Today we’d like to introduce you to Arianna Chavarria.
Hi Arianna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I got started in makeup at a young age. Growing up, my parents made it a safe space for me to experiment with anything I liked and supported me through it. Makeup was one of them. It started with watching my sister and mom put on minimal amounts of eyeliner and mascara. It was their daily routine, just 15 minutes to make themselves feel and look good. Then once I got older and started middle school I began to experiment with just mascara and foundation. I had no idea what I was doing or where to start but thought it was fun. I vividly remember my mom gifting me a Morphe eyeshadow palette and thinking it was the greatest gift I could have ever received.
Once I started to get familiar with brands and products, I would ask my dad to buy me all the raved products at the time. From Urban Decay eye shadow palettes to Benefit cosmetics bronzers and blushes, I was eager to try it all. I was taught that makeup was not to hide your beauty but rather to enhance your natural features. Because I was comfortable and supported while experimenting as a kid, it grew into something much more once I entered high school and started to really practice and get better at makeup.
In high school, I joined a dance team that required us to wear makeup for all our performances. Applying a full face of makeup at least once a week during football season, I was able to practice and learn quickly what works for my face and what does not. During this time, I wanted to get better at applying makeup, it is something I enjoy doing and wanted to further my skills. I would constantly watch YouTube videos and Instagram makeup artists and take away a little piece from each person I would watch and practice on myself. I loved learning to do makeup on my own and teaching myself, because 15 minutes of just me and my brush was relaxing.
Shortly after, my peers at school and on my dance team would compliment my makeup. I would only ever come to school with a minimal natural face but because I learned how to enhance my features with the right products, it looked like I had spent a lot of time doing my makeup. It was not until my junior going into senior year of high school where I was encouraged by my old group of friends to pursue makeup. I had a sleepover at my house one night and just for fun did my friend’s makeup. Then my friend hope told me to start an Instagram account and post makeup. I was against the idea because I was shy but that very next day, she sends me a screenshot of the account she created, and she told me to start so I did.
I became a freelance makeup artist in November 2019 at 17 years old. I marketed myself through social media. I would post daily makeup looks, my favorite products, tips and tricks, clients and much more. I started off doing makeup with a little mirror in my restroom with a rolling chair. I had a few palettes and some products to work with, but to me, it did not matter that I was not fully equipped with all the right materials, I was just happy being able to do what I love and share it with others. I am confident in my work and skills, so posting on my account and figuring out how to create a platform and name for myself was a fun and exciting process that I will always cherish.
One of the ways I got my name out there was by some of my first clients. The majority of my clients were actually my teammates on my high school dance team. Many of them believed in me and booked me for their events. From there I was able to network myself and make it known to their friends and family that I am a makeup artist. After gaining a clientele, all of my senior year I was booked with homecomings, senior pictures, prom and NCL events.
Midway through senior year covid hit, and many of my bookings got canceled. I took advantage of this time being at home to further my skills and practice every day. I created a Tiktok account and started making short fifteen to thirty second videos of my makeup. From there I gained even more followers and taught myself how to successfully market myself and maintain a platform. I was consistent in posting and wanted to figure the next big step in my career.
After graduating high school, I started college. In college, I knew I was not going to give up makeup, I decided to pursue a degree in Business marketing. I was able to continue freelancing, as well as explore other areas of my career. During my first semester of college, I was introduced to the world of editorial makeup. I was given the opportunity to work on a shoot by Ayo Ogunseinde, also known “armedshutter” on Instagram, a professional photographer in the Houston area. It was my first-time working side by side with a photographer and professional models. I was excited and honored that he chose me to work with.
Fast forward a few months later, the photographer Ayo had submitted our work to a magazine and our work was published in Roidx, an editorial fashion magazine. I took the opportunity because I am a firm believer in taking chances. I believe that if you are presented with an opportunity then you are ready to take it. Being courageous and believing in myself brought me to where I am today. I am twenty years old, a sophomore at the University of Houston studying business marketing. I am a successful freelance makeup artist, as well as a makeup artist at brush and blush salon. I create makeup content on Instagram @_ariasbeauty_ as well as tiktok.
