Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Torres.
Elizabeth, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My entire life I thought I wanted to be a nurse, putting bandages on my grandmothers moles as a child role-playing as if I was her future nurse. Now as a Professional Makeup Artist I realized this was my destiny, with a heart of a nurse caring for my clients needs uplifting their spirits but through a makeup brush. My story is simple… I was once the girl who didn’t know a thing about how to wear or use makeup, eyebrows either overly drawn or too thin, foundation too bright or too dark. The only thing right at the time I started using makeup was the feeling it brought me after applying it on myself. That ignition it sparked in my confidence is what lead me to becoming a makeup artist. I knew I wanted to give other women that same feeling.
Fresh out of high school I was working at a salon/spa retail store as the salon receptionist, my hair was red faded into magenta at the time and of course I kept my makeup done to look my part. Often I was mistaken as a hairstylist or makeup artist so clients constantly tried booking their appointment with me. My response was always “sorry I’m just the receptionist here let me recommend you to a stylist.” But internally I wanted to scream yes right this way let’s fix you up! Well that day finally came it was prom season and the stores makeup artist quit, leaving behind all pre booked appointments. In a panic my boss came to the one person who wasn’t booked but always looked the part, and that was me. Everyone knows how hard it is to find a prom appointment the week of prom I myself also didn’t want to let down all the girls who’ve booked with our store so I took the chance and filled in as the makeup artist. It was the best decision I ever made because of that brave decision I then permanently filled that role in store as the makeup artist.
Fast forward to my life now I’m currently one of 4 Senior Artist out of Houston for Sephora I’ve been working for Sephora for four years. With this amazing company I’ve learned so much and have accomplished so much like being makeup and facial certified, class coach and senior artist certified. Receiving training from global artist for many brands and flying out to Vegas in 2018 for the senior artist summit. Currently, I’m also a student at Paul Mitchell the school Houston. Where I’ve been able to make it to the honors team program and winning second place in the makeup competition in the annual Paul Mitchell caper hair show that was held in California. Against 49 other artist and 3,000 different schools from around the world. I’ve accomplished a lot for a young women in her early 20s but this is my passion, my client’s stories inspire to keep giving them the best service I can give.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Definitely has not been a smooth road, life happens and we have to adjust to the changes that come with life. My best advice to any upcoming Artist in the beauty industry is be open to learning new ways from others. Even if you feel like your the best of the best you’re never too good for education Be open-minded to your peers.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a freelance makeup artist, certified lash tech and in three more months, I’ll graduate from Paul Mitchell with my cosmetology license. I’m known for the makeup I do, I believe makeup without filters is real makeup, I love skin that looks real I can teach my clients how to achieve full coverage in the areas needed without the cake look. I think what sets me apart is the product knowledge I have. Understanding ingredients is so important because you should know what your applying on others and understanding what products works with the different skin types we have. Skin prep is key to beautiful makeup and I enjoy teaching other artist and my clients how to achieve just that.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always playing outside I loved nature, animals, and people. I did not understand the rules don’t talk to strangers. I would talk to anyone around me, my interest were climbing trees, finding animals bringing them home hiding them and when caught pleading to my mom I would take better care of them than their mothers. I have a huge heart it’s a good/bad trait to have, but it helps me connect to the different personalities in people I meet daily.
Contact Info:
- Email: glambyliz24@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @lizluxemua
Image Credit:
Clients E.yvette, Anarosastyle_, Lyssap101
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