Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren D’Amelio Ventre.
Lauren, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My love for beauty began with watching my mother do her makeup each morning. I admired her beauty and was fascinated by that daily ritual. By sixth grade, my best friend’s mother owned a salon, and we spent a lot of time there. I loved the creativity, the people, and the energy. Even then, it felt like a world I wanted to belong to.
School was a very different experience. I have dyslexia and was taught in smaller classroom settings. I wasn’t one of the cool kids. I was often picked on because I couldn’t read or learn the way other students could. A teacher once told me that my dyslexia was so severe that I wouldn’t amount to much in life. Hearing that at such a young age stayed with me.
But books by makeup artists like Kevyn Aucoin, Eve Pearl, and Bobbi Brown held my attention. Reading was difficult, yet these were books I would willingly sit down and try to work through. I studied the pictures and practiced the techniques on myself. Eventually, other girls started complimenting my makeup and asking me to do theirs for school dances. Makeup became a creative and emotional outlet, but it also helped me make friends after years of feeling like an outsider.
At 15, I started working in salons as an assistant. In high school, I learned about a vocational program in Morris County that would allow me to spend half the school day studying cosmetology. I begged my mother to let me pursue it. We even had to write a letter asking for me to be considered for admission. Thankfully, I got in, and at 18, I graduated at the top of my cosmetology class. After struggling in school, that accomplishment changed how I saw myself and my future.
One of my earliest salon clients gave me another experience I’ll never forget. When I finished her makeup, she looked in the mirror and began crying. I was mortified. I thought she hated it and worried I might lose my job. Then she turned to me and said, “I’ve never felt so beautiful in my entire life.”
That moment helped me understand the impact this work could have. Makeup had already helped me find confidence and connection. Now I could help someone else experience a feeling she had never had before. That became a huge part of why I loved this industry.
At 18, I also volunteered to do the models’ makeup at a fundraising fashion show. Afterward, Kathy Wakile, who was on The Real Housewives of New Jersey at the time, approached me and asked if I had done the makeup. When I said yes, she asked if I would do hers. That conversation was pivotal. It opened the door to celebrity clients and became my introduction to makeup for television and film.
Around that same time, I began working for MAC Cosmetics. I spent years hustling between MAC, salon work, college, and my personal clients. Retail was an incredibly important foundation. I learned to work with all skin tones, skin types, and genders, and to listen carefully to what clients wanted, understand their needs, and recommend the right products.
MAC also brought one of my most important mentors, Fatima, into my life. She came to me for makeup appointments and saw potential in me beyond the retail counter. She took me under her wing and taught me the business behind beauty: contracts, pricing, professionalism, and how to think about building a career of my own. She gave her time and knowledge without expecting anything in return. I will always be grateful for that.
My parents initially encouraged me to choose a different career path. They wanted me to have financial stability, and at the time, they didn’t see makeup artistry as a career that could provide that. Continuing my education after cosmetology school was important to them, so while building my beauty career, I attended Berkeley College in Paramus, New Jersey, and earned my associate degree in interior design.
As my client base grew and I took on more work, I began earning an income that exceeded what my parents had imagined was possible in beauty. I sustained that success over multiple years, which helped them understand that this passion could support a serious, financially rewarding business. It took an enormous amount of work, but I was building the future I had believed in.
For years, I wasn’t sure how I would use my interior design degree. That changed after I met my husband, Sal, a luxury real estate broker here in New Jersey. I’ve since designed all three of our homes, along with the properties we’ve flipped together. What once felt like a separate path has become another meaningful way to use my creativity—and something we get to share as a couple.
My decision to leave retail came after a visiting trainer questioned why I was “striping” while I was contouring a client. Highlighting and contouring had been passions of mine from early on. I remember learning much of my approach from a Scott Barnes book, and I loved how light and shadow could sculpt and elevate the face.
That comment became my breaking point, and I left retail that day. I’m grateful for everything MAC taught me, but I knew I wanted the freedom to develop my own artistry. Ironically, I later became known as the “Contour Queen” because of that very passion. Leaving taught me that I could respect other people’s experience while still trusting my own creative judgment.
After MAC, I had the opportunity to teach at Artist Makeup Academy, or AMA. I worked day and night, teaching full classrooms of talented artists and helping them develop their skills. I especially wanted to encourage the students whose styles were different. I knew what it felt like to stand out, and I wanted them to see individuality as something worth developing. I would remind them that trying to become someone else would keep them from discovering what they could bring to the industry themselves.
By 24, I was taking on more weddings independently and building a small team of friends from the industry. In 2017, I established D’Amelio Cosmetics LLC and continued growing our luxury bridal hair and makeup business.
