Today we’d like to introduce you to Rickie Bocanegra.
Rickie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I always say I’ve been a licensed professional for just about 12 years but I truly started doing makeup and hair around the age of 17. I have always known that I wanted to be in a creative career. I love expressing myself through color, whether it be a face or paper. I attended cosmetology school about 13 years ago, graduated and received my license. I began assisting in a salon while in school and immediately after receiving my license began working behind the chair. The salon was a bridal focus salon, I fell in love with that side of the industry instantly. During this time I have an amazing opportunity through the salon to do hair for Bel Aire Bridal (an amazing veil company), I never knew that this day would forever change my career. On set, I (unknowingly) worked alongside Gregory Arlt MAC’s Senior Artist and MUA to the stars.
Makeup at that time was something I considered getting better at but I was not actively pursuing until Gregory said: “you should.” Two simple words to my curiosity of makeup and 13 years here I am being asked by you about my makeup career! But after 4 years of being in the salon and just after having my second child, I took some time off, but never stopped my education. During this time I took Gregory’s advice and pursued more makeup education, I took every opportunity to practice the craft, to be hands on and build my makeup portfolio. I began building my business as a Freelance Bridal/ Special event Hair and Makeup artist.
Through the years I had many great positions such as Makeup Educator for Paul Mitchell Pasadena, Lead Educator and Branding Director for Poise Makeup Professional and currently Freelance Makeup Artist for CNN LA. I have been extremely grateful to have so many artists who have encouraged and mentored me along the way.
Has it been a smooth road?
I have been extremely lucky that early on in my career I aligned myself with very positive, supportive artist who share the same deep passion for the industry as I do. If anything my biggest obstacle (but us also the reason why I work so hard) is my family. I always encourage young artist who doesn’t have children to take every single opportunity that comes their way. Say yes while you can! But I have an extremely supportive family and by spending so much time building my freelance business I now work my schedule to fit their needs verse the other way around. But I do recall a few jobs that were too good to pass up and I bring the kids along with me. It’s why for me aligning myself with professionals who value the same priorities as myself are extremely important. When you put your priorities high on your list the right jobs will work around your schedule and that is pretty awesome.
Who, or what, deserves a lot of credit for where you are today?
Wow, that’s a tough one. There have been so many. Most importantly, my family, they have always encouraged me to follow my passion. But to pin point it down to what really opened my eyes to the endless possibilities in this industry and my skills, I would owe a lot of that to The Makeup Show. I encourage all new and aspiring artist to attend because it brings together our industries top of the top all in one place and feeds you with so much information. I attended my first show over 8 years ago and I truly feel that this is where my eyes opened to the amazing possibilities of being a makeup artist. Through the shows, I gained mentors and influencers such as James Vincent, Eugenia Weston, Danessa Myricks and more. They continuously inspire and motivate me.
What type of clients or projects do you look forward to most?
Oohhh, so many! My specialty is bridal and beauty but I did LA fashion week a few years back and I would love to expand on that experience. New York fashion week would be amazing and it’s something that I am working towards being a part of. I also recently picked up the camera and started capturing my work. Surprisingly I am extremely happy with the results!
What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned over the course of your career?
If I had to start over, well I am a true believer in “everything happens for a reason.” I think my journey went down a bumpy road but it was my bumpy road to own. My experiences led me to people and opportunities that I may not have had if my journey was different. I do wish that I would have began building my portfolio much sooner, there is so much work I did in my early years that I can never look back on.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rickiebocanegra.com or www.rickiebocanegrabridal.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: rickie.bocanegra and rickiebocanegra.artistry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makeup2you/