I currently do makeup for all events year-round. This is my passion, I am grateful for the support, growth, and lessons. This is only the beginning to my career and to say that I am excited is an understatement. I believe in myself and my business and can’t wait to show the city what I have to offer.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road. To begin, starting out my business I did not have all the right materials. I would do my makeup in my bathroom with a small mirror while sitting on a rolling chair. In addition, I did not have enough makeup products to use on myself or my clients. It has taken over a year before I had a decent makeup kit. My parents were not always able to contribute every single item to my kit. Once I graduated high school, I got a job at my local H-E-B and started off as a bagger. With that money I contributed a percentage of it to my makeup business. This meant buying not only products but tools that would help make content on social media look better such as a ring light etc. I pride myself in using quality makeup for my clients, so I set a budget for myself every month of at least $50 to my makeup kit in order to make it grow. I worked over 40 hours each week in order to pay for not only my college but my makeup business. Managing my time was another obstacle I had to overcome. Between being a full-time student, maintaining two jobs and a social life, I learned quickly that I had to practice discipline and create a routine.
In the beginning, it did take a toll on my mental health. It was a hard transition from high school to college. Especially during covid, doing my first year of college online, with no money to pay for school, I was afraid I would have to give up makeup in order to ease my workload. I was stressed out, tired, and frustrated. There were numerous nights where I would question, if makeup was worth continuing, if I should take a break or quit altogether. Although, I did not let the negative thoughts overtake my vision and dreams. I knew I had to make a lifestyle change and make some sacrifices. I dedicated Monday-Friday to school and work, and weekends to working as a makeup artist, and posting on all social media platforms. This schedule also allowed me to have my nights to hang out with family and friends.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a makeup artist who is known for natural glam and creative makeup looks. In these past two years, working as a professional makeup artist, I have worked many events. This includes prom, homecoming, senior pictures, bridal, editorial, holiday glam, headshots, and much more. I apply makeup in a way that enhances one’s natural features rather than alter their face. My work can be seen on social media through pictures and videos. What sets me apart from others is that I am disciplined, self-motivated, and courageous. An example of discipline would be the routine I put in place in order to maintain a successful business. I make sure to constantly post and provide a variety of content. In addition, I dedicate a lot of time to learning more skills, so that I am prepared for whatever comes my way. I stay motivated by reminding myself where I want to end up.
One of the goals that I remind myself of is opening up my own luxury makeup salon in Houston, Tx. I am most proud of my work, skill set, and achievements. Seeing others interact with my content, book appointments, and wanting to see more of my work has been tremendously rewarding. I am impressed with how much I have improved my makeup skills over this past year. I got out of my comfort zone and started to post creative makeup looks, by using bold colors and creating videos. I am grateful for the obstacles, lessons, and achievements from the past couple of years and I am excited to see what this new year will bring.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I never would have imagined myself being a successful makeup artist at the age of 20. What was once a hobby, turned into a passion and a career. Through consistency and discipline, I have been able to get to where I am at today. Despite the obstacles I have faced, I did not let the negativity and fear keep me from achieving my goals. If there is one piece of advice, I could share with anyone it is that you should always take chances. If there is something, you love and want to pursue just do it. If the opportunity arises, take it, if you were not ready, the opportunity would not be there. Do not let uncertainty and fear push you away from working towards your goals, everyone is capable of achieving whatever they put their mind to.
Pricing:
- Makeup Full Face/ $65
- Travel fee/ $15
- Lash application (client provides lash)/$10
- Lashes along w/ application/$15
- Deposit upon booking/$15
Contact Info:
- Email: ariannachavarria663@gmail.com
- Instagram: @_ariasbeauty_ | @aria.chavarria
- Twitter: @ariiichavarria
- Tiktok: @_ariasbeauty_
Image Credits
Ayo Ogunseinde
Katelyn Weber
Arianna Chavarria
