Meet Jaray Daniel-Banks | Professional Hair & Make Up Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jaray Daniel-Banks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaray, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
What makes me happy is being able to work day in and day out to fulfill my dreams of working as a Professional Make Up Artist. Now don’t get me wrong my boyfriend, pups, and family play a huge part in my happiness! But there is something about not settling for a job just because it “makes good money”. I have worked so many side jobs and gigs over the years, just to be able to focus on main business as a Make Up Artist. I don’t always get the most consistent schedule, or convenient work hours.
But I do get to proudly declare that I love what I do, and I’ll take that any day over a 9-5!

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Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m Jaray Banks, Professional Make Up Artist based in Denver, CO. Currently I run my business “Jaray For The Slay” where I provide Hair and Make Up services in salon or on location in Colorado! I also work on a National Talk Show called, “Daily Blast Live” as the Hair and Make Up Manager for all 8 host and special guest.

I’ve spent the last 9 years perfecting my craft as a Global Artist and Educator, or someone who works with all skin tones and textures. Although Make Up is my first love in the world of beauty, I’m also a licensed Cosmetologist, so I do hair, make up, brows, and skin care. Through my near decade of working as an artist, I have been blessed to take such a unique path to reach my dreams as a working Make Up Artist!

Coming from humble beginnings I like many other artist have always juggled multiple jobs just to be able to work weddings, events, and other occasions for our clients. We often sacrifice our personal/family time simply to provide the best services possible and just… work! So often people hear the glamorous jobs I do as a artist, but do not understand the tedious path I’ve taken just to get where I am.

For starters, my first exposure to make up was as a Drag Queen! I was taught and mentored by some of the most fabulous queens on how to transform features to create jaw dropping looks for the stage. From there I also started working in department stores on the side where I mastered techniques from brands like Dior, Lancome, MAC, Make Up Forever, YSL/Armani, and many more. Over time I started picking up weddings all at the same time working for bridal companies across the Colorado region, and eventually started booking my own weddings and events out as well! I maintained educating and training for brands inside retailers like Nordstrom, Sephora, and Ulta all the while working on my own business as Colorado’s Premier Global Make Up Artist! Then starting in 2017, I joined. “Daily Blast Live” the week before launching nationally! Other than a few commercial gigs, I relied on the knowledge passed on to me from all my trainings end education all the way back to being a Queen, to ensure my host feel and look fabulous on air everyday! It’s now been 4 years and I love working with my host everyday to help them look their best to talk to the world. I’d never say my path was easy, but it has been incredibly rewarding and I would never change my experience!

Creating my own brand through all of my work has been so important to me because of representation alone. As a Gay Black Man from Colorado, I wanted to create a company in which everyone of my clients can feel beautiful, celebrated, and recognized. Over the years I have experienced being counted out, dismissed, or not taken into consideration in so many arenas in life, but especially in the beauty world. Unfortunately many artist across the country do not know how nor have taken the time to train how to do “Global Make Up or Styling”. This typically means that they don’t carry shades for POC or do not know how to create a beautiful look for POC. With Jaray For The Slay, I believe that everyone Deserves a Little Celebrity Treatment! No matter who you are or what the occasion is, you can always guarantee that you will look and feel like a Star when booking with Jaray!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Phew living Denver, there’s so much to show someone visiting for the weekend! I love to take friends and families to some of my favorite meal spots like Annies, Torchies, Angry Chicken, Kona Grill, or even Crown Burger. I love a good hearty meal so I’m a sucker for a great value! If we’re going a bit more upscale I might suggest La Lloma, The OG Denver, or even Elways, yum!

Some of my favorite places to visit in Denver would be good ol Hamburger Marys for a drag brunch or show, Lookout mountain for a beautiful view of the city, and Deer Creek Valley for some easy yet gorgeous trails nearby!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my Shoutout to all the amazing mentors that have helped me grow into the artist and business man I’ve grown to become. My family and my partner in crime/ stunning boyfriend Ty Williams aka Blissed Out Beauty as well! (I love you sweet man!)
Thank you all for letting me lean on your support when I’ve needed it, and supporting me to reach for the stars!

Website: www.JarayForTheSlay.com

Instagram: @JarayForTheSlay

Facebook: Jaray For The Slay

Youtube: @JarayForTheSlay

Other: Styleseat.com/JarayForTheSlay