeding as they pursue their dreams in a world that often tells them not to be comfortable in their own skin.”

GIVING BACK WITH LOVE

To achieve this goal and effectively reach women beyond super-sized stages, catwalks, and celebrity red carpets, Shenelle partners with Black Celebrity Giving (BCG) each year to beautify women who are impacted by domestic violence. BCG’s annual campaign hosts an empowerment panel which includes makeover sessions meant to uplift participants. She also volunteers to do makeup for Little Miss Black U.S. pageants throughout Georgia.

Currently residing in Atlanta, GA, with her family, life for Shenelle isn’t all about work. On top of her star-studded career, she makes sure to dedicate plenty of time for her husband, Jay, and her two children, Maxwell and Marli Monroe. “Jay and I met at work. He is the tour manager for the Grammy Award-winning artist Chrisette Michele. I am her friend and have been her makeup artist for 10 years. The cool part about our love story is that we met on tour. Every night we were in another state surrounded by awesome experiences and an even better soundtrack.”

Shenelle has also taken the time recently to turn a hobby into a small business–a meal delivery service for seniors of which she is the CEO. “I have always made a hobby of feeding the homeless, the less fortunate, and the food-deprived whenever my time allowed. To be able to do this more effectively and consistently, I started a meal delivery service about a year and a half ago. Feeding those in need is another way of expressing love for mankind,” she explains.

Shenelle & SKS student Emily Elizabeth Kent ’21 during Career Day 2018

ENDLESS HEIGHTS

Just as her love for humanity helped her flourish at Storm King nearly two decades ago, it was this same love of people that brought Shenelle back to the Mountain for Career Night in October 2018. At the event, which was one of the School’s most successful Career Nights in recent history, Shenelle participated as a mentor who shared her professional experiences with our students. In addition, she conducted a Makeup for the Fashion Industry workshop for SKS’ fashion design class. The students were fascinated as she talked about her experiences on the runway and working with famous designers, models, and celebrities while she demonstrated how to use makeup to highlight a particular fashion piece.

“When I returned to Storm King for Career Night, I was so excited– it had been over ten years,” explained Shenelle. “Upon my arrival, my heart warmed and I remembered the reasons why I loved the Mountain and the endless heights it exposed me to. I have been blessed enough to always know what I wanted to do and go after it. I believe that kind of decisiveness is fostered while setting one’s foundation. When you are placed in environments that constantly push you to step outside of your comfort zone at an early age, it prepares you for life. Storm King did just that. It challenged me educationally, physically, emotionally, and socially. It gave me the foundation I needed to pursue my dreams.”