LAINIE RUSBARSKY shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi LAINIE, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Each morning, before I even get out of bed, I write down three things I’m grateful for. Practicing daily gratitude has been a game changer for my mindset—it helps me stay grounded, notice the little wins, and start the day with a positive focus. I truly believe that when you’re grateful, you attract more to be grateful for.
After that, I’ll either read something uplifting or listen to a motivational podcast—something that fuels my energy for the day. I also take a few minutes to say (or write) 1–3 affirmations that align with where I’m going or how I want to feel.
Once I’ve set the tone mentally, I hop on Instagram to post and share stories for my business. Then I jump into emails, check inquiries, and send out contracts or schedules for the week.
Oh—and coffee! ☕ Definitely can’t start the day without that!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Lainie Rusbarsky, the owner and lead stylist behind Make-up N More, based in St. Louis! I specialize in soft natural glam makeup and romantic, effortless hairstyles for brides who want to feel confident, radiant, and comfortable on their wedding day.
I’ve worked in the beauty industry for over 13 years, and what really lights me up is helping women feel like the best version of themselves—without looking or feeling overdone. My approach is calm, down-to-earth, and detail-oriented, and I’m passionate about creating a stress-free, seamless experience for my clients.
What makes my brand special is the heart I put into each client’s experience. I go beyond the glam—I guide my brides through their prep, build custom timelines, offer skin prep resources, and make sure everything runs smoothly so they can be fully present on their big day. It’s not just about the look—it’s about the way they feel walking down the aisle.
Right now, I’m expanding my business by creating educational resources for brides, growing my team of stylists, and connecting more deeply with the local wedding community. I’m also passionate about mindset and daily rituals (like affirmations and gratitude) and love bringing that energy into my work with each client.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world tried to define me, I was someone who loved expressing myself through makeup—the way a brush stroke could change how I felt and how I saw myself. But for a long time, I believed I had to fit into a mold: be perfect, say yes to everything, and follow a conventional career path that felt safe but uninspiring.
Unlearning perfectionism and people-pleasing was hard (and at times still is) but necessary. It opened the door for me to embrace my true passion—using makeup and creativity not just as a way to enhance beauty, but as a way to empower others. Now, through my work, I get to help brides (and clients) discover their own unique confidence and shine on their special day.
In helping them show up as their best, most radiant selves, I’ve finally learned to do the same for myself.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell her: You don’t have to have it all figured out. Your softness is your strength. And that creative spark you’re scared to follow? That’s your superpower. One day it’s going to help people feel seen, beautiful, and loved.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. What you see is truly who I am. I don’t want to build a version of myself that I have to perform—I want people to like me for me. The same person who’s calming nerves during a wedding morning is the one cracking jokes on stories or sending encouraging messages to my brides.
That doesn’t mean I share everything, or that I don’t have hard days—but I never want to hide behind a polished mask. What I value most is connection, and that only happens when you’re showing up with honesty. In an industry that can sometimes feel overly curated or filtered, I think authenticity is what people crave. And that’s what I want to lead with—always.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I made them feel seen.
Not just beautiful on the outside—but worthy, enough, held. I want the story people tell about me to be one of someone who gave more than just a service. Someone who brought calm to chaos, joy to the quiet moments, and confidence to people who didn’t always feel it.
Whether it was a bride on the most important day of her life or a friend going through something hard—I want people to remember that I showed up with heart, presence, and a whole lot of care.
Because for a long time, I was afraid of being seen. I thought maybe I wasn’t enough, or maybe I was too much. But the more I grew, the more I realized: there’s power in being real. And if I can help others feel safe to do the same, then that’s a life I’m proud to live.
That’s the story I hope they tell.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://make-up-n-more.com
- Instagram: @makeupnmorestl
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lainie-hood-rusbarsky-6a30a765/
- Facebook: @makeupnmorestl
- Youtube: @makeupnmorestl
- Other: tiktok: @makeupnmorestl
Image Credits
agape rose photographry
erika rene photography
studio 637 photography
rg studios stl
