Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlene “Marley” Navarro.
Hi Marlene “Marley”, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in Mexico, I’m from a small city called Sahuayo, Michoacán. I come from a hard working family. My father comes from a family of 22. He had a huge responsibility to help take care of his siblings and parents. But when I came along, things changed. My father wanted a better life for his own family and siblings. He decided to come to the states to provide for us. When I was just three years old we settled in the South Bay, both of my parents worked long and hard hours and sometimes multiple jobs to get where they are now. The determination was there, became citizens and purchased their first home here in the South Bay. My parents were determined to make the ‘’American Dream’’ come true and give the best life they could provide for my brother and I. Not once did I hear my parents complain, they just did what they had to and made it happen. All the blood, sweat and tears paid off. They taught me the same values and told me to go get what I want in life, always stay humble and never give up! I also have a wonderful and supportive husband. He too has the same values he pushes me every day. I am blessed to have an amazing support system, because of that I am able to continue my dream.
My love for makeup started at an early age, I remember I’d practice on myself and friends. A fond memory of mine is when I started to experiment more with makeup. I was in the 10th grade; this is when I felt I was starting to come out of my shell. My friends would sometimes ask me to do their makeup. I just liked doing it, it was fun.
I definitely know my mother passed down her artistry gene to me. Thanks mom!.. When she was younger, oil painting was her passion. I was so mesmerized with her paintings, to watch her create beautiful landscapes and waterfalls. It was all so fascinating observing her create these paintings. She was very talented. I love art, it runs in my veins. Being creative and artistic has always been a part of me. Using my mother’s makeup was a way of art for me. Little did I know that years later I would make a career of it. Looking back I was just 16 when I first embarked in the makeup industry. My first job was working at Macy’s in Manhattan Beach, once there I was on track working and paving my way through. I started part time at the Chanel makeup counter just graduated High School and working with a prestigious makeup brand. I felt like I had the dream job, and I did! I was also the youngest, and inexperienced to say the least working in the cosmetic department. My counter manager at the time took me under her wing. She was so kind and patient she taught me so much. Some of my fondest memories was watching her from behind the counter work her magic as she did a makeup application. Thinking to myself that one day, I want to be just as great. I was over the moon watching and observing her delicate movements using her makeup brushes.She was gentle with her clients never rough. It was like watching an artist working on a canvas and perfecting her masterpiece while watching it all unfold. I was excited to be there and have a front row seat to this view. When the time came for me to do my first makeup, I was only two weeks in. I was nervous at first, at this point this is my first time doing a client’s makeup, I must admit, I was nervous but not scared. Once I placed all my products that I was going to use on the counter I just remember quietly saying this to myself you can do this. With my counter manager by my side, she guided me every step of the way. I was lucky enough that the client that was a regular of hers, the client was patient with me too. me. After a few minutes into the process, I felt this calmness coming through me. I felt peaceful creating my own masterpiece. It was right there in that moment when I released all fears and just did what came naturally. This is when I felt that this was my calling. During this time I was able to go to Cosmetology School and everything else just kind of worked out along the way as my journey continued. This experience working with Chanel was a door opener for me, I’ve worked with so many amazing brands such as Sephora, Smashbox, Lancome and lastly MAC.
Working with MAC was a great move for me. I was able to expand my artistry and it helped mold me who I am today. I worked with the brand for about 13 years and during my time with MAC, I was surrounded by many great and talented artists who taught me so much about artistry and life.. They will always be part of my MAC family. Throughout my years with the brand I was in a position where I worked many industry events such as Red Carpets, MTV Music Awards, BET Awards, Grammy’s, Emmys, Fashion Shows, behind the scenes, etc… Having the experience to work in these types of events helped me elevate my art skills from face painting and body painting. It’s a very timely and fast paced working environment so you have to work fast and efficiently. I love the feel of the rush. I just get in my own zone and it’s go, go, go.
Here I am now at 36 working to perfect and establish my own brand. I’m taking the skills I’ve acquired throughout the years and implementing them into my brand. It’s also a plus for me because I’m doing something that I’m passionate about.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I wish I could say it was but it has not been a smooth road, I’ve had my share of ups and downs and have a few hiccups along the way. Especially when you are just starting. I think it got really hard during the beginning of Covid and lockdowns. I had to stop freelancing for a while.