Today, my core team includes more than 30 hair and makeup artists, selected from hundreds of artists across the tri-state area. Talent and professionalism matter enormously, but so do kindness, empathy, and compassion. I was fortunate to work for people who treated me well, and I wanted to build a business where that same care extended to our clients and each other.
My work as the lead artist and hair and makeup facilitator for Miss New Jersey USA and Miss New York USA has also allowed me to build a broader network of more than 200 talented beauty professionals for pageant services.
Over the years, I’ve worked with thousands of brides, reality television personalities, prominent beauty influencers, and major brands. I’ve worked fashion weeks and bridal fashion weeks, and my career has taken me around the world to places I once could only have imagined visiting. My work and expertise have appeared in publications including Vogue, People, NYLON, Martha Stewart Weddings, and New Jersey Bride. I’ve also been recognized on the Loverly List for three consecutive years.
Through The Art of Enhancement, my beauty and business education platform, I’ve educated thousands of makeup artists worldwide. I teach demonstrations, hands-on classes, and business courses, and I’ve mentored artists whose careers I’ve had the privilege of watching flourish. Remembering how difficult learning once felt for me makes that especially meaningful. If you had told my sixth-grade self that I would one day teach thousands of artists and contribute my expertise to major publications, I would have struggled to believe you.
I believe much of what has come into my life has grown from how I treat people, alongside my artistry and professionalism. I love seeing people happy and watching them grow. So many people helped me without expecting anything back, and I want to pay that forward.
This career has also involved pressure, setbacks, and difficult decisions. A wedding is one of the biggest days of someone’s life. Television appearances and red carpets carry their own high stakes. You have to bring preparation, consistency, and care, even when things are stressful.
Today, at 35, I’ve spent more of my life in the beauty industry than outside it. I’m also a mother to my six-year-old son, Salvatore, and my three-year-old daughter, Valentina. There have been seasons when I’ve stepped back professionally to be present for them, and I’m grateful to have built a business that allows me to make those choices. I now personally accept only one or two brides per month, focusing my energy on education, supporting my team, developing my products, and, above all, my family.
My next chapter is LA VE DA, my cosmetics line launching in 2026. I’ve been working on it for years, drawing on everything I’ve learned as an artist, educator, and someone who has spent countless hours understanding what clients and professionals need from their products. Creating my own line is a deeply personal milestone.
Looking back, being underestimated gave me an early determination to prove people wrong. Today, my motivation is bigger than that. I want to create work I’m proud of, be present for my family, and help other people recognize their potential. The girl who struggled to read found a future through the books she refused to put down. I hope sharing my story encourages someone else to keep going toward the thing they love, even when other people can’t yet see where it might take them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I always describe this career as a roller coaster. Sometimes it’s scary, and you question whether you want to be on the ride anymore. Other times, you’re at the top, full of adrenaline, feeling like the world is at your fingertips. You have to learn how to move through the ups and downs, lean into the turns, and learn from each experience. Even the difficult moments have taught me something I needed to understand.
I poured most of my twenties into building this career. I worked weekdays, nights, weekends, and nearly every holiday, including my birthday. I missed celebrations, time with friends and family, and memories I can’t recreate. I also lost friendships along the way. Some people struggled to understand why so much of my time and energy went into my career instead of social outings. That was painful, because caring deeply about my work didn’t mean I didn’t care about those relationships. But my availability was limited, and that had consequences.
Something people don’t always see is how physically demanding this work is. My kit alone can weigh more than 50 pounds, and then there’s lighting, cameras, a chair, and other equipment to transport. There are incredibly early mornings, long hours on your feet, and days spent bending over clients while doing detailed work that requires your full concentration.
There’s also an emotional responsibility. People often share deeply personal things while sitting in your chair. You become a listening ear and a calming presence, sometimes helping someone navigate nerves or an emotional moment while keeping their morning on schedule. Even on your own hardest days, you’re showing up for someone who may be experiencing one of the most important days of their life. You want to help make it magical.
That combination of physical effort, emotional energy, and long hours has led to burnout more than once in my career. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that taking care of my body, mind, and emotional well-being is part of being able to do my job well. I need rest, recovery, and time to feel like myself. I can serve my clients and support my team more consistently when I’m taking care of my own health, too.
My husband, Sal, has been such an important part of learning that balance. He inspires me every day and pushes me to become the best version of myself, while reminding me to enjoy the life we’re building together. He has been incredibly supportive through the unpredictable schedules, early mornings, long days, and time away that this career can require. Having someone who believes in my goals and understands the effort behind them has meant more than I can explain. He is my rock and our family’s rock, and I’m deeply thankful for him.
