Where were you born?
Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. Mexico
Where do you live now?
Dallas, TX
What’s your sign?
Scorpio (An evolved one though lol)
When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I envisioned myself as a painter when I was a kid, and by my teens I leaned more toward the idea of becoming a plastic surgeon. Makeup Artistry became a fantastic merge of both professions: I get to paint and while doing so, I achieve beautiful transformations.
How did you get your start in makeup?
It was 1999 and I had recently moved from Mexico to the USA. I was 14 and didn’t have friends during my first two years in merica, so I would spend a lot of time watching TV in hopes of understanding what America was all about. In school, I wanted to belong, but I had no idea how to join any of the high school cliques. At the time, movies like Clueless, She’s All That and A Walk to Remember often showed the fantasy of how a “makeover” and the power of beauty would change the protagonist’s lonely life into one full of friends and success. That’s when it clicked for the first time, makeup could be transformative to the point that it would become life-changing! So, It all started with a silver aluminum makeup train case Larry (my stepdadwhom I love and adore) got me. It wasn’t quality makeup nor some expensive brand-name kit, but it sure helped me visualize and get familiar with basic items that were needed to recreate a full face. It even came with brushes, so It truly felt like the real deal!
Since we didn’t have cable at the time, I needed to watch Access Hollywood, Extra, or The Rosie Show to get about two minutes or less worth of makeup looks from the artist/ celebrities I loved so I could use it as my makeup inspiration. I’d watch over and over again and make mental notes. The next day I’d wake up super early to get glammed up. I would pretend the school hallways were my red carpet and instantly I was living my own fantasy/movie and people wanted to know how I recreated this look and would stop me to ask about the products used. I would save my $10 weekly allowance to grow my kit with some Wet n Wild, Bonne Bell, Hard Candy, and Lip Smackers. It didn’t take long before I started doing my friends’ makeup for Homecoming and Prom…the rest is history.
If you hadn’t gotten into makeup what do you think you’d be doing right now?
There is no way I wouldn’t have gotten into makeup. I was either going to find a way or learn how to make my way into the makeup artistry world. Makeup has always been a huge part of who I am and a key element of me finding myself. I think I’d be lost if I wasn’t in this industry doing what I love the most.
How did you know that the makeup artist industry was where you wanted to be?
I knew what I DIDN’T want, so that made it easier when knowing what I DID want. I wanted the freedom that came with being creative and managing your own business. A 9-to-5 and a college degree was never the goal. However, finding myself and what I could do for the rest of my life did become the goal. After a lot of years of trying different things, jobs, and career paths It always came down to what came naturally: makeup artistry
What was your first memorable work as an artist?
My most memorable work is the one I have yet to still build, pave and secure for fellow hijabs and Latinas alike. I’ve created lots of work that I’ve been super proud of over the past two decades, but to be completely honest, there is no commercial or editorial work, celebrity, or job title that compares in satisfaction with being a pioneer for all hijabi women in this industry. I became the first Latina hijabi artist to secure agency representation in the US, as well as the first Latina hijabi artist to sign an exclusive contract with a global cosmetic brand as an ambassador. Although this is huge, it’s not enough when I’m the only one. I’m currently and actively trying to change this; we need more.
What are the things about your work that make it the most interesting to you?
There’s always a story behind the makeup I do, it’s rarely told, but behind each application, there is a character or mood in my head that I’m trying to bring to life. A lot of thought and depth are brought into my creative process. I want people to feel something when they see my work.
What are the challenges you face working as a freelance artist?
Thankfully, I have an agent that I adore and love – Madeline Leonard. She gets me and gets my purpose for why I wake up every day to do what I do. I haven’t been freelance in a while, but when I was, I wasn’t facing many challenges because I was a great agent to myself. I knew what I wanted and I wasn’t shy to pursue those opportunities. However, being in a small market like Dallas did affect me when it came to being limited to the type of work I could do or would enjoy doing. That was the biggest problem for me when I was freelance, outgrowing a market that I never felt I belonged to, which narrowed my opportunities to keep developing as an artist
What makes you a good makeup artist?
Sandy Linter once sent me a postcard telling me “I would make t in this industry because I have HEART” — so I’m going with that one. And yes I did frame that note!
What should someone who is looking to develop a career in makeup know before getting into the business?
