Today we’d like to introduce you to Luis Booker.
Luis, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Every Christmas in high school I got makeup but I wasn’t allowed to wear it outside. So many nights I was glued to the mirror applying AVON & dying laughing at Kevin hart stands ups. Around this time, Youtubers became a thing and there I was watching sonjdra deluxe apply makeup with her hands!! Once I graduated high school, the obsession became real. More people in public really loved my makeup but I never considered me being a MUA. Finally, one of my co-workers told me I was doing her makeup lol she wouldn’t take no for an answer one thing lead to another and I remember getting my first 1,000 income tax check and buying nothing but makeup to start my kit. I didn’t think I would even get to the point of charging clients but they loved my work and booked my services! So here I am 18-19 years old, quitting my job at red lobster to take a “leap of faith” to do makeup full time lol looking back I was crazy thinking I could survive off $30 faces while traveling to all my clients. I even pursued cosmetology school but I never once was interested in the mannequins or hair products. I showed up to school everyday with my makeup kit. I only completed a semester and decided hair is not for me JUST MAKEUP!
While all these things in life are happening around me I find myself pregnant at 20 YO, still trying to find my way in the industry. People influenced me to apply for MAC and so I did but that wasn’t the right time but only pushed me to get better at my craft. So fast forward to when my son was about six months, I’m getting the hang of life as mom & I have the determination to get back on it again, thanks to my son. I applied for MAC cosmetics for the 2nd time & it was nothing but God’s timing. I couldn’t believe it I landed a job at MAC as a permanent MUA at the new free-standing store in bay brook mall this was HUGE! This was a turning point for me. Personally, I gained my confidence back & hit the ground running I couldn’t be stop. From 2016-2017 I held my position at MAC & this is where time management, sanitation and diversity really shaped me into a better artist. 2017 after Harvey hit me and my lil family moved to Las Cruces, NM, with my bf while pursuing his basketball career at New Mexico State. This is where God put me in an uncomfortable situation to watch me grow. New Mexico was a COMPLETE culture shock, and makeup was not up to “trend”, slow pace of life & cost of living was cheap… it was just different.
As much as I was depressed, I didn’t let that stop me from showing NM what I could do. My 3rd bedroom was my makeup studio and I thought perfect clients will love this but boy was I wrong I had to go down on my prices. I even did free bridal consultation to bring business but it didn’t help much. So then I thought, well since I still have the support back home, why not use that platform, so I did just that I brought in models and did Facebook live videos on models every Sunday. In a weird way, this made me feel at home again. After two years of living in NM it was finally time to go back to Houston, TX. I remember telling people in NM I got something to go back to I gotta make it. But I thank God for all the struggles I had to overcome in NM cause I guarantee I will never take home from granted it’s so many opportunities here, no reason everybody can’t have something going for themselves. So here I am, six years into the industry, something I will never turn my back on makeup pays my bills, it’s my career, and it’s constantly changing. I just want to give a sincere thank you to my clients that have continued to support me even when I left home. I’ve been apart of many memories in the last six years & I love every bit of it. This is what I love to do.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a journey I’ll just say that. NM was definitely a challenge sitting back watching people back home have clients all the time and I’m barely getting business was hard to watch. But I still cheered them on it just wasn’t my season yet! Rather things went my way or gods way, I still have faith that things will always fall into place.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a MUA but I’m very diverse and such a personable person. Anybody is welcomed in my chair. I specialize in bridal, prom, video shoots etc. I never brag about this because I’m very grateful for this but all of my clients return I can’t name a client I’ve only had book me once. They always return!!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Looking back 5-6 years ago, makeup literally changes everyday. I want to continue to grow with the industry add some new crafts under my belt for sure. I’m always open to networking and collaboration with different industries.
Contact Info:
- Email: Makeupbylu2020@yahoo.com
- Instagram: _Makeupby_lu
- Facebook: Makeup By Lu
- Youtube: Versatilexlu
Image Credits
Ginny Clark Krystie L Archer DaWonn J Andrew Joseph Mayer
