Meet the Founder: The Story Behind Hottie Beauty

Nice to Meet You

Hi love, I’m Desiree, the founder of Hottie Beauty. 
For as long as I can remember, beauty has been more than a passion of mine. It has been my art, my purpose, and one of the greatest sources of joy in my life.

Long before Hottie Beauty became a brand, beauty was already a part of who I was.

Where It All Began

Looking back, it is incredible to see how one small childhood moment can quietly shape the path you were always meant to follow.

As a little girl, my mom gave me a Barbie doll as a gift, and what started as simple playtime became one of the most meaningful memories of my childhood.

One day, out of pure curiosity, I began braiding her hair and teaching myself different styles. I had no idea in that moment that I was discovering something that would shape the rest of my life.

What seemed like such a small, innocent moment sparked a lifelong passion for beauty, creativity, and the joy of helping others feel beautiful and confident. Looking back now, it feels incredibly special to know that something so simple would one day grow into my career, my purpose, and the brand I pour my heart into today.

Turning Passion Into Purpose

What began as a childhood love for beauty gradually grew into something much bigger than I ever imagined.

As the years went on, that passion only became stronger. I became the friend everyone came to for hair and makeup, and there was nothing I loved more than helping the people around me feel beautiful and confident for life’s most meaningful moments.

I still remember doing my friends’ hair and makeup for prom and seeing the excitement on their faces when they looked in the mirror. Being able to help someone feel radiant, confident, and truly seen was the most rewarding feeling.

Long before Hottie Beauty became a brand, I started from the ground up, offering beauty services out of my home while working a full-time job and going to school at the same time.

It was not always easy.

There were long days, late nights, and moments when I felt exhausted, but I never lost sight of the dream I was building.

That journey taught me resilience, perseverance, and the importance of believing in your vision even when the path feels challenging.

Every sacrifice, every lesson, and every hour of hard work was worth it because beauty is not just what I do. It is what drives me. It is my passion.

I truly believe this is my purpose: to use my hands, creativity, and knowledge to help others feel confident, cared for, and beautiful.

Being able to serve my community and share my passion through my craft is one of the greatest gifts of my life.

Professional Background

Over the years, I have poured my heart into learning every facet of the beauty industry, and that journey has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

I’m a licensed cosmetologist, a proud Paul Mitchell alumnus, and the recipient of the 2018 BEACON Award for Makeup, a nationally recognized honor that celebrates emerging talent and creativity in the beauty industry.

Throughout my journey, I’ve been fortunate to experience the beauty industry from so many different angles, and each chapter has played a meaningful role in shaping who I am today.

I’ve worked behind the chair in salons for years, including on the Las Vegas Strip, where I provided hair and makeup services for weddings, special events, and some of the city’s most exciting occasions. Being surrounded by that energy and helping clients look and feel their best during unforgettable moments was an experience I will always cherish.

Over the years, I have worked in nearly every area of beauty, from hair and nails to facials, lashes, brows, and makeup. Each service taught me something new and deepened my appreciation for the way beauty can transform not only how someone looks, but how they feel about themselves.

One of the most exciting chapters of my career was serving as a Cao Cosmetics brand representative.

In that role, I had the opportunity to represent the brand at industry conventions and educational events, giving me a true behind-the-scenes look at the beauty industry through advanced trainings, new product launches, skills conventions, and hands-on educational events.

I introduced beauty professionals to new products, shared my knowledge about how they worked, and spoke about the inspiration and product development behind each launch.

There was something incredibly inspiring about seeing how an idea evolved from concept to finished product and witnessing the level of innovation, artistry, and attention to detail that goes into creating products professionals can truly trust.

Those experiences deepened my appreciation for thoughtful formulation and sparked my own passion for product development. Looking back, I can clearly see that this chapter of my career planted the seed for what would eventually become Hottie Beauty.

