Meet Kelsey Aanerud | Professional Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelsey Aanerud and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelsey, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’m going to be completely honest with all these questions especially with this one. My thought process was obvious to love what I do and make a good income doing it. I didn’t have a set idea of what that all entailed but simply just wanted to be creative and bad ass in every opportunity thrown at me. I started with hair coloring, that’s what my education thrived on, but in the long run, my passion really transformed into makeup. SFX, full glam, theatrical, the weird..the unusual..and I achieved it. I am now one of the go to makeup artists in the FM area that creates the most unique, amazing makeup looks for photo shoots, galas, Halloween, you name it, I created it. And it just keeps getting better and better.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art. So my art is a wide variety from hair coloring, to incredible makeup applications. What sets me apart from other artists is my ability to visually see all the angles, colors, inspirations and bring it to life. I’m capable of visually seeing what exactly needs to be executed to achieve their desired look whether it’s hair or makeup. My proudest capability I feel for myself is my fearlessness. I don’t feel nervous about anything anymore with it comes to hair or makeup. That’s when you know you transformed into a master at your talent. Was it easy getting to where I am today? Hell. No. I say that with love. It was so hard starting my own business with the lost of time, money, confidence, oh boy.. that first year was a challenge, but do I regret it? Absolutely not. It made me grow in ways I didn’t think I could but I couldn’t stop chasing the dream. Still to this day I’m growing to be better in myself and my career and honestly, I don’t ever see myself stopping. I mean, why would you?
I want the world to know my super power, My super power is my goofy, uplifting, humble personality that I express personally and visually in my creations. My talent in makeup, my fearlessness in chasing my dreams, my ‘don’t give a damn’ attitude for what negative people have to say, and my perspective about life in general. Life is suppose to be fun, so have fun! Do whatever your heart desires! I want to show that to everyone that gets to know me. You have one life, live it to the fullest.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When I have family or friends coming to visit, I love that I can look up local events for literally every day of the week. From grabbing breakfast at Black Coffee and Waffle Bar, brunch at the Tavern, or Babbs Coffee just to be in their environment is so calming to me. Then afterwards, there’s Axe throwing Fargo, Pixel bar, Wild Terra to sit in their beautiful greenery environment, or of course, Brewhalla! Lunch time, I’m such a sucker for Rhombus guys pizza! I love, love their environment and their rooftop seating area. But you can never go wrong with literally any of the downtown places for food! Beer and Fish, Vinyl Taco, you can walk Broadway and stop every 20 steps and find yourself in an unforgettable store. The places are endless in Fargo. Even though that’s all downtown adventuring, there’s so much to do around the actual Fargo area as well to shopping, bakeries, and event centers like The Lights that host numerous concerts during the summer time. There’s always something to try and see in the FM area.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Great suggestion! When I read this, my instant thought goes to my sister Kayla. She has pushed me in my creativity with my SFX makeup. Helping me tweek my looks to perfection. Also, my main inspiration that got me out of my shell to creating these bonkers looks with makeup, is the T.V. show ,Glow UP. During Covid this show aired and I was immediately obsessed. And I’m thinking…I can do that. With a little “pshh” before that thought. I just wanted to prove to myself I could do those insane looks and styles but when I posted them, everyone was blown away by what I could do. My mom especially. She’s always saying I belong in Hollywood, and you know what..I agree. But I also love my very humble life here in the FM area. If the opportunity ever spikes to do incredible makeup in other states, hell yeah I’ll jump on that opportunity!

Website: www..thepowderrroomsln.com

Instagram: @kelseyduffney_mua and @thepowderroomsln

Facebook: The Powder Room

Youtube: @kelseyduffney_mua

Other: TikTok @kelseyduffney

Image Credits
My head shot was taken by Kayla Hagen, Kayla Duffney creative photographer. My floral skull makeup look was captured by Inna Portraits located in downtown Fargo.