Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriela Gutierrez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My affection for Fashion and Art began developing when I was a young girl. What’s fashion without makeup and makeup without an artistic touch? Before the days of social media, my favorite makeup artist worked at the local MAC counter. The way she blended makeup colors to enhance my eyes inspired me to learn the art of makeup. Soon after, my girlfriends’ faces would become my canvas, as I helped doll them up for our school dances. After high school, I attended F.I.D.M. for fashion design. While working in the fashion industry for companies like Nordstrom and Giorgio Armani was fun, it was cut short when I started my family. Once, my children were in school, my yearning for makeup, compelled me to begin my new journey into Makeup Artistry.
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?
My journey has not always been smooth. After High school, my career began at Nordstrom as a sale rep in BP and later was manager of Savvy. The MAC manager approached me about an immediate opening, but I was already scheduled to go on a trip to Italy. Who would pass up a trip to Italy? When I came back, the opening was filled and I began my new family. Once the kids were in school, I applied to a few Sephora’s, and MAC counters, yet and no one wanted to hire me. It didn’t make sense to me why they wouldn’t hire me. I ‘d wonder, am I not a good makeup artist or is my work bad? No one knew what I was going through inside, I was feeling down and hopeless and I started to doubt myself. My husband, reasoned that my managerial experience at Nordstrom could be perceived as threatening to some managers, and a possibility for the no hires. He kept encouraging me to keep practicing and learning makeup techniques and not to stop. Makeup is something I felt I knew how to do well. Pushing me to follow my dreams and praying for an opportunity to open, The best opportunity came along and that was pursuing my passion on my terms and becoming a freelance Makeup artist.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a Professional, bilingual, freelance Makeup Artist. Specializing in Weddings, Celebrities, Editorials, Photo Shoots, Special Occasions, Day looks, Tutorials, or One on One Makeup Application. It’s very rewarding to see the looks on my clients faces when they see how beautiful, they really are. The positive feedback my clients give is what I am most proud of.
Listening to my clients, helping them achieve the look they want and not just doing what I want to do is what sets me apart.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was stubborn, especially when it came to how I looked. My mom tells me stories of the tantrums I would throw as early as kindergarten. Sometimes, I would even lock myself in the closet if I couldn’t wear the outfit I wanted or my hair wasn’t quite right. Being the youngest, with 4 older brothers and 1 older sister, helped shape my outgoing personality. How else was I supposed to get attention?
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.gabrielagutierrezmua.com/
- Phone: 562-385-0161
- Email: ggdreamers@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ggs_journey/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GabrielaGMUA/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ggs_journey
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gabriela-gutierrez-costa-mesa-2
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielagutierrezmua/
Image Credit:
Josh Elliot
Amanda Alvarez
Alex Cruz
Tram Tran
Alicia Marie Fierro
Hannah Kate
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.
