Chatting With

Carrie Barber

Carrie Barber is the Owner and Creative Director of MAKE Beauty. She grew up in Colorado, and wanted to be a professional volleyball player but was too short so she choose art instead and is pretty happy with her decision. Carrie was once at the helm of major beauty brands like Sephora, and Glossier before going out on her own to create MAKE Beauty. MAKE's mission is clean skin care using innovative skin-safe synthetics which Carrie is fiercely passionate about clean formulas because when she feels good putting on makeup, she feels she's practically mediating.

Melissa: What is your particular morning routine and particular nighttime routine?

Carrie: My morning is the most important time of my day because it’s when I have my alone time. I love waking up early and taking my time, drinking coffee, scrolling tiktok or IG, finishing an episode of tv from the night before or online shopping. I really need to start with unfocused ‘free’ time so that the rest of the day I can stay focused and on schedule.

Melissa: What are your go to brands that are particular to you? Tell us your go-to denim, white t-shirt, bra or underwear, shoes, PJ’s or brand you splurge or invest in?

Carrie: Feel Jeans, LNA White Tee, CUUP bra and underwear, Saint Laurent shoes, splurge on Old Celine, impulse buy Zara

Melissa: What is your particular travel destination?
Carrie: Anywhere warm, I love the beach.
Melissa: What is your particular go-to meal to cook? 
Carrie: I love cooking, especially when I have friends over. I love to make Pomodoro from scratch with Bucatini Pasta. I cook garlic and tomatoes in olive oil in a pan until the tomatoes are complete broken down into a thick paste/sauce. Right before I drain the pasta, I pull out a cup of pasta water and add to the tomatoes, stirring until mixed. Drain pasta, combine pasta and sauce in big pan and mix until pasta is completely coated. Top with parm and basil if thats your thing.
Melissa: What particular thing that makes you feel scared, anxious, happy, excited or cry?
Carrie: I have a lot of social anxiety which I have had to really work on as I have become a brand owner. If I am feeling anxious before an event or a dinner I just take a deep breath and visualize a version of myself without social anxiety. It doesn’t work every time but it does help.
Melissa: What particular business advice you would give someone who is just getting started in their career?
Carrie: Ask questions, do any job that needs to be done even if it isn’t yours, be kind and don’t settle for a job you don’t love.

Particular thing you would have told your younger self: You're enough.

Melissa: A particular turning point in your life?
Carrie: After my Dad died in 2014. In a lot of ways, I felt like I started over because I took things more seriously. As Joan Didion says “life changes in an instant” and I wanted to focus on finding what mattered to me the most.
Melissa: Particular thing you wish you made more time for or prioritize?
Carrie: I wish I made more time to take up a new activity like surfing or tennis. I’d love to learn something new and take advantage of the Southern California weather while doing so.
Melissa: Is there a particular person who impacted your life?
Carrie: My Dad. He was a great role-model, had an incredible work ethic and was always so kind and generous to any one he met.
Melissa: What particular moment are you most proud of? 
Carrie: I’m really proud of this last year. I’ve always worked hard, but I didn’t always have the endurance I have now. I can have an ego when it comes to work but when I started working on MAKE I told myself I was here to learn as much as I could and to trust the process. I have made a lot of mistakes but thats the only way to learn.
Melissa: What particular misconception people have about you or what you do?

Carrie: That I’m mean or intimidating….and most of my family thinks I’m a makeup artist

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