From Side Hustle to Stardom: How Na'Chera Brown Built Her Empire
Written by Mikayla Hunt
When it comes to mastering the art of makeup, Na'Chera Brown’s journey is as rich in history as it is in talent. Her career, filled with bold moves, unforgettable moments, and valuable lessons, is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. From growing up in a family of makeup artists to becoming a trusted name for high-profile clients, Na'Chera's path is paved with dedication — and a few unconventional hacks that might just change your beauty routine forever.
For Na'Chera Brown, makeup artistry isn’t just a career — it’s in her blood. “What inspired me to become a makeup artist was actually my mom,” Na'Chera shared. “My mom has been a makeup artist for 40 years, and her sister as well, so I’m just the next generation in my family.” Growing up in Ocala, Florida, she witnessed firsthand the impact her mother and aunt had as the go-to makeup artists in their community. Weddings, special events — they did it all. Yet back then, makeup artistry wasn’t seen as a viable full-time career unless you worked in production. “It was really more of a side hustle at that time,” she explained. “But while other kids were outside playing in the dirt, I was inside playing with makeup.” Her fascination with beauty and her mother’s polished style fueled her passion. Seeing her mother never leave the house without her makeup done left a lasting impression. That dedication to detail would later become one of Na'Chera’s biggest strengths.
Though her talent bloomed early, Na'Chera’s breakthrough moment came years later when she connected with Bronner Bros., a major haircare company known for its legendary hair shows. “I had been doing makeup for about 10 years before I started working with Bronner Bros.,” she recalled. “I became their creative director and makeup artist for all their billboards.” Her bold, eye-catching makeup designs appeared across promotions for the company’s hair shows, and soon, her work was impossible to ignore. Even without living in Atlanta, her work was so prominent in the city that people assumed she was based there. “I was actually living in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at the time,” she said with a laugh.
Her big break came when reality TV icon NeNe Leakes called her. “She was my first celebrity client,” Na'Chera revealed. “NeNe called me to do her makeup for Denim Magazine, which was led by J. Bolin. After that, she told Cynthia Bailey about me, and the next thing I knew, I was getting calls from everyone.” That moment marked a turning point in her career, and while she insists she’s still “making it,” seeing her older work remain timeless showed her just how far she’d come. “One day, I saw some work I’d done 10 years earlier, and it was still relevant,” she said. “The looks could’ve been published today, and no one would know they were from over a decade ago. That’s when I realized my work had truly made it.”
When it comes to achieving that flawless, airbrushed look, Na'Chera has a few tricks up her sleeve — and they aren’t what you’d expect. “A good facial scrub before foundation goes a long way,” she revealed. By exfoliating the skin beforehand, foundation applies smoother and lasts longer. Another game-changing tip? Changing the way you apply false lashes. “Most people struggle with lashes because they’re looking straight into a mirror,” she explained. “Instead, place a mirror at your chest and look down while applying them. That way, your hand isn’t blocking your view, and the lash goes on easily.” Na'Chera has shared this trick with countless people, and she says it’s a total game-changer. “Every time I show someone this trick, they say, ‘Wow! It works every time.’”
Success didn’t come without bold decisions. Na'Chera’s biggest career leap came when she left a comfortable six-figure corporate job to move to Atlanta and pursue her passion full-time. “I had a good job, and life was very comfortable,” she said. “But I knew that makeup was my calling.” Upon moving to Atlanta, she opened the Omni Makeup Academy, which proved to be a life-changing move. “It was a risk, but it paid off. Now I make two to three times what I was making before — but I didn’t know that at the time,” she said. “I just knew I had to follow my passion.”
In the fast-paced world of celebrity glam, trust is everything — and Na'Chera has mastered the art of building meaningful connections. “The key is to listen more than you speak,” she explained. “High-profile clients see themselves in the people you talk about. If you spill one person’s tea, they’ll assume you’ll do the same to them.” Her approach is simple yet effective: “Be quiet, smile, and let them do the talking. Listening is the cheat code.” This mindset has earned her lasting relationships with major stars like Angie Stone, who she has worked with for over a decade. “She’s like family now,” Na'Chera said warmly. “We trust each other completely.”
Even with decades of experience, some makeup jobs push Na'Chera’s skills to the limit. “The most challenging job I ever did was for a client who was extremely sick,” she recalled. The client had a meet-and-greet with over a thousand fans waiting outside, but she was pale, vomiting, and too weak to sit upright. “She refused to cancel,” Na'Chera said. “So I had to do her makeup with her lying sideways in bed, covered in blankets up to her neck.” The positioning made applying makeup incredibly difficult, but Na'Chera managed to pull it off. “When you see those pictures, you’d never know what was going on behind the scenes,” she said. “She looked flawless, and her fans had no idea she’d been so sick just moments before.”
Despite her hectic schedule, Na'Chera has learned the importance of setting boundaries. “I always find two days a week just for myself, my kids, and my faith,” she shared. Faith plays a significant role in her self-care routine. “My self-care starts with my faith in Christ,” she said. “I’ve also made the decision not to work on Sundays unless it’s for a wedding. I used to work seven days a week, but now I know I need that rest.” This newfound balance has helped her feel in control of her career. “It feels good to know I’m running my career — not the other way around,” she said.
When asked if there’s anyone left on her bucket list, Na'Chera said there’s one name she’s eager to check off. “I’d love to work with Ciara,” she revealed. Given her impressive career, dedication to her craft, and unique ability to connect with clients, it’s safe to say that dream collaboration might be just around the corner.
Na'Chera Brown’s journey proves that with passion, resilience, and a killer makeup hack or two, success isn’t just about reaching the top — it’s about creating a legacy that stands the test of time.
