A lot of life is just going with it, like when someone asked if I wanted to dig a grave in the middle of the desert at 3 AM. Of course I said yes! I had been hiding away in the passenger’s seat of a rental from the tireless onslaught of wind, and I wasn’t ready to reacquaint with it then. I’ll take my chances. So when the door opened and the driver hopped in, I figured why not?

Don’t worry, this was all on set for Nadia Vaeh’s song, “Promise Not to Kill You”, makeup by yours truly!

So there I was, graveside, a few feet away from the rest of the team, completely immersed in such a fun project when the fellow crew member mentioned that his girlfriend was a writer. I thought wow, what a fantastic dream, as if it were some mythical creature. I mentioned my struggles with writing and how I’ve neglected Prettylife, and this person who I just met encouraged me to keep going. I was actively experiencing one creative dream (traveling to Vegas with my longtime friend who dreamed of being a pop singer, and me, who dreamed of being a travel MUA, so we could film a music video that was published by VEVO), so why did the other feel so unattainable?

It may come as a surprise, but makeup is my second love, following writing. I always thought of being a writer as something I couldn’t quite reach–like shimmering light on the ocean waves–yet I’m right there, on shore, wailing about how majestic it is, not realizing I could just actually take a refreshing dive and be in it.

Last week I dusted off Prettylife and revisited what I wrote in 2020. I had some downtime that day while getting fancy for Modern Luxury’s Datebook Charity Social & Gala, and I was floored. A wave of gratitude flowed over me for how far I’ve come and what I’ve achieved!

Since my last entry in 2020, I:

  • made up Millie Bobby Brown both personally and for her brand, Florence by Mills, seeing my work displayed in Ulta locations worldwide
  • was published in Modern Luxury’s JEZEBEL Magazine, and The Atlantan for their annual Datebook issue (thanks to photographer Sara Hanna and the rest of the dream team to achieve some of the most elevated work I have to date)
  • accomplished pursuits with my longtime friend and pop singer Nadia Vaeh by traveling with her for shows and doing makeup for her music video that VEVO picked up and published
  • worked with the best photographers, models, and clients ever
  • connected with amazing people. I am living proof that it’s all in who you know, and connection–with yourself and others–is key.
JEZEBEL Magazine Beauty Feature, photo by Sara Hanna (@atlphotos)
Kindall, by Pedro Rocha (@lateralusphoto)
Millie Bobby Brown for Florence by Mills, photo by Charlie Brown


Wow! Those whimsical photo-quotes you see floating around on Facebook about how you are the person you dreamed of 5 years ago are true. I couldn’t have done it without the endless support from friends, family, clients, and other creatives who helped capture the vision! If you’d like to see more, check out my site!

This journey hasn’t been painless, though. Life is about learning and growing, and growth hurts! These past few years, I’ve felt the discomfort and loss of letting go of relationships, but all that did was make space to blossom new, flourishing relationships that transcend my imagination to this day.

Connection is how I got every one of these gigs I listed above, and I didn’t even go to school. But the act of connecting is more than scoring gigs, it’s about supporting your community! The world needs your art. People want to hear from you. Strangers are rooting for you and want to see what you create! Others feel the same way you and I do, but they create anyway. Wouldn’t it be lovely to know them?

My advice for struggling creators? Just start. I wouldn’t have founded Makeup by Amber Kendrick if I didn’t just dive in. Start simple now and refine with the fancy, shiny things later on.

Don’t be like me and sit on it only to regret it years later. I had always been a little rough on myself, considering writing as a ‘reward’ earned for completing a painfully productive day (aka me being too tired to think, much less write), which is pretty miserable.

We become what we think about. Why is it we’re so kind and giving to others but not to ourselves? (I’m calling myself out here!)

“Connect, create, and contribute,” as said by my friend and Certified Wellness and Health Coach, Aimee Binder.

Creating and practicing your craft is important and empowering, no matter the circumstances. Nothing remarkable happens overnight!

And if you think you don’t have time, remember that it’s okay to take a break to reconnect. I was on one when I was asked to go along for a little grave digging, and look, we’re here!

-Amber