Conversations with the Inspiring Patricia Castro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Castro.

Patricia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My fascination with makeup began when I was 13 years old. I had never been a ‘girly girl’ and I can’t even remember being the type that would steal my Mom’s makeup, but when I came across my first makeup tutorial on YouTube, I was obsessed!

It was just a regular day and I remember discovering MakeupGeek’s channel. At the time, she was known as Marlena. All I knew was that I wanted to do what she was doing. I wanted to blend, buff, and CREATE!

I can remember going to the local drugstores and sneaking cheap makeup into my Mom’s cart hoping when we got to the cash register, she would purchase it for me. It worked… most of the time.

To keep a long story medium, when I was about 14, I began creating makeup looks into the wee hours of the night (after I finished my homework and my parents were asleep, of course) and posting them on MySpace for the world to see! By the time I was in high school, I was a bonafide Aspiring Makeup Artist (and spending every dollar I made from serving frozen yogurt on makeup)!

One of my fondest makeup memories was my own prom day when I had 7 ‘appointments’ back to back in my dining room and barely had any time to get ready myself! Good times!

To be honest, I never really believed I could be successful in this field and going to Cosmetology school wasn’t really an option at the time, so I attempted to pursue a degree and took up many… many jobs: Host, Server, Bartender, and Military Transportation Agent just to name a few!

By 2014, I was fed up with my dull, and uninspired life. I had learned so much and felt like my ‘adulating’ years had arrived and I had nothing figured out. I was miserable.

On August 15, 2014, I put in my two weeks notice at the restaurant I was currently managing and created an Instagram profile and free website that night. You can find me now @patriciacastromakeup but my first name was Faces By Patricia. I posted on Facebook that I was now pursuing makeup and told everyone I knew to send their sisters, aunts, cousins, and friends my way for their glam needs!

It started slow. I drove Uber at night, so I wouldn’t have to mooch off my parents, I tried to keep a bartending job but got fired, and took out credit cards to build my kit. I spent late nights on Craigslist and Model Mayhem fiercely emailing any photographer who may want to collaborate with me. I worked for free a lot and would take any booking I could get. Day to day, it was hard to be optimistic but as the months and years passed by, I had so many amazing opportunities and my calendar, slowly but surely, was booking up!

In June 2015, I was given the opportunity to open up a small boutique studio in Redondo Beach and call that my makeup home. Thank you to my Mom who paid my rent until I booked enough clients. I now take most of my clients there and travel to my Brides on the weekends. Bridal & Event Makeup is now my niche and I feel so grateful to be a part of this amazing industry.

I now book over a year in advance and am typically fully booked on the weekends… and sometimes, I still can’t believe it! I feel so blessed!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I believe that perspective is everything and learning to only compare where you are to where you’ve been is magic. Honor YOUR journey.

Okay, now that my inspirational quote is out there… no, it hasn’t been a smooth road. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. My success comes from each and every mistake I’ve made and every lesson I’ve learned… even if I had to learn it the hard way.

Some of the struggles I encountered along the way were learning how to balance and manage my own schedule, learning how to communicate with clients professionally, dealing with unhappy clients (yes, it happens), and figuring out the logistics of everything like pricing, contracts, etc.

The secret, in my opinion, is getting excited about it before executing. Nervous about raising your prices? Get excited about your goals for the following year! Then, go for it.

Working for myself has taught me that mindset is everything.

My advice to other women starting any freelance career or small business would be the following:

– Journal every now and then, especially on the bad days. Read what you wrote every now and again and affirm yourself for how you have come!

– Do not give up when you get your first bad review or request for a refund and try not take anything personally because the lesson lies beyond being offended!

– Write down your WHY. Figure out what sets your soul on fire and do your best to connect to that feeling every now and then.

– Raise your prices every year. For those just starting (you got this, girl!), give yourself a date, you will stop working for free!

What should we know about Patricia Castro Makeup? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I love connecting with people. I love getting to know my clients and getting to be a part of their special day (I’ve been invited to a wedding or two! #blessed).

What I love most about my job is that it cultivates a sense of confidence and gratitude for who you are! I love seeing that light up in my clients when they look in the mirror!

I specialize in Event & Bridal Makeup and Makeup Education. I teach small group classes in my studio once or twice a month to help women feel confident using the makeup they’ve spent their hard earned money on! It’s called Master Your Makeup and it is awesome!

I am most proud of my work ethic, my dedication to getting better every year, professionally and personally, and for sticking to my craft because I know I was put on this Earth to do what I do – to inspire and help women feel beautiful!

Patricia Castro Makeup, my brand, is set apart from the crowd because it’s me, my soul, my artistry, and my dedication, and I’m professional af.

I will never cancel. I will always be on time. And you will always hear back from me.

You can expect timely responses, exceptional and friendly service, a loving attitude, a passion for perfection, organization, schedules, and invoices sent to you promptly and me knocking on your door 5 minutes early. You can expect to FEEL the best you’ve ever felt in your life. You can also expect to maybe make a friend. 😉

Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Get yourself a life coach.

Hahaha! Kidding, kinda. But that is what worked for me!

Find someone that you can trust, that offers an optimistic and authentic perspective, that challenges you, and that loves you.

This can be your best friend, this can be your spouse or partner, this can be Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday Podcast (or any of the other AMAZING and free coaching/self-help podcasts out there). It doesn’t matter.

Get inspired and get connected to being your BEST self and living your BEST life.

Pricing:

• In Studio Makeup Application $120
• On Location Makeup Application $200
• Bridal Makeup Trial $150
• Bridal Makeup $200

Contact Info:

• Address: 300 N. Harbor Dr., Redondo Beach, CA 90277
• Website: www.PatriciaCastroMakeup.com
• Phone: 310-619-1465
• Email: patriciacastromakeup@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patriciacastromakeup/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patriciacastromakeup/
• Other: https://patriciacastromakeup.as.me

Image Credit:
Three16 Photography, Meghan Wiesman Photography, Brandon Bibbins Photography, Anya Kernes Photography, Hitched Photo, Staci Stack Photography

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.