Today we’d like to introduce you to Myia Sosa.
Myia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As an adolescent, I knew my heart was set on taking care of animals, but I wasn’t too sure if I wanted that to be my only career forever. Seeing that my mom is a very smart woman of many talents, I figured it was only right to follow in her footsteps and become someone she could definitely be proud of. I would always watch my mother apply makeup for work, her photoshoots, and sometimes for a simple girls night out. The more I watched her, the more curious I had become about makeup and what it takes to be a great model such as herself.
Becoming a young adult in high school I finally decided to risk it and try to apply a small amount first. It started with just mascara, and eyeliner. Surprisingly more people had noticed the small amount of makeup than what I intended. It was a shock to most but it received a lot of compliments. From there, I decided to study more into makeup with the only resources I had. YouTube and my mom. After six months into my Vet Tech career, I started to dream BIG. I had come up with this brilliant idea that I would someday open my own little spot to do makeup out of. After doing the research, I realized you had to obtain a license to do so.
After I knew for sure this was the next move I wanted to make I wasted no time enrolling into Regency Beauty Institute, a Cosmetology School full time. I got majority of my practice in on the students during our free time and even some of the clients that were asking to book with me for makeup services. I was always nervous and wondered about them not being satisfied with their end result, but the more I practiced I learned how to work with everyone to each of their own requirements. With only four months left to go of the program we were all sadden with a phone call that afternoon after a normal day of school informing us that Regency Beauty Institute would no longer remain open after filing for bankruptcy.
Little did we know that day would be our last day as a group in cosmetology school. We were given options but after going so far into the program just to have a door slammed on me made me lose all of the drive and motivation that I had for the reason I started. After dwelling on it for some time I decided to work as a Freelance MUA in local Dallas/Houston Area. From there, I continued to build clientele and a local following on Instagram. The more work I pushed and promoted I would become booked during Prom/Grad season. I made sure to film and post to YouTube all of the clients that I had, as well as videos I filmed practicing on relatives.
From there, I started to receive opportunities such as doing an interview for TLC’s TV show Rattled, to being in music videos, and now striving to be a great model like my mother. I was also given the opportunity by Houston’s very own, Laura McIntyre to shoot with her. She encouraged me and insisted that I promoted myself as such because it could go very far. Since shooting with her I’ve gained such confidence I didn’t find deep within myself. She has helped me with soooo many things when it comes to offers, how to accept and decline and know the value that I have within myself. I haven’t lost all hope but I am pushing myself more to get myself out there and hopefully see my face on someone’s magazine, or in someone’s store on a poster for their brand, makeup, and or modeling. I owe my mother so much, and making this happen is my way of giving back and finally someday being able to take care of her in all of the ways I am dreaming about!
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has not been easy at all. It has been a challenge because now that I am a mother I would always have to make sure it was fine with my mom to watch my son while I do makeup, or attend certain events. Sometimes I wouldn’t book anything at all because in the end my child comes first and being that my mother would help me with him as much as she could, she would need a break as well. It was only fair. Another struggle that I faced was of course having someone book and not show up to their appointments or saying last minute that we’re going to cancel. This was the start of me requiring deposits. Someone who really wanted services done could have received them instead of me telling them “Oh sorry I can’t I’m booked at that time”, which in reality would cause me to lose a client and revenue. Being that Cosmetology School had taken a turn for the worst I had to really step up what I had to offer on my own and find a way to maneuver around the roadblock that was placed in front of me.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
As far as my business goes, I am a freelancing Self Taught MUA and that is what I am known for best. It’s kind of hard to say what I specialize in when it comes to makeup because I love every step there is to it. I’m sure someday I will get really really good at something in specific that I love doing and say that’s what I specialize in but as of right now I love every step of it.
What I am most proud of is how far I’ve come when it comes down to the makeup thing as a whole. It’s soooooo much competition these days with makeup it’s extremely hard to get yourself out there and make yourself known in the beauty community. Some days I think of it as it might just be a hobby and it wouldn’t take me anywhere and some days I have people telling me how gorgeous my work is and I feel like there is a chance.
What sets me apart from others is being a self-taught MUA who is now transitioning into a Novice Model. It’s pretty unique to have a model that’s capable of coming to her shoot prepared with hair and makeup done and being able to switch up the look pretty quick if needed.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Houston is definitely a good place to do business as an MUA. Simply because people come here from all over the world. I’ve done many many clients who were in town for the weekend for major events and needed their makeup done.
Pricing:
- Full face $60
- $20 deposit required when booking appointment
Contact Info:
- Email: myia.sosa@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunkissedsosa/
Image Credit:
Photo Credits: Laura McIntyre
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