I also spent several years as the Beauty Brand Team Leader for Target, where I was responsible for managing every aspect of the beauty department from inventory and logistics to merchandising and customer experience.

My role began long before products ever made it to the sales floor. I monitored inventory levels daily, scanned low-stock items into the system, and ensured replenishment orders were placed so our shelves remained consistently stocked. If a product was out of stock, I took that personally because it meant there was an opportunity to improve how proactively I was managing inventory.

Once new shipments arrived, I was responsible for unloading and unboxing every item by hand. From lip glosses and mascaras to skincare, beauty tools, and new product launches, I carefully unpacked each product, organized it, and placed it where it belonged.

I also oversaw merchandising and visual presentation. Using detailed planograms and brand layouts, I built and staged entire shelves, promotional displays, and end caps exactly to specification so each section looked polished, cohesive, and retail-ready.

I took great pride in keeping the department clean, organized, fully stocked, and visually appealing at all times.

Beyond operations, I developed extensive product knowledge across countless beauty brands and helped customers choose products based on their goals, skin concerns, and personal preferences. I also trained new team members on product knowledge, customer service, merchandising standards, and operational procedures.

That experience gave me a deep understanding of what makes a beauty brand successful, from product performance and consumer behavior to inventory management, merchandising, and the importance of creating an exceptional customer experience.

It taught me that every detail matters, and that same level of care, organization, and attention to detail is something I bring into every aspect of Hottie Beauty today.

My journey eventually led me into the world of medical aesthetics, where I worked alongside advanced technologies, medical-grade devices, and professional skincare systems. This experience introduced me to the science behind beauty and deepened my understanding of how thoughtfully formulated products can deliver meaningful results.

Along the way, I continued investing in my education through extensive certifications in brow lamination, eyelash extensions, barbering, airbrush makeup, and Tammy Taylor nail enhancements.

Every salon, every training, every certification, every client, and every lesson has shaped the professional I am today.

All of those experiences have given me a unique perspective that blends artistry, science, retail expertise, and real-world experience, and that foundation is the heart of everything I create.

Why I Created Hottie Beauty

After years of working closely with clients and immersing myself in every side of the beauty industry, I realized that many people felt overwhelmed by the endless number of products available and unsure of what truly worked.

I created Hottie Beauty to simplify beauty and remove the guesswork.

My goal was to develop a professional luxury beauty brand that combines high-performance products with trusted education so you can feel confident in both your routine and your results.

Every Hottie Beauty product is thoughtfully developed with intention. Our products are professional-grade, made with naturally derived ingredients, and designed to be intentionally versatile enough to be used throughout your skincare routine, from brows to skin.

I wanted to create multifunctional essentials that simplify your routine, eliminate confusion, and deliver the kind of results you would expect from products created by a licensed beauty professional.

Whether you are nourishing your brows, calming your skin, or creating moments of intentional self-care, Hottie Beauty was designed to help you feel confident, cared for, and beautiful.

My Mission

My mission is to create professional luxury beauty essentials and educational resources that empower people to care for their brows and skin with confidence.

I want every customer to feel supported, informed, and inspired to build a beauty routine that feels both effective and enjoyable.

My Vision

My vision is to grow Hottie Beauty into a globally recognized beauty brand known for professional-grade products, trusted education, and an elevated self-care experience.

I want Hottie Beauty to become a brand people trust not only for exceptional products, but for the knowledge, care, and intention behind everything we create.

From My Heart to Yours

Hottie Beauty represents so much more than products.

It represents years of dedication, education, sacrifice, and a dream that began with a Barbie doll and a little girl who fell in love with beauty.

There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that something I created can become part of your daily routine and help you feel more confident in your own skin.

That is what brings me the most joy.

Hottie Beauty was built from the heart, and I am so grateful to share it with you.

Thank you for supporting my dream and for allowing me to be part of your beauty journey.

With love,

Desiree
Founder, Hottie Beauty ✨💜