Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Nicole Orellana.
Chelsea Nicole, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I don’t quite remember exactly when I became interested in anything beauty related. I grew up around a mother who studied to be a cosmetologist. I remember growing up thinking how awesome my mom is when I would watch her work. My seventh-grade year, I bought my first eye shadow palette from dollar tree. I bought this palette without telling my parents and also stealing a mascara tube from my older sister. I would practice on myself and my friends during our lunchtime. I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup yet so I turned my ideas into drawings. I used to print out the MAC face charts and practice with the little makeup I had. Fast forward to high school I never really got permission from my parents to wear makeup I simply jumped right in. Within the next two years, I was fully committed to watching YouTube tutorials and practicing on my own face.
This quickly began to consume all my free time. My mom began to notice how dedicated I was trying to perfect my craft. Others noticed and started to book me for their Quinceañeras or if they were participating in one. I felt honored these parties are a huge deal in my culture. My next step was finally looking for a makeup school that was the right fit for me. Once I began going to school, I started freelancing at the age of fifteen. Every formal, prom, or homecoming I was fully booked with friends and classmates. I’m extremely blessed to still have some of those same clients today at the age of twenty. The last two years of my life I’ve been able to meet great people and figure out my style of work. I consider myself more of an editorial makeup artist, it’s simply what I love.
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?
It definitely has been far from easy. Some struggles till this day are is simply feeling like you’re good enough. It’s easy to just give up and stay unmotivated because of what you see on social media. Being a small business myself, I’ve had individuals try to degrade me and not respect my works worth because I simply don’t have the following. I don’t think the journey would have been the same without the struggles. I’m thankful for the good and the bad it’s shaped me to be self-made.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a freelance makeup artist based in Long beach. I consider myself an editorial makeup artist, that is definitely my specialty. I can do a winged liner or cut crease but that doesn’t scream Chelsea to me. When I create a look, I consider it more like a piece of art. I’ve created my own signature on my looks no matter what I’m doing there will always be rhinestones or some sort of bling to it. I’m proud to be a self-made Latina makeup artist raised by two Salvadoreños. My parents are from El Salvador a small country in Central America where people don’t believe you can make a living from anything art or beauty related. I am most proud of the content my team and I have been able to create. It’s truly been a privilege to watch us all grow from literally nothing. We look at old content and challenge ourselves to do better every time. Most importantly, I have so much love for the city I’m from I’m proud to collaborate with some of the most creative and versatile people I’ve met.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was very shy definitely what they call a mommas girl. I was never really a girly girl. I preferred watching animal planet over anything princess related. I remember learning at an early age trying to learn how to make pupusas an authentic dish from El Salvador. Of course, I failed miserably a few times but, I loved to cook and I still really enjoy it. It was hard for me to make friends I went through a lot at an early age which required me to miss school frequently. I was very reserved and closed off for a portion of my childhood. My teenage years really shifted all my interests and my ways of thinking. It was kinda like a light switch I decided to be what I wanted to be and what makes me happy. My interests led me to pick up hobbies such as painting, sewing, embroidering, and of course makeup. I didn’t want to live that stereotype I heard as a child. “Be a doctor or a lawyer it will make you rich or marry a rich man”. I always told myself I will be that rich man but by following my heart and its passions.
Pricing:
- Full glam $65 (lashes included)
- Soft glam $40
- Eyeshadow & brows $20
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: c.nicol3_
Image Credit:
Photographer: Diego Sanchez @cataractkiller; Models: Millie Lam @millielam, Abdulina Ortíz @aabdulinaa, Asiya Soleil @asiya.soleil, Sydney Sweeney @ syderature
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
