Today we’d like to introduce you to Monse Meza
Hi Monse, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My fascination for makeup started when I was in middle school, seeing all the girls wearing mascara and blush some of them concealer, and I just wanted to feel as pretty as I thought they were but I wasn’t allowed to wear any of it, maybe clear mascara sometimes but that would be it. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I started doing my makeup. Whenever I had free time I would always watch YouTube tutorials and practice a lot locked in my room. After a while, I went from just basic everyday makeup to full glams, crazy colors for eyeshadow and experimenting with techniques I saw online. When I started to go to school with more makeup my friends and classmates would tell me I should do that when I grew up but at the time I didn’t think I had what it took to make a career out of this so my first career choice was to be a marine biologist, I was just so curious about the sea and honestly, I really wanted to work with the animals. Sophomore year came around and I started practicing on other people, friends, family and family friends for special events like homecoming, prom, and my mom’s work events, which, the more I did the more I realized I could actually do this for a living. After I graduated high school I decided to start cosmetology school and that’s when I fully committed to makeup as my career. My makeup teacher Sonia Tabor at the time was the makeup lead for Fashion Week San Diego and invited me to join her team for the 2020 fall show and I fell in love with the environment, it was so fast pace and it really challenged my skills and ability , which quite honestly I like a good challenge, and have been on the team since then, leading to now, working on being able to be the makeup lead. After cosmetology school, I was also working at a salon which allowed me to be in the wedding side of the industry as well which is very fulfilling. Knowing you had a small part in someone’s big day and being able to help them feel their best on the biggest day of their life, I can’t imagine a better feeling. That feeling is what keeps me going in this industry, being able to help someone feel their best for at least a day or a few hours because everyone deserves to feel as beautiful as they are, my style of makeup is more of enhancing the beauty features you already have enough for you to be able to see them too. For some people it might be superficial but I think unless you’ve been there you shouldn’t judge someone for what they chose to do to feel beautiful. However i also love the avant-garde and fashion makeup looks just as much, i find them to be fun and liberating because of the creativity of them. As i mentioned before I am currently working my way up to be the make-up lead for Fashion Week San Diego and working towards a bigger clientele by doing collaboration photoshoots and runway shows. i have two goals in this industry. One is to be able to do a celebrities makeup one day, someone empowering with high values. My second goal is to simply be able to help as many woman as i can to feel as beautiful they are.
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?
I think one of my bigger struggles have been going to cosmetology school during the pandemic, not being able to learn hands on really tested my skills. Another thing that I’ve struggled with is comparing my work to others artists, being able to know my worth in this industry has been challenging. There’s so many incredibly talented artists in this industry and so many that I look up to and admire their work that sometimes I question if I’ll ever be that talented but I have learned that everyone has their own style, their own time frame and everything comes with practice.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I don’t necessarily have a specialty, however I enjoy fashion makeup the most, whether it’s runway, photo shoots, avant-garde events, that’s when I can really let my creativity flow and just have fun with it. I like to be challenged in my skills and knowledge and learning new ways to execute the vision that is prompted to me. Don’t get me wrong though,I love bridal makeup and showing woman the beauty they carry with them and helping them feel special and confident on their special day. It’s a very rewarding feeling. Something that sets me apart from other artists would be my ability to adjust and adapt to the environment that I am given, I have worked quite literally on the side of the road all the way to my client having their own glam room and I will deliver the same results. I will always find a way to make things work for my clients and give the best results possible.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I honestly don’t have just one single mentor, I like to learn something different from every person I meet. Whether it be a new technique, a new product, advice within the industry, or even personal advice, I believe there’s a reason for every person I meet so I just try to learn from each one. I love meeting people in the industry that support other artists. Even though this industry is growing rapidly there is room for every one of us here i also I believe we should all support each other to meet our goals and purpose. I can’t imagine where I’d even be without the people I have met and have guided me throughout the years. I will forever be thankful for every single one of them.
Pricing:
- it varies from service, event and might even include a travel fee.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
@parallel33photography
@denameederportraits
@lilyjgphotos
@mariana.pereverten.ph
