Meet Tessa
OWNER OF ARTISTRY REBIRTH
“Make-up found me in the midst of my despair. God gave me a new
identity and brought out who He wanted me to be versus who I had been told to be my whole life.”
Self-taught makeup artist Tessa Rideau, known for her skin first approach to creating both natural and more elaborate looks with
equal skill, is sought after by clients and celebrities all over the world. With a career spanning almost two decades, the Louisiana native’s work includes red carpets, editorial, ad campaigns and film and television.
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While Tessa was always fascinated with makeup, she never thought she’d have a career in beauty. She was on track to earning a
dual degree in chemistry and biology on a full academic scholarship from Louisiana State University when she faced a pivotal crossroads. Tessa ultimately discontinued her education and channeled her energies into defining what success looked like on her own terms. The daughter of conservative parents found herself in the tv and film industry working on projects alongside iconic figures like Queen Latifah, Jason Mitchell and Dakota Fanning.
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In 2008, without the benefit of experience in makeup application, Tessa won a scholarship competition with Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute in Covington, LA beating out 26 contestants. The following year, Tessa joined MAC Cosmetics as a freelance artist. Within 3 years, her raw talent, hunger and passion led her to becoming an executive trainer for the brand. In this management role, Tessa was responsible for 25 stores in 4 regions as well as the onboarding of over 1500 employees. Her innovative techniques and high performance standards made her a fixture at the major fashion weeks in New York, London and Paris, in addition to establishing looks for events at SXSW. Tessa spent a decade with MAC before launching her own beauty empire, Artistry Rebirth. Her professional and personal awakening have enabled her to maximize the potential of everything her leadership touches and influences.
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Rooted in a strong sense of self, Tessa now allows her intuition to guide her decision-making. She gracefully navigates her place in the world undeterred by the constraints of other people’s opinions. Tessa’s life is a testimony of faith, resolve and restoration. Through Artistry Rebirth, she leans into her light. She celebrates and highlights what’s authentic about an individual and inspires emerging entrepreneurs to follow their dreams and build businesses around them.
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From the runway to the real world, Tessa strives to make all women feel empowered, beautiful and confident; to bring their personality to life through makeup. By following her divine calling, the larger than life figure is altering the history and future of her family’s legacy, while also cementing her own.