Today we’d like to introduce you to Anastasia Andreani.
Hi Anastasia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I first started Vizio Makeup Academy, I honestly had no background in makeup or the beauty industry. I just had a big dream — to help people express themselves through art and creativity. What began as a small idea slowly grew into something much bigger than I could’ve ever imagined.
In the early days, it was just me, a few brushes, and a lot of passion. I wanted to create a school that would truly make a difference — a place where anyone, no matter their background or experience, could learn professional makeup and feel supported every step of the way.
Fast forward to today, and we now teach students from all over the world. It still amazes me every time I see a student from another country send in their first assignment or share their certificate. It reminds me that this dream really became something real and meaningful.
Over time, we realized that our students needed professional tools that matched the quality of their education, but without the crazy price tags. That’s why we created the PRO MAKEUP LAB™ — a customizable makeup system designed especially for our students. It was built out of love for them and their journey, not just as another product.
We’ve also been lucky to partner with charter schools in California, giving younger students access to professional makeup education early on. Watching teenagers discover their artistic side and gain confidence through makeup has been one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
And just a few days ago, I had the honor of being a judge for Mehron’s “30 Days of Halloween”, hosted by Mehron Cosmetics — one of the world’s top special effects makeup brands. Seeing so many talented artists express themselves through creativity was truly inspiring. I remember being that person once — nervous, excited, and just trying to create something beautiful — so it meant the world to help lift up others following that same path.
Looking back, I’m so grateful for every challenge and late night that went into building Vizio. It started with nothing but a dream and a whole lot of heart, and now it’s a global community of artists who believe in creativity, confidence, and chasing what they love.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but every challenge taught me something valuable. When I first started Vizio Makeup Academy, I had no investors, no outside funding, and no team. Everything was built using our own capital and a lot of late nights. I had to learn everything from the ground up — how to design the website, build the learning platform, manage student systems, and make everything flow together.
In the beginning, I didn’t know anything about production or editing. We had to figure out how to film high-definition footage, manage lighting, and create all of our course content ourselves. We reinvested every dollar back into the school — constantly upgrading, improving, and pushing forward.
I also had to learn SEO, email marketing, and digital strategy — basically everything it takes to run an online business. Even when you hire people, you still have to know what’s being done to make sure it’s being done right. There were times it felt like juggling ten jobs at once — founder, teacher, marketer, and student all over again.
There were countless obstacles — tech issues, delays, and sleepless nights — but I never lost sight of why I started. I wanted to give people everywhere a chance to learn professional makeup in a way that was real, flexible, and affordable.
Looking back, those challenges made Vizio Makeup Academy stronger. Everything we know today came from persistence, self-education, and a genuine love for helping others reach their potential.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Vizio Makeup Academy, we specialize in professional online training in makeup, special effects, hairstyling, and facial artistry, offering students around the world the opportunity to learn from real industry experts at their own pace. Our goal has always been to make beauty education truly accessible — combining professional-level instruction with flexibility, personalized feedback, and certification that students can be proud of.
What really sets us apart is our use of cutting-edge technology — we offer some of the most advanced learning tools in the industry. But the best part is that our students receive real instructor feedback on their work. Every student gets detailed critiques, guidance, and encouragement directly from experienced makeup artists — something that’s almost unheard of in online education.
We’ve also partnered with charter schools in California, giving younger students access to professional makeup and special effects education as part of their school curriculum — something we’re very proud of. Seeing high school students learn advanced artistry and gain confidence through makeup and design is incredibly rewarding.
Another thing that makes us unique is that we design and create our own professional kits for students — including our PRO MAKEUP LAB™, a customizable, refillable system that encourages hands-on creativity and sustainability.
Brand-wise, I’m proud that Vizio Makeup Academy has always been built from genuine passion, not investors or trends. Everything we’ve developed — from our beauty and FX training to our facial and hairstyling programs — was created with one goal in mind: to help artists turn their creativity into a real career.
At its heart, Vizio isn’t just about teaching makeup — it’s about empowering people to believe in themselves, refine their craft, and build a future doing what they love.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories was the day I got my cockatiel bird named Max. I still remember it so clearly — I was just a kid, and from the moment I saw him, I felt this instant bond. He was tiny, curious, and full of personality. I always kept him in my bedroom, but never really in a cage. Max had his freedom — he’d fly around, land on my shoulder, and sit with me while I did homework, drew, or listened to music.
He lived with me for 30 years, which is amazing when you think about it. Max grew up with me and became such a big part of my life. He was so smart and funny — he’d whistle to get attention, dance when music played, and mimic little sounds around the house. He was there through so many chapters of my life, long before I ever started Vizio Makeup Academy, and he’ll always hold a very special place in my heart.
When Max passed away, I didn’t think I could ever have another bird again — he was truly one of a kind. But this year, I decided to get a new cockatiel for my son, Alan, and we named him Rook. It’s been so heartwarming watching Alan bond with him the same way I once did with Max. Now Rook has become part of our family — full of energy, personality, and little chirps that fill the house with life again.
It feels like things came full circle — from my childhood with Max to now seeing my son grow up with Rook. It’s a reminder that love, even in the smallest forms, can be passed on and live again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://makeuponlineschool.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viziomakeupacademyofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/viziomakeupacademy/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasia-andreani-467a09a3
- Twitter: https://www.tiktok.com/@viziomakeupacademy
