Inside the World of Maryleen Chioma, New York’s Go-To Glam Expert.

lheuremagazine
Jan 3
2 min read

Maryleen Chioma is a highly accomplished makeup artist and creative professional with over a decade of experience in the beauty industry. A proud Nigerian-American based in New York, she has built a trusted and recognizable name within the luxury beauty space, celebrated for her precise artistry, radiant finishes, and an innate ability to enhance each client’s natural beauty rather than mask it.

Her journey began in 2015, shortly after high school, when her sister entered the world of fashion design. Wanting to support her sister’s creative pursuits, Maryleen began doing makeup for models during photoshoots, runway shows, and video productions. What started as a gesture of love soon revealed itself as a calling. Encouraged by enthusiastic feedback from models and friends, she began taking clients in her bedroom, first offering her services for free, then charging $50 per face. Though her father initially hoped she would follow a more traditional career path, he ultimately became one of her strongest supporters and today takes immense pride in her achievements.

Over the years, Maryleen has transformed that early passion into a thriving professional career. Her work has attracted a loyal and diverse clientele seeking elevated, high-quality beauty for a wide range of occasions, reflecting both her technical precision and her deeply intuitive approach to artistry.

The year 2025 marked a defining chapter in her career. Maryleen collaborated with major beauty brands including Juvia’s Place and Glossier, contributed her artistry backstage at the Tony Awards, and was booked for New York Fashion Week. In 2024, she also worked with the Love Island Season 6 cast reunion and has since lent her talents to several celebrities. Her signature style, paired with professionalism and meticulous attention to detail, has firmly positioned her as a go-to makeup artist within New York’s competitive beauty scene.

Maryleen Chioma is a visual storyteller, using every brushstroke to help people see themselves in their best light. With a growing platform and an ever-expanding portfolio, her journey is not approaching its peak, it is only just beginning. Behind the Scenes with Maryleen Chioma: Exclusive Interview!

L’Heure: When did you first recognize that makeup could move from a passion into a lifelong career path?

Maryleen: Honestly, I think I realized it the moment I saw how makeup could completely transform not just someone’s look, but the way they felt about themselves. What started as me playing around and doing it for fun slowly turned into people trusting me for their big moments like weddings, events, and photoshoots. Seeing their reactions and knowing I could make an impact like that made me realize this wasn’t just a hobby; it was something I wanted to dedicate my life to and build a career around.

Discover the full story of Maryleen's journey. Click here to read the complete article.