Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Cruz.
Valerie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My makeup journey started at a very young age. I started wearing makeup in middle school to cover up my blemished teenage skin, then it turned into blush, eyeshadow, highlight and then eventually a full face of glam products! I was always experimenting with new and trending makeup techniques all throughout high school, and it quickly turned into a passion of mine. Once I moved to San Diego, I was mainly doing makeup just for fun on my friends. However, it slowly turned into small weddings, and special events here and there, and then grew to what it is now. My makeup artist business SlaybyValerie is still growing and gaining traction as I glam up brides and meet clients from all over San Diego County. I’m so grateful for the makeup journey that I’ve had and cannot wait for what is to come!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road by any means. One of the most difficult challenges of a makeup artist is gaining followers and building clientele. I moved here from North Carolina 5 years ago, not knowing anyone in the makeup artist business and having zero connections. I had to work hard to get to where I am now. Whether it was reaching out to photographers to offer free work, pulling friends left and right to be my makeup models and constantly posting my work on Instagram even though it felt meaningless to. Every business starts out small, and eventually, through hard work and consistency it will grow and become successful!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in bridal and special event makeup. Special events can range anywhere from Prom, maternity photoshoots, engagement glam, birthday makeup, etc. However, I believe what sets me apart is that I also love to do full glam and special effect makeup. Especially around Halloween time! Makeup is a creative outlet that allows me to fully express myself through art. Every face is different and presents itself as a canvas to be painted. I believe that I have mastered the ability to enhance a woman’s natural beauty with makeup through a variety of techniques. I’m proud that I can create something from a dewy natural makeup look to a full Smokey eye glam look with bold lashes. There’s no greater satisfaction as a makeup artist, than to see a clients face light up when you hand her the mirror to see the final look. My goal is to boost every one of my client’s confidence and make her feel more beautiful than ever. Makeup truly is an art and the possibilities are endless.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Some advice I have is to always seek mentorship and advice from professionals in the same business. Whether that is reaching out to a beauty agency or taking a 1:1 mentor lesson with someone who is killing it in the game! Never stop learning, and asking questions to those who you admire in the same field. Humility goes a long way, and you need to start at the bottom in order to make it to the top! (I’m still on my way there!)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @slaybyvalerie
