Our Story

Becoming a makeup artist was a happy accident. I spent my twenties becoming a young wife, mother and trying and failing at different businesses. Although I’d had no formal training, I learned a few hair and makeup skills by watching early youtube videos. A sweet cousin of mine asked me to give her “loose waves” for her wedding day, and that day changed my life! I met a professional makeup artist there, and it was the first time I realized I could do makeup as a profession without working in Hollywood. I immediately interviewed for different brands and was hired to MAC Cosmetics in 2010. I quickly realized how much I enjoyed making women feel beautiful, hearing their stories and becoming a part of their special moments. 

In 2013, I registered my freelance business “Makeup by Ana B, LLC” and started taking clients in the basement of my parents home where we lived at the time to save money. I learned quickly that bridal and event hairstyling was in-demand and I took courses with local experts to add this to my service menu. As my skills and platform grew, my business began to flourish! Growing up as a pastor’s kid, I’ve always had a love for mentorship and I was able to continue it by training and adding talented stylists to our team also known as “MAB Artistry”. I am proud to have helped grow the careers of over 70 beauty professionals in the last 10 years through MAB’s extensive training, network, and luxury client base. I hope to continue to empower the next generation of beauty entrepreneurs through MAB Artistry and MAB Academy.

Born and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland, Monica graduated from the University of Maryland Global Campus in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management. Her love for travel began while studying abroad in Florence, Italy, and continued after getting married in 2023, when she and her husband spent their first year of marriage exploring 13 countries and living for a month at a time in destinations like Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Monica joined MAB in 2017 and now serves as the Business Manager, overseeing daily operations, client relations, and scheduling. She also supports team development, streamlines internal processes, and helps uphold the exceptional client experience that MAB is known for.

Now settled in Colorado with her husband and their dog, Milo, Monica enjoys hiking, working out, sipping bubble tea, and relaxing with a good Netflix series.

Karolina, a Ukrainian native, embarked on her American journey through the Work and Travel USA program, where she met her husband while working as a lifeguard. Officially relocating to the U.S. in 2019, she transitioned from a successful six-year career in event planning to become the Social Media Manager for MAB.

Her educational pursuits led her to a master's degree in marketing, propelling her into the role of MAB's Social Media Manager. Karolina's diverse experiences uniquely equip her to understand and connect with clients from various backgrounds.

Outside of work, she finds joy in family visits, skiing adventures, and exploring new destinations year-round.

Charlotte was born in Fort Lewis, Washington and raised here in Fairfax County. Inspired by all her travels to Mexico to visit family as a child, Charlotte originally went to school at James Madison University to study history. Her professional journey took a pivotal turn when she began her diving into marketing for educational institutions, a path that ignited her enthusiasm for the field and led her to pursue further education with a degree in marketing.

In 2021, she joined the MAB team as the Marketing Manager after a chance encounter with Ana B. and has since played a pivotal role in expanding our marketing initiatives. Charlotte thrives on crafting innovative campaigns and discovering the latest strategies to introduce MAB to new clients and audiences.

In her free time, Charlotte loves spending time with her husband, 2 young kids, and 2 dogs, spending time outside, attempting new recipes, and binging coffee & popcorn while reading a new book!

Born in Lima, Peru, Shirley moved to Virginia at just six years old with her parents and two siblings — and has proudly called the DMV home ever since. Today, she shares life’s adventures with her two children and three beloved fur babies.

While pursuing a degree in Business Management, Shirley unexpectedly discovered her true passion — makeup. A part-time role at MAC Cosmetics quickly turned into a lifelong love affair with beauty, artistry, and connection. Over the next 15+ years, Shirley worked her way through the MAC ranks across the DMV, managing multiple locations and eventually becoming a Senior Retail Manager for the Virginia region. Her leadership journey also took her to Anastasia Beverly Hills and Charlotte Tilbury, where she continued to refine her artistry and business acumen. In 2017, Shirley brought her talents and leadership to the MAB Artistry team — where her passion for people and natural gift for teaching led her to become our Hiring & Training Manager.

As our Hiring & Training Manager, Shirley brings the perfect blend of artistry, heart, and leadership to the team. She has a remarkable eye for raw talent and a genuine passion for developing artists — helping them grow not just in skill, but in confidence and collaboration. With her commitment to both excellence and education, Shirley ensures that every artist who joins MAB embodies the same dedication to beauty, professionalism, and client experience that define our brand.

Momina earned her bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology from George Mason University and is currently pursuing her MBA. With a background that combines people-focused insight and business strategy, she brings both organization and creativity to her role as Business Coordinator.

Momina joined the MAB team as a Business Coordinator, where she plays a key role in streamlining operations, coordinating, and ensuring every detail is handled with care.

Outside of work, Momina enjoys spending time with her family, writing poetry, and finding the perfect cozy coffee spot to unwind.