Sal has also taught me how to slow down. After spending so many years focused on the next client, the next opportunity, or the next goal, it took time for me to learn how to step away and be present. He has helped me appreciate taking a trip, enjoying a quiet day together, and making memories with our children without feeling that I should always be working. He encourages my ambition and helps me recognize when it’s time to pause. I’m grateful that we get to build a life together that makes room for both our dreams and our family.
I don’t regret the years I spent working so hard. They helped me build a career that now gives me more choice over when I work, which opportunities I accept, and how I spend time with my children. But my advice to younger or newer artists is to establish a healthy work-life balance early. Take opportunities that help you grow, and learn when to say no. Your health, time, and relationships deserve care alongside your career.
Some of the hardest lessons have involved people. I’ve invested time, knowledge, and opportunities in people whose actions later left me feeling deeply hurt. When you genuinely want others to succeed, it can be difficult to accept that the same care won’t always be returned. I’ve had to learn how to remain generous while being more thoughtful about trust and boundaries.
Through those experiences, I’ve tried to stay professional and treat people with respect, even when a relationship ends. This industry is connected, and relationships matter. I want to be proud of how I conduct myself regardless of how someone else behaves. At the same time, being kind doesn’t mean accepting poor treatment or continuing a working relationship that is unhealthy.
Working in a service industry also means managing expectations. I’ve been fortunate to have many wonderful client relationships. I put a lot of effort into listening, communicating clearly, and understanding expectations before an appointment, and that groundwork has helped me avoid many difficult situations.
One of the biggest lessons has been recognizing that an opportunity can look impressive and still be the wrong fit. There are clients, including celebrity clients, I’ve chosen not to work with again because of how they treated the people around them. There are also opportunities I’ve declined because I didn’t feel the working relationship would be healthy. Respect matters to me, regardless of someone’s name or status.
Earlier in my career, I felt pressure to say yes and prove myself. Today, I understand the value of protecting my peace and the environment my team works in. My definition of success now includes choosing work that aligns with my values, supporting my team, taking care of my health, and being present for my family.
For me, the good has always outweighed the bad. The connections, the creativity, the confidence I’ve helped others discover, and the opportunities this career has brought into my life mean so much to me. I’m truly happy that I chose this path and proud that I kept building, even when it was difficult. Having Sal beside me to share those experiences and remind me to enjoy them makes it even more meaningful. After everything I’ve learned and experienced, I still love what I do, and I’m excited about what comes next.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a celebrity and bridal makeup artist, global beauty educator, and founder of D’Amelio Cosmetics and The Art of Enhancement. My work brings together three things I love: creating beautiful makeup, helping people feel confident, and teaching other artists how to build careers they’re proud of.
As an artist, I specialize in dimensional, radiant makeup with thoughtful highlighting and contouring. I became known as the “Contour Queen” because of my love for sculpting the face through light and shadow. I pay close attention to skin, facial structure, placement, and balance, tailoring each application to the person sitting in front of me. I want my clients to look incredible in photographs and feel just as beautiful when they see themselves in the mirror.
My experience spans thousands of brides, celebrity clients, television appearances, red carpets, fashion events, and brand work. Working across those settings has taught me how to adapt. A wedding morning requires an understanding of longevity, photography, timing, and the emotions surrounding the day. Television and red carpet work bring different lighting and production demands. That range of experience informs both my artistry and what I teach.
Something I’m especially proud of is being trusted by some of the beauty industry’s most well-known professionals for their personal makeup, including fellow hair and makeup artists who have chosen me for their wedding days. These are people who understand the craft, know the products, and recognize the details that go into an application. For them to place that trust in me for something so personal is an incredible honor.
Whether I’m preparing a beauty professional for a red carpet, an appearance on camera, or their wedding, I never take that confidence in my work for granted. Knowing that people whose expertise I respect feel comfortable sitting in my chair is one of the most meaningful compliments I could receive.
Through D’Amelio Cosmetics, I lead a core team of more than 30 hair and makeup artists serving luxury bridal clients and clients attending special events. I’ve personally selected artists whose talent is matched by professionalism, kindness, and care. I’m proud that clients can come to us for beautiful work and also trust the people who will be alongside them during such important moments.
Education is another major part of my professional life. Through The Art of Enhancement, I’ve educated thousands of makeup artists worldwide through masterclasses, practical training, online courses, business education, and mentorship. I teach the reasoning behind techniques so artists can make informed decisions on different faces, skin tones, and skin types. I want them to leave knowing how to adapt what they’ve learned to their own clients.
