Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Sanderson.
Hi Courtney , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey into the beauty industry started long before cosmetology school. Growing up in California, I was fascinated by all things beauty. I loved watching movies, flipping through magazines, and studying the hairstyles, makeup looks, colors, and techniques that brought characters and stories to life. It was clear from an early age that creativity was where I thrived.
After graduating high school, I knew a traditional college path wasn’t the right fit for me. Instead, I enrolled in cosmetology school where I earned my cosmetology license in 2009. I began working behind the chair as a hairstylist shortly after graduation, but quickly learned that building a clientele from scratch could be challenging. To support myself, I worked as an administrative assistant for a chemical company while continuing to pursue my passion through freelance makeup artistry and seasonal work creating special effects and makeup looks for haunted attractions.
In 2016, I relocated back to Michigan and began exploring new opportunities within the beauty industry. While working at Ulta Beauty, I discovered that makeup and aesthetics were where I truly felt at home. I loved the creativity, the artistry, and most importantly, the connections I was able to build with clients. Along the way, I worked with brands such as Clinique and MAC Cosmetics, where I became the MAC Lead Manager in 2017. During this time, I continued growing my freelance makeup business, specializing in bridal and special event makeup.
When the beauty industry shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself missing the deeper one-on-one relationships that had always been my favorite part of the profession. I transitioned to the Benefit Brow Bar, where I rediscovered my love for brows and facial aesthetics. That experience reignited a passion that would ultimately shape the next chapter of my career.
In 2023, I took the leap and left the corporate beauty world to create something of my own. That’s when Face by Coco was born. Today, I operate a cozy salon suite where I offer brow shaping, facial waxing, lash lifts, signature facials, and makeup services. I also travel throughout Michigan providing bridal hair and makeup for wedding parties, helping brides feel confident, beautiful, and truly themselves on one of the most important days of their lives.
Looking back, every step of my journey, from hairstyling and retail beauty to brows, skincare, and bridal artistry helped shape the business I have today. What began as a childhood fascination with beauty has grown into a career centered on creativity, connection, and helping people feel their absolute best.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. Like many beauty professionals, one of the biggest challenges early on was building a clientele and finding my footing in a very competitive industry. When you’re first starting out, you’re constantly balancing your passion with the realities of growing a business, and that can be overwhelming at times.
Beyond that, one of my biggest struggles was learning to believe in myself and recognize my own value. As creatives, it’s easy to compare yourself to others, question your abilities, or hesitate to put yourself out there. Building confidence didn’t happen overnight. It took years of experience, continuing education, and stepping outside of my comfort zone to realize that I had something unique to offer.
Starting my own business was another leap of faith. Leaving the security of a corporate position to become fully self-employed was exciting, but also terrifying. There are no guarantees when you work for yourself, and suddenly you’re responsible for everything from marketing and finances to client relationships and growth.
Looking back, those challenges were some of the most valuable parts of my journey. They taught me resilience, confidence, and the importance of trusting myself. Every obstacle pushed me to grow, and I believe they’ve made me a better business owner and beauty professional today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Face by Coco, I specialize in bridal hair and makeup, brow artistry, facial waxing, lash lifts, and skincare services. If you were to ask my clients what I’m most known for, they would probably say bridal makeup and brows. Those are the services that have truly become the foundation of my business and where I feel I can make the biggest impact.
Of everything I do, bridal beauty is what I’m most proud of. There is something incredibly special about being part of one of the most important days in someone’s life. Helping a bride feel confident, beautiful, and like the best version of herself is a feeling that never gets old. No matter how many weddings I’ve been a part of, that excitement and sense of purpose is still there every single time.
What sets me apart is that I genuinely do this because I love it. While social media and marketing are important parts of running a business, they were never the reason I got into this industry. I’m not chasing followers or trying to become an influencer. My passion has always been the work itself and the relationships I build with the people sitting in my chair.
I believe beauty services are about more than the final result. They’re about making people feel comfortable, cared for, and confident. Whether it’s a bride on her wedding day or a client coming in for a brow appointment, I want everyone who works with me to feel seen, heard, and valued. That connection is what keeps me inspired after all these years, and it’s the reason I still love what I do every day.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
One of the things I love most about Rochester Hills is the sense of community, its welcoming and connected. People tend to recognize one another, offer a friendly smile, and genuinely support local businesses. It’s a beautiful area with great neighborhoods, parks, trails, and lakes, and it’s close enough to Detroit to enjoy everything the city has to offer while still maintaining a quieter, suburban feel.
If I had to choose something I like least, it would probably be the traffic and the rapid development. While growth brings new opportunities, it’s sometimes disappointing to see beautiful natural areas and open spaces replaced by more strip malls and commercial buildings. Finding a balance between growth and preserving the character of the community is important, and I’d love to see more of that in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://facebycoco.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faceby_coco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092700901027
