Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzy Nava
Hi Suzy, 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?
I was always the last one to get ready because I was busy getting everyone else ready for any event! I was graduating high school with an amazing GPA helped many of my peers with get into their dream colleges, but I knew it wasn’t for me. I applied to a private cosmetology school and was required to provide a letter of recommendation. I asked my AP English teacher as I cared so much of her approval. When I asked her she was so upset. She stated it was waste and I could do so much better like go to college and write. I was distraught but I knew what I wanted so I did it anyways. She wasn’t the only one to bring down my choice. Many friends and family also shared their thoughts on it being a stupid choice.
I went through Cosmetology school hoping to learn hair styling and especially makeup. I learned none of that! I learned hair cutting, hair coloring, perms, manicures, pedicures, and only 30 minutes of curling hair and 10 for makeup. I knew I hated cuts and color. It was too permanent for me haha. If you don’t like your hair color I have to put your hair through another process to fix it. If you don’t like your haircut how can I glue it back!
Once I graduated I passed my Stateboard and got my license. I began doing makeup and hair for close friends and family charging $20 per service and still feeling like it was a lot. I still think of them and feel so bad because they trusted me and loved it but now I know they’d be blown away haha.
I signed up to a makeup course and paid a good amount. It was later proved to be a shady school. I did get a good starter kit from it which helped tremendously. Finishing the 5 day course, the owner hired me to help train his new students. I worked twice with him from 7am to 6pm and he promised me $100 per day. I was never paid he gave me a story how there weren’t many students and so I never went back. I was so discouraged because I had only met selfish people who took advantage of my passion.
I took a year off only doing neighbors and friends.
I was on Craigslist one night and found a job listing for a makeup boutique in West Hollywood. I applied thinking I would never get it. The next day I had an email to schedule an interview, part of which would be a demonstration. I went the day after and took my sister as a model. I still thank the universe that the interviewer was busy doing a million things and she liked my personality because if she would’ve really paid attention to the mess I made she wouldn’t have hired me! I got the job and went for a week of training. It was the hardest week ever! I felt like I knew nothing. All the other girls had experience on set or assisting someone. I felt like I didn’t deserve to be there. At the end of the week we had to do a final makeup application on the lead trainer and if she approved you got the official job. Again I’m so lucky the girl was too busy to really pay attention because she gave me the green light!
I spent 7 years at this company. I gained all my experience from their clients. I had all types of clients there: texture, skin tone, celebrities, mature clients, everything! I also asked all the artists for tips and took all the shifts I could. This was a sacrifice as I was living all the way in Palmdale and had no car. I would wake up at 3am to catch the first train to Glendale and then catch two buses to get to work. After a year I began getting return clients and getting requested. Soon I became a senior artist being trusted with the VIP clients. I was soon promoted to a lead trainer helping train the new hires! After almost 6 years I was promoted to assistant manager. At this point I had gotten married and brought my husband from Mexico through the immigration process. And I was also pregnant. While pregnant I was working the very stressful job of assistant manager and was doing the daily commute from Palmdale to Sunset Plaza. In October of 2019 I knew it was time to go on maternity leave.
Three months after giving birth I got to return to work but I took the decision to demote myself back to artist as I knew as a new mom I couldn’t commit. And the executives had been amazing holding my position for me but they were so understanding. I came back and did two shifts when COVID hit.
I was hit with a ton of bricks. I was a new mom, had a husband officially with me, and was no longer in a busy job. Post partum depression came at me hard. I was depressed. I was thankful for the connection I had made with a fellow artist and my manager they truly became my friends. After the pandemic began lifting, my friends recommended we start taking clients and freelancing. I was so scared but we went for it. The company closed and didn’t reopen so many of our clients from the beauty lounge found us! We were busy. My friend suggested I start doing hair too so we could be both hair and makeup. I decided to go for it and am so thankful for their push because I have never looked back!
In comparison to my beginnings I have found an amazing group of fellow makeup artists who are not selfish. Who look out for each other. Who have trusted me and my work enough to bring me along on shoots, sets, or just allow me to do their clients when they weren’t available. I think of little Suzy starting out, charging $20, thinking this wasn’t it and everyone was horrible and I’m so glad she kept at her passion. I get to wake up and make people look and feel beautiful for a living! People pay me to do something I love that they’re going to take off at the end of the day. People pay me because they love my work, my personality, and I’m so blessed. I’ve met amazing people along the way. I don’t go to work I do what I love and get paid for it.
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?
The commute, selfish people who took advantage, sticking to my passion and believing it would work out.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Makeup and Hair artist. I do makeup for everyday, photo shoots, music videos, films, and events. I also do hairstyling so updos, braids, and regular waves. I have made weddings and everyday clients my specialty. I’m most proud of getting to assist on the Jennifer Lopez music video, but truly all my brides. There’s something so special about being the calm for a brides big day! I think what sets me apart from others would be my personality. My ability to help my clients feel comfortable by listening but truly listening. When you work with me it’s your world and I’m just there to help you feel your best! My sole focus is my client!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I am a huge advocate of introducing yourself to everyone! Anyone can help you get to your next big step. I’ve gotten tons of jobs through people I met one time! Get everyone’s instagram or contact information and let them know what you do. And be friendly ofcourse!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzynavabeauty?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/suzy_von_gee?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