Trust me, when I tell you there will be a lot of doubts and negativity along your own path, I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve constantly questioned myself and my confidence was down. But you get back up and try again until something finally works for you. I was uncertain in my path and what I wanted to do but didn’t know how or where to start. I just knew that makeup is something I have a passion for.
There was a time in my life that I had a lot of lows. I felt like it was one thing after another and you just have to keep going and not look back. I was always back and forth because my confidence level was not there. Instagram was the new thing back then I was even less hopeful. Social media took over and I didn’t know where to start. I just started to use the power or social media started to work on my own business, I began to freelance more and put myself out there. I didn’t know then the impact of makeup on social media how much it would take over, that was when I knew I had to do something different and work on my brand. I started taking more pictures of my clients and really started creating my own content. I had to figure out how I was going to do it and little by little I started to gain more clients and a lot of referrals. I was so nervous at first with so many new artists out there. At times I questioned myself, who would want to hire me and why? This industry can be very competitive and there are so many makeup artists out there you just have to ask yourself what sets me different? Find what works for you and use it.
I always remind myself to have gratitude for the journey. No matter how big an opportunity or how rewarding something is there will be moments of struggle. There will be difficulties and disappointments along the way, there will be a lot of miscommunications, but you must learn how to communicate and learn to manage with grace instead of fear. I’m so grateful that I’ve grown enough to allow it to teach me something. I hope this helps you too.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been a professional makeup artist for a total of 20yrs, I specialize in Bridal makeup, Special events, Photoshoots, Red Carpet events etc. Throughout the years I’ve established a great list of clients, I’ve had so many opportunities to work with many celebrities. My clients that hire me know I always take pride in what I do. I’m blessed to share all those moments with them. It is always so rewarding to me to be part of. What sets me aside as an artist is not just my artistry and my personality, but the bond I create with each and every client. This is really important to me. I am so big with energy and if it feels right, I just work better. Laughter is a must for me, I love to connect with my clients and I am not afraid to just laugh and have fun. I have formed a family bond with my clients and that is a feeling I can’t explain. It’s important to me to establish a work relationship.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Yes, do not give up.! You will have days you will feel challenged, you will find days you are not maybe connecting with a client you will find days you will feel like you are not good enough. Keep going, do not give up. I promise your hard work pays off. You never know who will sit in your chair, you never know who knows who.
Treat everyone with respect. There is always going to be that one person that can help elevate you to your next potential. Be professional at all times and network with other artists, put yourself out there. You don’t realize when you make connections with other artists you help each other out. Always have your business cards with you to give them out. Tell people what you do and how long you have been doing it for. Be confident in what you say and do. Never stop learning and educating yourself. Be proud of what you have accomplished. You have come a long way. Ask yourself what would I like if I was a client? How do I want to feel when I sit in that chair? Provide an experience not just a makeup application. Listen to their needs, provide a fun, comfortable relaxing, and no judgment experience. I try to get to know my client and their family on a personal level. It helps me connect with them. I want everyone to feel special the moment they sit in my chair. It took me a while to figure out what works for me. Find that one thing that works for you and use it.
I want you to be able to keep this in mind and put yourself in your clients shoes for second, your clients want to be able to feel they can trust you with their canvas. Not everyone has had a great experience in the makeup chair with other artists, this can cause the client to put up a wall. As an artist you have to remember that you can’t take things personal, sometimes it’s not because of something you personally did. That one bad experience they had wasn’t anything they expected it to be and will always have it on their mind. Other times, it can be that they have never had their makeup done and it’s their first time they are just unsure what to expect. Point is, this may trigger certain feelings and emotions to rise and naturally they put up a wall. Remember, it’s their first time sitting in your chair so it’s up to you as an artist to help break down that barrier. After all, you are in their personal space and vice versa. You got this! Be yourself and just have fun.
Here are a few rules I live by when I am working..
1. Don’t ever doubt yourself
2. Always give it your best in every makeup job.
3. Be humble and courteous
4. Don’t take things personally.
5. It’s just makeup, it’s not a tattoo it can be wiped off
6. You can’t control the uncontrollable but you can control your emotions and reactions
7. Always be thankful and grateful. You are the best at what you do, don’t give up on your dream. We all started from the bottom.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeupbymarley_24/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarleyMuaLA/