I also teach the business skills that creative professionals need: pricing, contracts, communication, client experience, and understanding the value of their time. Having talent is a foundation, but learning how to support yourself through that talent can change your life. Watching an artist improve their work, gain confidence, and build a flourishing career is one of my proudest accomplishments.
What sets my approach apart is how closely my artistry, teaching, and client care are connected. I’m still a working artist, so my education comes from real experience with real clients. My own experience with dyslexia also makes me attentive to how differently people learn. I explain, demonstrate, and break techniques down in ways that help students understand and apply them, while encouraging them to develop their own style.
I’m also preparing to launch LA VE DA, my cosmetics line, in 2026. It’s a project I’ve been developing for years, informed by the products and tools I’ve used throughout my career and the needs I’ve encountered as an artist and educator. Bringing that experience into a line of my own is an exciting next chapter.
I’m proud of the recognition and opportunities my work has brought me, but I’m most proud of the trust I’ve built with clients, students, and my team. A client telling me she has never felt more beautiful, or an artist telling me that something I taught helped them move forward, stays with me. Those are the moments that make me feel I’m doing meaningful work.
What were you like growing up?
People might be surprised to hear that I was very much a tomboy growing up. I was extremely athletic, and my parents kept me involved in sports throughout the year. I played just about anything you could imagine. Alongside my interest in beauty, I loved being active and doing things with my hands.
My father worked in auto body repair, and he taught me so much about sports. He coached many of my teams, and when he wasn’t coaching, he and my mother were still there cheering me on. They never missed a game. He also taught me how to take a car apart when I was young! I could be fascinated by my mother’s makeup and just as interested in learning how something worked with my dad.
Both of my parents worked full time, and looking back as an adult and a mother myself, I have an even deeper appreciation for how much they gave us. My father would work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in auto body repair, then work at the wine school from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Afterward, he would come home and handle paperwork and bills, making sure our family was taken care of. Watching him work that hard and still show up for us made a lasting impression on me.
My mother was a schoolteacher in Paterson, New Jersey. She worked so hard for her students, believed in them, and brought that same dedication home to my sister and me. She is one of the kindest, sweetest people I know. Growing up with dyslexia wasn’t easy, but she encouraged me to do my best and helped me keep going when school felt difficult. She taught me to respect others and help people whenever I could.
My parents had demanding schedules, but they made time to be involved in our lives. Their presence took effort, and I understand that so much more now. They were working to give us the best life they could while making sure we felt supported in the things that mattered to us. My work ethic comes from watching them, but so does my understanding of what it means to show up for the people you love.
We also spent a lot of time with our cousins, who lived right up the block. Having them so close was a huge part of our childhood. Between my parents, my sister, and our extended family, there was so much connection and time together.
Our traditions gave us memories I still treasure. Every Friday was pizza night, and every Sunday was Sunday dinner. Twice a year, we made wine together, literally in my uncle’s driveway. What started there eventually grew into our own wine school. Those gatherings gave us something to look forward to and helped keep us close as a family.
We didn’t grow up with a particularly luxurious lifestyle, but I’m so grateful for what we had. When I think about my childhood, I remember shared meals, games with my parents on the sidelines, time with my cousins, and making wine together. My parents taught us to appreciate those experiences, work for what we wanted, and take care of each other. Family and faith were at the heart of how they raised us.
Although they initially worried about whether makeup could provide financial stability and wanted me to attend college, they always supported my interests. They bought me the makeup books that I was willing to work through when reading was such a struggle. They encouraged me to keep going and gave me opportunities to explore what I loved. Their concerns about my career came from wanting me to have a secure future.
Being picked on for the way I learned was painful, but the kindness I experienced at home gave me an example of how I wanted to treat people. I knew what it felt like to be excluded, and I never wanted to make someone else feel that way. That still influences how I work with clients, teach students, and lead my team.
Now that I’m raising Salvatore and Valentina, I think often about the example my parents set. I want my children to be grateful, kind, and willing to work for what they want. I want them to be generous while understanding their own needs and boundaries. And I want to create traditions and memories that make them feel as connected to our family as I felt growing up.
More than anything, I hope my parents know how much I recognize and appreciate everything they did. They worked incredibly hard, made time for us, and gave my sister and me values that continue to guide our lives. So much of the person, mother, and business owner I am today began with their example.
Pricing:
- We offer a wide range of services, including bridal and special event hair and makeup, celebrity and production bookings, private lessons, and professional beauty and business education. Pricing varies depending on the service, artist, location, and scope of the booking. For all inquiries, availability, and personalized pricing, please email bookings@DAmeliocosmeticsTeam.com. Our team would love to help you find the right fit for your needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dameliocosmetics.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauren_damelio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.damelio/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lauren_DAmelio
- Other: https://theartofenhancement.com/
