Welcome to “Beneath The Brush,” where we explore the stories behind some of the most notable MUAs in the game. Each feature will highlight the “why” for each MUA and showcase their career trajectories, go-to products, and makeup tips.

One look at Kasha Lussien’s Instagram bio suggests that she’s a versatile talent, balancing the beauty industry and mental health space. Interestingly, a career in the latter was the only plan. But things shifted while she pursued her bachelor’s degree in psychology. Downtime introduced her to YouTube’s evolving makeup community— tapping into the nostalgia of watching her grandmother apply makeup—and eventually led to a job at a MAC counter. What started as an unexpected study break hobby would shift her professional trajectory.

While posting her work on social media, Kasha received an unexpected opportunity from a high school friend. “I got the opportunity to spend a few days interning on a film set in Louisiana with Douglas Noe, the makeup department head,” Kasha exclusively tells HelloBeautiful. “That was my first experience seeing what working on a film actually looked like. I told him, ‘I’m moving to California, and I’m gonna pursue this.’” And that she did.

After relocating to California and attending makeup school, Kasha decided to dive right in. She began assisting artists across television, film, commercials, editorial, fashion, music videos, and celebrity work. As her makeup career continued to evolve, her devotion to mental health never wavered. Today, the celebrity MUA and groomer is working toward her master’s degree in psychotherapy and also serves as a breathwork facilitator.

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For Kasha, the two worlds collide seamlessly. Her years spent pouring into clients—ranging from Aaron Pierre, Naomi Osaka, and Quinta Brunson—have taught her the importance of pouring back into herself. Through therapy, breathwork, mindfulness, and self-care, she’s developed a deeper understanding of where her confidence comes from—and how she carries that confidence both on and off set. “Regardless of the client or job I’m working on, my confidence is rooted in who I am, and that’s something I’ve applied to all areas of my life,” she says. “And even when I forget that, those tools help me come back to myself and remember.”

Below, Kasha tells all about her definition of beauty, makeup heroes, beauty tips, and so much more.

“Beauty is exploration. It allows us to explore a feeling, a state of being, a mindset. We explore our cultures and our identities through it. I almost see it as a portal, something that draws us inward, allowing us to discover different parts of ourselves while also bringing us back to who we are. That could be through doing your makeup, your hair, your nails, or even your nighttime shower rituals; those things give us time and space to slow down, to check in with ourselves, and give ourselves a little extra love. In a world where we’re constantly going and producing, these little self-care moments can start your mindfulness practice.”

1. “Douglas Noe was the first person who welcomed me onto a film set. He taught me the beauty of staying open and continuing to hone my craft. He was already quite successful, but he’d still spend weekends perfecting his special effects skills or hair laying techniques. Sometimes he’d invite me over, and I’d get to be part of that. Whether he was practicing at home or helping a friend with a project, he saw value in the experience, even when there wasn’t some huge financial gain. In this industry, you never know where one thing might lead, and that’s something I’ve carried into my own work.”

2. “Tasha Reiko Brown taught me to ‘do it scared.’ Seeing a Black woman working at such a high level, who bets on herself and is so self-assured, is just so inspiring to me. And that’s something I’ve carried into my life even outside of makeup.”

3. “Sir John showed me that you can be successful as an artist and still make room to evolve beyond that role. His kindness and confidence remind me that who you are matters beyond what you do.”

4. “Sam Visser reminded me to play. He always tested and invested in his own shoots, simply because he loved creating beautiful things. Whenever I’m feeling disconnected from the joy of my work, I remember to come back to play.”

5. “Hector Espinal taught me to know my worth and not be afraid to walk away from what is no longer serving you. Sometimes leaving one thing makes room for something bigger.”

1. “My first would be a tubing mascara. I love how mascara opens up the eyes and adds a little femininity. It can really change the way your eyes look, and I like tubing formulas because they stay in place and resist smudging.”

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2. “A foundation palette with a good shade range is a must. If all else fails and that’s all you have, you can still do so much: foundation, concealer, contour, bronzing, even coverage on the body. It’s a product you can make work in multiple ways.”

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3. “Lastly, a really good moisturizer, because skin prep is the foundation of a beautiful makeup application. Depending on the formula, you can also use it to give the skin a nice glow, even when you’re not putting on any other makeup.”

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“Great skin prep is the key to a beautiful makeup application. I think of it like painting. Before you paint, you prime your canvas, and skin prep serves that same purpose. It creates the foundation for how everything else goes on and wears. So before I even reach for makeup, I’m paying attention to what the skin needs. I always, always, always tell people, take care of your skin. Take care of your skin, and take care of your client’s skin to the best of your ability.”

“Put yourself out there. I think of it like planting seeds. Something might take a year or three years to sprout, but plant the seeds and keep doing the work in the meantime. Rejection is part of it. Don’t let it stop you.

Ask for exactly what you want. My mom always told me that you teach people how to treat you, so be intentional about what you accept from the beginning. Have boundaries, and don’t be afraid to walk away from a situation that isn’t serving you.

Be professional. Show up on time, have a clean, stocked kit, anticipate what your client might need, and be kind. But also, be good at what you do. You don’t know if you’ll get another chance to be in that room, so show up on your P’s and Q’s. Hone your craft so that even when your nerves get the best of you, you can fall back on the confidence you have in your skills.

Most importantly, know who you are. Don’t let your identity get wrapped up in your clientele or the jobs you’re working on. Because what happens when you’re no longer working on those jobs? God forbid, right? But what happens? You have to enjoy the person you are and be fulfilled in your life outside of all that stuff. Because it’s all stuff at the end of the day.”

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