Meet Donna

It all started when…

My name is Donna Reneé Shirk. I am a Certified Pro Makeup Artist and a dual state Licensed Cosmetologist in Florida and Washington, D.C. (my native hometown.) After high school, my career training and work path had always been in the Secretarial/Administrative field. I went from Senior Receptionist to Executive Administrative Assistant, and Medical Office Specialist, to earning a degree in Health Information Technology. I always enjoyed, and had a love for, creating visual beauty. So, I started my own event planning company and offered optional services for hair and makeup.  

When my Pastor preached one Sunday about “A man’s gifts makes room for him,” and there being someone sitting in the church that day, who God had blessed with so many gifts and they were not allowing their gifts to make room for them as God intended.  At that moment, I knew that message was for me and the conviction consumed me so, I prayed about it.  I then decided to apply, enroll, and return to school, only this time it was to Aveda Institute’s Cosmetology training program to enhance my God-given gifts and talents.  In addition, I started taking more hands-on makeup training at several Celebrity Makeup Symposiums where I gained knowledge, training, and skills from Celebrity MUAs…like Reggie Wells, Merrell Hollis, Danessa Myricks, Charlene Easter…and one-on-one training with my mentor Keisha Brown. Since pursuing both career paths, God’s favor has opened many doors to give me the opportunities to utilize and share my gifts on many levels. In addition to being in demand for more hairstyling, and makeup for special occasions, I had the opportunity to work on a team of stylists providing hairstyling services to the Washington Wizards’ Dance team. I also worked on the set during the filming of  Sinners Wanted as an Assistant Makeup Artist. I was afforded the opportunity to work with Celebrity Makeup Artist Letitia Thornhill, and I worked with Actor Joseph Curtis Callender, Actor Jessie Barnes Jr., Actress Robin T. Smith, Christopher Jeffreys, Isaiah Edmonds Givens, and countless others.

The best decision I have ever made, was to step out on faith and follow my passion, because I am finally living with and walking in my purpose.