Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Montano.
Sara, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My passion for hair and makeup began at the tender age of six years old. I recall watching my mother getting ready every day. She was always well-dressed, always had her hair styled perfectly and wore her usual classic red lipstick, mascara, blush and groomed brows. She always reminded me that no matter how a lady is feeling, she should always try to look her best. Because I was too young to wear makeup and style my hair with heat, I took it upon myself to adopt this motto and make our pets feel their very best!
My first clients were pro-bono, they were my mother’s hens! Although they were not the steadiest, they seemed to enjoy my combing their feathers. I knew then and there I would someday be making others feel AND look their very best. In high school, I dreamed of learning professional hair and makeup but would later tell myself this was not a real job. When my counselors asked me what I wanted to do, I lied and said I wanted to be a Criminal Investigator. Yes, I’ve always had a wild and creative imagination!
My artistic journey began in middle school and it was in high school that I realized I loved art. I enrolled in various art classes including art design, freehand drawing, painting and this is where I learned the fundamentals of color theory, form, shape, balance expression and art history. Later in college, I studied photography, and absolutely fell in love with capturing the beauty, essence in its natural form. I later graduated with a degree in Business Management with an attempt to fit the social norm. I worked in the corporate world for a few years, all the while freelancing as a makeup artist. But the heart an artist never stops burning with passion…
In 2014, I decided to leave my 9-5 and pursue my dreams. I enrolled in beauty school and officially graduated as a professional makeup artist. The transition was not easy, it was a bit scary, to say the least. I quickly found a job where I felt I could express my creativity and professionalism. I started freelancing for MAC cosmetics while continuing her education in the arts and social sciences. Theater captured my love for expression, creativity, passion and rawness. I volunteered as an artist for a few plays at the community college and enrolled in a wig for a theater class.
I then learned how to manipulate wigs, from maintenance to styling to wig ventilating. This was such a fun experience as well and it gave me insight into another world of makeup and hair. In the meantime, I started building my beauty portfolio by doing boudoir shoots. Eventually, other photographers began seeing my work and my name started floating around the photo community. I worked on many projects from fashion, commercial, editorial, runway, headshots and more. I also worked on short films, TV pilots and bridal.
Although I adore all of these, I found that I enjoy doing more of the classic, natural looks. and so I currently specialize in natural beauty. I receive many inquiries for headshot makeup and hair and currently work alongside some of LA’s best headshot photographers. I am currently a freelance makeup/hair artist primarily in the studio for photo shoots. When I am not in the studio, I am usually freelancing for Armani Beauty, Yves Saint Laurent or making private clients feel and look their very best.
I enjoy meeting so many folks from different walks of life and hearing their stories as well. I feel that we all learn from each other and these encounters always leave us with a little more than before. I absolutely love to do and would not trade this for anything in the world!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Getting to where I am today has not been easy. The biggest hurdle I had to overcome was my insecurity. Shortly after high school, I was involved in a toxic and abusive relationship that lasted far longer than it should have and stripped me of my self-identity. Ending that chapter of my life was not as easy as some like to think it is but luckily this experience did not take away my strength because one day I chose to walk away and decided to never look back.
However, it took some time to pick up my broken pieces and put them back together again. I suffered from the insecurity that affected everything in me and around me. I would often fear I was not good enough and this fear kept me from fulfilling my highest aspirations. Eventually, I was able to channel this inner strength and overcome these fears and insecurities, which I realized-were never mine!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with SM Makeup Artistry – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am a national freelance Makeup/Hair Artist based in Los Angeles.
I currently specialize in natural beauty. I receive many inquiries for headshot makeup and hair and currently work alongside some of LA’s best headshot photographers. I am currently a freelance makeup/hair artist primarily in the studio for photo shoots. When I am not in the studio, I am usually freelancing for Armani Beauty, Yves Saint Laurent, glamming up brides, or making private clients feel and look their very best.
I take a lot of pride in my art. I also take pride in my ability to make others feel at ease and my ability to connect with people from all walks of life. I pride myself in making others look AND feel their very best all the while getting to know them as a fellow human being. I enjoy listening to others’ stories, and really trying to understand them and their specific needs. Having worked with so many talented individuals from different races, genders, and ages (whether it be actors or brides), I have come to realize you and I are actually not that different from each other. At the end of the day, we should all be living our lives as if we are here for each other, not for ourselves.
Every year I volunteer for Crittenton Family Services, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children and families heal from trauma, neglect and abuse. Every year they organize what is called, “Annual Day of Beauty” for the youth living in group homes. This day is special for all the young girls as an entire day is dedicated to making them feel beautiful, loved and pampered. We, the volunteers offer our time and talents in exchange for a smile. I look forward to this event every year, although it leaves me in tears, it is a beautiful reminder to cherish and be thankful for what I have.
I LOVE what I do and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I have many plans ahead and one major one in the works, but you will need to stay tuned to see what they are!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.SaraMontano.com
- Phone: (562)650-7667
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sm_makeupartistry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaraMontanoHMUA/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sara-montano-los-angeles
Image Credit:
Andy Rooney, Jennifer Lynn Roberts
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