Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Esparza.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was working two full-time jobs and ended up fracturing an ankle and couldn’t work anymore. In my downtime, I would go on YouTube and look up the latest trends and do’s and don’ts of applying your own makeup. Then I had fallen in love with color and doing other people’s makeup, and slowly friends and family would ask me to do their makeup and I said I could really make this into a career! So I went to a makeup school nearby and took a course and learned to make my hobby into a professional job. Then Covid happened and everyone had to be home, unfortunately, I had to go back to working two full-time jobs but in the meantime learning how to continue and grow my business.
Taking online courses with celebrity makeup artist, learning how to style hair, and even upgrading my kit, adding equipment too! And slowly getting tired of working jobs where I couldn’t fully express myself I decided to quit one and take on FacePainting and body art. FacePainting became another love of mine in October, never really knew how it worked but always wanted to learn, so again did my research and taught myself the in and outs of FacePainting. I have taken a few master classes as well to better my art and learn from the best. I really started doing makeup and face paint to show no matter what you do in life anything is possible, you can do what you love as long as you work hard and practice, and stay consistent.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely has not been smooth, I still work a full-time job, maintain a household and have three children. Being a mom is already a full time job sometimes time isn’t on my side, but thankfully my family has been extremely supportive in helping me out.
The beauty industry is crazy too, not everyone will be your friend and sometimes it seems overwhelming and we have to remember that this is also a business it can be a lot on your plate. But taking a few steps back and just taking it little by little those obstacles can be overcome easily.
As you know, we’re big fans of @mmakeupbymariaa @facepaintbymariaa. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I can do makeup for all occasions: weddings, quinceañeras, prom, baby showers, etc. and that goes for FacePainting as well to all occasions!
What sets me apart is I’m a working mom with a lot of drive and a lot of passion, we lose ourselves in our children sometimes and for me, makeup/artistry has been a form of therapy and reminder that I am my own person, a person that can help others find their inner beauty and bring it out to shine on their special day!
How do you define success?
Success to me is developing your work and teaching others to do the same, teaching others what you know because the more they grow and more you will grow too.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mmakeupbymariaa?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Other: https://instagram.com/facepaintbymariaa?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Image Credits
Fransisco Pinto
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