I first discovered the beauty industry as a last resort. I had previously jumped around from career to career and nothing ever seemed to fit. I had previously tried to pursue a career in culinary arts. I thought this would be a natural fit since I had such a passion for cooking. I soon learned that love for something isn’t enough.
It was at the suggestion of a friend that I accompany her to a local community college to sign up for a cosmetology program. During high school I had worked in the theatre department, doing everything from acting, to hanging lights, all the way to hair and makeup. Being at a point where nothing else had worked, I decided why not give it a try. The worst it could be, I would lose my tuition and some time.
This turned out to be the perfect fit. I soon discovered that I had a natural talent for this art and was ready to learn all I could. I found all the outside sources of education I could. I soon ventured into a very unfamiliar arena…makeup. Other than making actors who were in their mid-teens look like senior citizens on stage, I had no experience with beauty makeup. I got every piece of information I could get my hands on. books, magazines, dvds…. I soaked it up. Unbeknownst to me, this knowledge would soon be paying off in a huge way.
I left my home state of Texas and moved to sunny California. Here I was in one of the epicenters of beauty… and I COULD’NT work. I had to wait to get my license in LA. I had to go through massive amounts of red tape and even had to go back to school for a month to supplement my training hours. During this time, the only work I could get was either flippin’ burgers or doing makeup… easy choice. I started getting my name out to as many industry websites and publications as I could. I did makeup work on music videos and photoshoots to pay the bills and to keep from going crazy.
That brings us to present day. I, by no means, am an expert, but I do consider myself an eternal student. I am always learning new tricks from publications and other artists. Instead of sitting on this knowledge I have amassed since I first began in this industry, I chose to share it with you.
I consider myself an “ugly duckling” of sorts. I went through life overweight and awkward. I had a hard time fitting in, because I didn’t have the confidence to be me. Now even though things have changed physically over the years, the biggest change for me was mentally. I learned to see the great things about myself that made me unique. I may not have a gym body or the face of a Greek God, but I have learned my strong points and know how to accentuate them.
We all have the power within ourselves to be as beautiful and amazing as we want to be. We just have to harness it and not be afraid. Welcome to my world!
Stay Beautiful!
