Today we’d like to introduce you to Yoli Morales-Leyva.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Yoli. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Hello there! I’m Yolanda, a first-generation Mexican-American make-up artist based in San Diego. I grew up in Logan Heights, home of one of the largest collections of murals dedicated to cultural resistance. Early in my teenage years, my family moved to City Heights, where I was exposed to many languages and cultures. Growing up in cities that are so uniquely and creatively diverse has shaped my own identity. Like the cities, I see the beauty in every different person I meet and am fortunate to be able to make people feel beautiful too. For as long as I can remember, I have always found comfort in expressing myself creatively; Painting, coloring, DIY projects. Any project that I could add vibrant colors, texture, shapes, glitter, and make it my own brought me joy. To make something more, ‘Yoli’ brings me a sense of self-gratification.
Growing up in a low-income home, you always have to think outside the box. Learning how to be a baddie on a budget is something I learned from my mom. Right before I started middle school, she learned the craft and art of acrylic nails. To this day, she’ll always have these exquisite, unreasonably long, colorful nails covered in Swarovski crystals. They were beautiful and would get all the attention they deserved. People often stop her from asking about them and she’ll always reply with, “Yo las hice!”. To be able to create things with your own hands rather than purchasing them or paying for them is something I find so admirable. Bonding with my mom over creating is something I’ll forever be grateful for. I remember watching her rock her bold lip liner with a very wet glossy lip, her pout signature eventually became mine. I strongly feel that my mom being bold, confident, and creative with her makeup and glamorous with her outfits made me who I am today. I am grateful for my mom, her support, and her iconic looks.
I started experimenting with makeup around high school. At first, it was to make myself feel pretty, going through puberty, and all I wanted to feel confident. I wasn’t the best and would only use what I found affordable. After years of self-doubt and insecurities, I found that transforming and enhancing beauty became a form of self-care rather than a routine. Sitting in front of the mirror, getting familiar with my face structure, using my face as a canvas (as cliche as it sounds), adding definition, color, blending, lashes, and being able to admire my art is amazing. That’s when I believe I truly bloom and blossom. I started creating content and would create a different look each day.
During College, I officially started my career as a makeup artist. One of the fellow Senior Makeup Artists who does all the certification, reached out to me asking if I was looking for a new job and potentially looking for a career as a Sephora Artist. I would always dream of working at Sephora. It was right then when I really started learning about technique, different products, SKINCARE and everything that comes with the beauty world. I got certified as one of their make up artist. Now I’m here freelancing and helping my clients achieve whatever makes them feel comfortable and beautiful.
Great, 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?
Financial issues were one of the struggles I faced at first. As many who struggle with wealth inequality and are trying to run their own business, creative platform and etc. Not having the right or enough resources to launch your dream can be quite difficult and frustrating. So for the longest, I rely on what I could afford. Luckily, when I got certified as an artist at Sephora. I had the privilege of being taught about so many beauty products, skills, techniques, and met so many professional artists. It definitely opened a lot of doors for me and that was one of the ways I was able to build my kit and clientele which is a whole obstacle itself. I’m forever grateful for that opportunity that was given to me.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m a makeup artist but also working on my major in STEM. I wouldn’t get into specific because I don’t want to bore y’all to death. But science is another part of me. I really take it into consideration when thinking about working with someone’s face. How products work, why or why don’t they work, different skin types or skin concerns. I really feel like it’s important that my client knows what I’m putting on their face and why. I have clients tell me “I’ve never had someone explain the ingredients to me in such detail.” I take pride in that. I never want to be that person that’s like YOU need this because it’s the best without explaining what, why, and how. My main focus for my artistic path as a makeup artist is teaching and informing my clients. I want people to be able to go home and while doing their makeup to think of all the things I taught them.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My elementary school used to have a carnival, mini-parade for Halloween, where we would all dress up and walk around the baseball field. This would take place at the end of the day, so there wouldn’t be any distracting with the costumes. Up until I was 12, I would always dress up as the same two things, a witch or a vampire. Since all I needed was a black dress and my mom’s skill with special fx make up. I remember I decided to be a vampire that year. I was so excited because my mom was coming to help me with my costume. Halloween is my favorite holiday and the only day where I could wear makeup and paint my nails black. I love the feeling of my mom applying the liquid latex and looking like a completely different character. I was living a dream while my mom was caking my face. My mom was about to put these falsies then I got this stingy sensation. She accidentally glued my eye shut with lash glue! At the time it wasn’t funny and I sort of panicked. I didn’t cry, though, because I was not going to ruin my makeup. But now looking back at it, I laugh. It was my very first makeup malfunction but I loved it. It was hilarious.
Pricing:
- Night-time Glam: starting at $65
- Daytime Soft Glam: starting at $55
- Make up Lessons: starting at $45
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artistryofyoli
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