In a beauty landscape that’s constantly shifting, few artists manage to stand out—let alone build an empire rooted in authenticity, intention, and undeniable talent. Justin Douglas has done both with grace and grit. His signature “soft glam with a pop” has illuminated red carpets, major productions, and some of entertainment’s most recognizable faces. But what sets him apart isn’t just his technique—it’s his philosophy. For Justin, every face is a story, every moment is alignment, and every opportunity is a chance to expand not only the look, but the legacy. From the release of his new book Soft Glam, Real Talk to the success of his IMDb-archived Motivational Mondays series, Justin continues to elevate beauty into conversation, culture, and community. Now, he opens up about the evolution of glam, the discipline behind the brand, and the blueprint for any artist aiming to build longevity in today’s competitive industry.
Mo Clark: Your artistry has shaped the looks of some of the biggest names in entertainment. When you approach a new client, what’s your process for creating a look that feels both camera-ready and true to their personality?
Justin Douglas: When I approach a new client, my goal is always alignment, their personality, their storyline, and the moment they’re stepping into. I study their features, their energy, and even how they move. Then I merge that with what the camera needs: longevity, dimension, and a finish that reads beautifully in motion.
My signature is soft glam with a pop, a balance of polish and authenticity. I want my clients to feel like themselves, just elevated. That approach is what guided my work throughout my career and even inspired my new book, Soft Glam, Real Talk, where I talk about how beauty and identity go hand in hand. Every face is a story. I’m just there to help tell it.
MC: Celebrity glam has evolved dramatically over the years. From your perspective, what trends are elevating the industry right now—and which ones are you glad to see fading out?
JD: Right now, we’re in a beautiful era of skin-first glam, healthy radiance, strategic glow, and dimension that looks great under any lighting. Editorial-soft glam is back, and so is individuality. Artists aren’t copying templates anymore; they’re honoring faces.
What I’m glad to see fading out? The era of over-editing and over-heavy makeup. Texture is allowed to exist again, and that’s refreshing. People are embracing makeup that moves, breathes, and has personality.
That shift is a huge part of why I started my series Motivational Mondays, to talk about authenticity in beauty, business, and life. Season 1 just officially wrapped and is now archived on IMDb, which still feels surreal.
MC: Many artists can do makeup, but very few can build a brand and a reputation that lasts. What moments or decisions do you credit for helping you break through in such a competitive space?
JD: Honestly, discipline and reinvention have been my biggest breakthroughs. Saying yes to opportunities before I felt “ready,” and showing up consistently, even when life was chaotic.
Another defining moment was realizing that I wasn’t just creating looks; I was creating a name. That mindset shift led me to build my digital footprint intentionally. Today, my artistry, my book, and my Motivational Mondays series are all part of a unified brand.
And archiving that body of work on IMDb, right alongside major productions I’ve worked on, was a huge realization that what I’m building has longevity. I’m not just doing makeup, I’m building an empire in beauty, media, and storytelling.
MC: You’ve been trusted with red carpets, photo shoots, and major productions. What’s one behind-the-scenes beauty challenge you’ve faced that people would never guess from the final photos?
JD: People would never guess how much of glam is actually problem-solving in real time. I’ve had moments where the lighting changed last-minute, the weather turned humid, or talent arrived with a completely different vision than what we planned.
One of my biggest challenges was navigating high-pressure continuity on sets, especially on productions like The Braxtons and Love & Hip Hop Atlanta. Cameras catch everything, so I’ve had to adjust a full glam look in seconds while staying calm and making sure the artist or cast member still feels confident.
But that’s the magic of what we do, you pivot, you adapt, and the final photo looks effortless even when the process wasn’t.
MC: For young artists looking to follow in your footsteps, what skills or business principles do you feel are essential for longevity in today’s beauty industry?
JD: You need more than talent, you need discipline, professionalism, and brand identity. Learn the craft, absolutely, but also learn how to show up, how to communicate, how to build relationships, and how to create a digital presence that speaks for you when you’re not in the room.
Two principles I swear by are:
- Consistency builds trust.
- Your name is your brand, protect it.
That’s why my journey spans makeup artistry, authorship, and media. Everything I create, from my book to my Motivational Mondays episodes, is designed to inspire artists to think bigger than their brushes.
Longevity comes when your artistry, your character, and your purpose all align. Thus The Justin Douglas brand.
At the heart of Justin Douglas’ rise is a simple truth: he never stopped choosing purpose over perfection. Whether he’s crafting camera-ready moments, coaching artists through his Motivational Mondays, or pouring his wisdom into Soft Glam, Real Talk, Justin leads with intention, humility, and a genuine love for people. His story is a reminder that beauty isn’t just created on the surface — it’s cultivated through discipline, character, and the courage to evolve. And as he continues to build a brand that blends artistry, authorship, and media, one thing becomes clear: Justin isn’t just shaping faces. He’s shaping the future of beauty, one authentic connection at a time.