Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Coyoc.
Hi Hannah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in Guatemala City but moved to Pennsylvania when I was adopted at five months old. I was twenty-five when I realized I wanted to be a makeup artist. I was always passionate about art ever since I can remember. At six, I started to take weekly art classes, in which I would paint, draw, paper mache, and sculpt. At the time, it was seen as a hobby, a way where I could express myself. As I got older, I knew art was much more than that and decided I wanted to be a tattoo artist. I got an apprenticeship at a shop but opted to enroll in college at my parents request. After it became clear it wasn’t a fit for me, I dropped out. It was scary because I had no idea what I wanted to do I just knew it had to be something where I could create. I was very lost at the time so I decided to move across the country to LA, even though I had never been to California before and did not know anyone. It wasn’t until I moved here that I realized makeup could be a career. I did some research and found Makeup Designory and enrolled for the end of that year, 2019. Then covid hit and halted everyone’s lives. It wasn’t until a few months ago that I finally graduated from MUD.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been an easy journey. There were so many times where I thought I wasn’t good enough and should get a “regular” job. Being an artist is allowing yourself to be vulnerable which is hard for me to do. I still do second guess myself at times but I force myself to keep going.
It’s hard being a full-time freelance makeup artist. You have to constantly network and take any opportunity that comes your way, at least when starting out. I actually meet one of my most important connections on a flight to Turkey from LAX. At the time, I had no idea who she was but she’s been in the industry for ten years and is already pretty established. You never know who you will meet and what opportunities that can change your life if you’re open to it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I graduated MUD where I was trained in special effects, film/tv, beauty, fashion/editorial, bridal, and lab work creating prosthetics. What sets me apart is that I specialize in special effects and beauty. I love being on set creating monsters and horror gruesome special effects. Although recently, I have been doing beauty/editorial photoshoots, which I am really enjoying. I want to explore both and see where it takes me, and hope to combine the two in future endeavors.
With each project I get the chance to collaborate with other creatives and execute something meaningful. Makeup is truly my passion and when I’m brought onto a new project I put everything into it.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I didn’t realize I wanted to be a makeup artist until recently, but I have always been interested in makeup. I remember growing up, my mom would take me to the beauty counter at a department store. That’s where I was first introduced to makeup. I started my makeup collection with Estee Lauder and Clinique and still use those brands today.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: hannahcoyoc.com or hannahcoyoc.squarespace.com
- Instagram: hannahcoyoc
Image Credits:
Photographers: De’ Huer Alec Luu Trevor Paul Models: Mag Dziun Charity Joy Brown Kelsey Heitzman
