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magine, if you will a young girl in a dimly lit attic. Only to this young girl, this particular attic is much, much more. It is a wonderland filled with posters and costumes and jewelry and shoes and wigs and makeup. All remnants from a curiously transitional period in the history of entertainment. A period where both the taboo and the risqué meet the comedic: Vaudeville. Imagine that young girl in the attic rummaging through costumes in trunks, pulling out drawers in bureaus, and trying on pearls. Imagine her drowning in an oversized red sequin gown, looking in the mirror with stars in her eyes. Now, imagine this little girl growing up to be just as glamorous today as she was in the childhood fantasies of her youth.

Enter, Bebé Ellison, owner of BABYDOESMAKEUP&MORE. A modern renaissance woman whose personal brand of wisdom, strength, and beauty is both inspiring and infectious. She is the make-up artist to the stars, working with such names as Wendy Williams, Joan Rivers, and R&B/Pop star Akon, to name a few. Her experience goes beyond entertainment, however. One factor that separates her from other make-up artists is her experience as a private investigator, where she relied on her own make-up skills to help change her look. "You know you’re badass when you can stand next to people who have met you and they do not know it is you," boasts Ellison. She was inspired by what she had seen in that attic years ago, and she hasn't looked back since.

Bebé Ellison prides herself on her ability to personify the element of service. This proves to be true not only in her professional life, but in her personal life as well. She is currently venturing into the nonprofit sector by combining efforts with bestbuddies.org, an organization that works to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their focus is on programs that create opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for the intellectually and developmentally challenged. "One of my love languages is servitude," explains Ellison. "I use my talent for make-up and styling to assist people with disabilities and show them how to prepare themselves for the world.” Noble work, indeed.

For over 25 years, Bebé Ellison has been honing her skills and sharpening her keen and stylish eye. She is now considered one who can be counted on among the trailblazers in the world of fashion, beauty, and art. She also runs a trendy boutique filled with original pieces created by her designer partners, where everything is one-of-three. That is to say that the boutique only carries three of everything and once the piece is gone, it's gone. Ellison also runs an art gallery with limited edition pieces. This means that she is uniquely positioned as an artist who can not only style you, but one who can potentially style your home as well. The bottom line is, if it's beauty, it's Bebé.

Bebé Ellison has come a long way from the young girl in the attic. She is a testament to hard work, passion, an innovative spirit, and creativity leading to success and the perfection of one's craft. She continues to be of service through her volunteerism, and she will remain influential in the space in which she operates for years to come.

By Daryl K. Jones