Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Flach.
Christina , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After quitting my day job, I began my journey as a makeup artist in 1995 with the goal of being able to make money doing what I love. As a makeup artist and mother, I was constantly on the go. Between shuffling kids to school and meeting with clients, I found that there was never enough time during the day to touch up my makeup. Every lip gloss I owned wore off within a few minutes of application.
For months I tested dozens of lip products, looking for a gloss that could withstand even my busiest days. When my search came up empty, I decided to create a makeup line of my own, Pretty Girl Makeup. My mission was to develop a formula that was not only long-lasting, but also anti-aging, moisturizing, and hydrating. Self-funded since the beginning, my unique lip gloss line took over a year to formulate and design. I launched my line with colors that looked good on every skin tone so that every girl could be a pretty girl. Since the launch of Pretty Girl Makeup, my career as a makeup artist has skyrocketed. I began my career offering free makeovers in hair salons and free services to photographers. I was trying to get my foot in the door, build a client base, besides working on enough faces so that I was truly confident and capable of turning each face into the best version of itself.
After many years of hard work, I have created a career that I am incredibly proud of. I have worked with high-end brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton, have been featured in campaigns for Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdales, and have been featured in magazines including Vogue, Time, People, and Elle. My clientele includes Condoleezza Rice, Hilary Swank, Isaiah Washington, Melissa McCarthy, Rita Moreno, Renee Zellweger, and Tyler Florence. I also write articles about the best tips, tricks, and hacks in makeup and am featured as a beauty expert on California Live on NBC.
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?
Building a career is never easy. Within the beauty industry, things are constantly evolving and you have to learn to stay on top of them. A decade or so ago, beauty editors, publishers, and stylists held the majority of the power. Today, influencers run the industry. It is important to be willing to change your marketing to appeal to consumers while still staying true to your brand. It can be hard to compete against all of the celebrity lines that have come out today because they have the financial backing and fan base to bring them to the top of the market. While this can be difficult, I am still extremely confident in my brand and the product that I have created.
While building my career, I have faced a multitude of personal struggles as well. It is hard to not let your personal life impact your professional one when things go wrong. At the beginning of my career, I tragically lost my son Beau. Losing a child is a pain that I do not wish upon anyone and it was hard for me to remain focused on my career during that time. A few years ago, I also lost my husband unexpectedly to Sepsis. After losing him, I had to find a way to heal to my heart. It was extremely important to me to show my children a life full of love and purpose. Not to say I don’t feel sad and frustrated, but I really try to focus on all the amazing things in my life and the opportunities that I have had in my career, especially with being a Beauty Expert on NBC California Live.
At the time, I didn’t know my own strength. Sometimes, I still surprise myself. However, through it all, I am so proud of myself and how I have persevered. I have had some very intense tragedies in my life, but yet I don’t view my life as tragic. I view my life as having had so many miracles and blessings. I truly believe we manifest the life we want and I am creating a career that I can look back on with pride. I think it’s also important to note that we need to take care of each other in this life. It is crucial to build people up and bring people comfort and peace when things are difficult. We rely on love and family to get us through the hardest times.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
When working with my clients, my main objective is to help their inner beauty shine as bright as their outer beauty. I think it is crucial to make people feel good about themselves and build up their confidence in any way that you can. I never want to create a look for a client that does not make them feel like the best version of themselves and I never want the makeup to distract from the unique features of the face. Instead, I use makeup to enhance a person’s natural beauty and accentuate their already gorgeous features.
How do you think about happiness?
I always tell people to do what makes you happy and then to find a way to make money doing that. My career as a makeup artist truly makes me happy. It gives me the ability to connect with so many unique people and make them look & feel good about themselves. It also allows me to travel and explore places that I have never been. It gives me the flexibility to control my schedule and be with my family or friends when I need to be. In addition to my career, I find happiness in taking care of my body. I allow myself to have fun and to laugh, but I also take the time to rest, eat well, and exercise. Taking care of myself physically has helped me to be a happier person mentally. Self-care allows me to have more energy and patience to give 100% of myself to everyone in my life.
Pricing:
- Special Event Makeup: $400
- Makeup Lesson & Consultation: $500
- Photoshoot Full Day: $1200 +
- Photoshoot Half Day: $600 +
- Wedding Party: $400 +
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.christinaflach.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinaflachmakeup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Prettygirlmakup
Image Credits
Hilary Swank – US magazine Tyler Florence – Food Network Rita Moreno – People Magazine Girl with Flower Crown – Richard Shiu Girl with horse – Goode Rider Magazine (model Alivia Levie) Pink photo with pink sunglasses – Richard Shiu Copper Blazer and Pink hair – Tanner Abel
