Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariana Flores.
Hi Mariana, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always had a strong interest in the beauty industry. In High School, I began doing my friend’s hair and makeup for fun. Soon after, I began to receive more and more requests from other classmates for major events such as Homecoming and Prom. It wasn’t until various people that were so impressed by my skills told me that I should pursue this as a career. I had always seen makeup as my biggest hobby, but over the years, there has been such a strong demand in the industry that I knew I could make a difference with my skills. Therefore, after I graduated college, I decided to pursue my passion and become a certified makeup artist. I took courses in both Miami and Texas, and even with world-renowned artists in the industry such as Lipstick Nick. I soon after began networking around in Houston, Mexico and New York City. Now I am lucky enough to have three certifications and clients in and out of state.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No road will ever be smooth but the best thing to remember is that you will learn from mistakes and it’s also a great motivation to get to where you want to be in life. With hard work and discipline, you will get there no matter what. Being the artist I am, it can be hard because it is a highly competitive field that requires you to put yourself out there. It takes a lot of dedication, but I have never seen that as a struggle for me because it is my passion and I am highly motivated to make everyone feel confident in their own skin. There is no better feeling than to see how happy my clients react when they see themselves in the mirror. In those moments, I realize that all of my hard work, dedication and sacrifices are worth the effort.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m professionally trained to do all types of makeup: Bridal, Runway, Glam, Airbrush and Editorial Makeup. I am proud to say that I was one of the lucky few chosen to be a makeup artist for New York Fashion Week twice in a row. It was truly an incredible and unforgettable experience which greatly helped me gain valuable skills. I think what sets me apart from others is my way of quickly connecting with my clients and making them feel comfortable. Being in the makeup industry, you will always meet new people so it’s important to always be open and willing to listen to the client’s needs and requests. Makeup isn’t just about the art; it is also about the vibe and energy you bring. The client is the one who provides the vision as to what they are looking for and I want them to rely on me completely to make that vision come to life.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
One thing people are surprised to find out about me is the fact that I have a Bachelors Degree in Education from The University of Texas at Austin (Go Longhorns!). I previously worked as a teacher and sometimes get asked why I decided to do a career shift to makeup. My answer is always simple: to follow my passion. Fortunately, my degree in education has helped me greatly in my makeup career as I know how to give private and group lessons on any type of makeup or beauty product. I hope to one day fulfill my goal of combining both my degree and my makeup skills to teach makeup or open my own beauty school. Only time will tell!
Contact Info:
- Email: mariana@marmakeup.com
- Instagram: @marmua
- Twitter: @mariana_mua
- Other: Tiktok: @marianamua