It’s not cheap or easy, but it sure is worth it if you’re willing to work hard. But never forget to be kind. Passion is key. It will come in handy when you feel like quitting, but you’re also going to need heart when it comes to staying authentic to who you are and your values. Comparison is the thief of joy, never think you aren’t capable or able to create something equally as beautiful as any of your colleagues. There is only one YOU and the world needs to see the true essence of YOUR work.
What are some of the most important qualities that a makeup artist can have?
Best qualities to have when interacting with clients: Attention to detail, cleanliness, being able to follow directions. Best qualities for self-growth: Receptive to new ideas, comfortable navigating through different trends, willing to grow and embark on new challenges. Best qualities we can bring to our artist community or when interacting with fellow artists: Respect and integrity to self and when speaking of others.
How do you continue to grow as an artist?
I keep doing things that are way out of my comfort zone. As much as I love a good challenge, it always breaks me, but I end up learning something new about myself that I didn’t know before. This industry is fast-paced so if you don’t evolve with it you can fall far behind.
What has changed most about the industry in the time that you’ve been working in makeup?
Lots has changed. We are in a new digital era that requires artists to be everything: Videographer, photographer, art director, stylist, etc… But frankly, I’m not mad at it. I love being able to produce all my work because I enjoy curating my work. I love this ra we are living in. The golden years of the 1% of successful makeup artists will never be again, but now everyone gets to be that 1% through the magic of social media.
How has social media affected your career or work?
It has created a wonderful bridge that connects me with the rest of the world. My current job title as a Global Ambassador for KVD Beauty was because I got discovered through social media. The pandemic gave me no option but to start doing makeup on myself. The internet loved it and people were so thrilled to see a Mexican Muslim woman with a rock ‘n roll vibe doing selfapplications. Halfway through the pandemic, I got an email from the VP of Kendo offering me a Global Artistry Ambassadorship and I never looked back. I’m living my “happily ever after”.
Do you have a signature style?
Regardless of what I do, I love good hydrated dewy looking skin. I love dramatic eyes with an element of decay (not perfect and beautifully symmetrical or glam) more like a lived-in afterparty look after hanging out by the sauna all night. I like blush that looks flushed. Some element of rock and roll has to be part of my makeup whether that means smudging a perfectlooking eye or giving the illusion that it’s effortlessly beautiful. Gel on brows … bold brows … never boxed-type filled brows.
What type of work do you find most satisfying? Do you prefer one type of work to another?
I LOVE fashion editorial work the most, but frankly, any work that allows me to tell my story through makeup I feel incredibly blessed to do.
Do you have a project that you’ve done that you are especially proud of?
I must admit that it isn’t a celebrity or campaign. Frankly, I’m proud of my website. It’s by far one of the hardest things I’ve ever one. Like most artists, I have such a hard time explaining “me”, so creating my website while trying to nail down my overall essence through a bio, colors, and choosing portfolio images was definitely hard. Thankfully, I didn’t do it alone and my wonderful marketing and branding team Chris and Diana held my hand during the whole process.
Do you ever get stuck creatively?
Yes! All the time. I get into this mental funk and I struggle creatively when I’m under a huge amount of stress. Thankfully, I have a wonderful assistant and team that help me navigate these creative blurs.
What project did you have the most fun working on?
I am particularly excited about a project I haven’t revealed yet because it’s still in the works. I’m curating for two different Museums and I can’t wait to announce the collaborations.
What project was the most challenging?
Doing makeup for my teen icon, Shirley Manson. She was THE MOST wonderful client ever: Smart, kind, cool, and such a badass! I was so nervous it took me 1.5 hours to do a black graphic smokey eye…I mean come on! It only takes 15 minutes max, but my brain was operating at a sluggish pace. I never get star-struck or nervous, but thank God for the fact that the hair artist needed more time to do her hair because I still don’t know how It took me that long. Glad I didn’t sh*t my pants too because that would’ve been awkward. Haha!
What would your clients say is the best thing about working with you?
Kit-wise: I’m very organized, clean, and aesthetically pleasing. Artist-wise: I’m receptive, kind, and care about my clients’ needs and wants. I don’t just provide a service, I’m a whole experience.
Is there someone you have always wanted to work on whom you haven’t had the chance to do yet?
The legendary Britney Spears.
Whose work do you admire?
Billy B., Pat McGrath, Alex Box, Ellis Faas, Isamaya Ffrench, and Kabuki.
Words Michael DeVellis
Photos Courtesy of Sandra Saenz
