Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie De Jesus.
Hi Leslie, 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 a makeup lover since I was about 14 years old. I never really considered makeup as a career when I was younger, only because I was always told I would go to college and study medicine, engineering, or something of that nature. Amongst first-generation students like myself, this phenomena of going to college and pursuing a career that will bring financial stability is often forced into our life and many like myself end up in college pursuing something that we really don’t care for. I attended University of California, Riverside and got my bachelor’s degree in Electrical engineering with a minor in Computer Science. I struggled a lot to find a place for me in this field, as I could never gather the liking for what I was learning and overall felt isolated compared to other students in my classes. My last few months in school were right amongst the beginning of quarantine in Spring 2020.
During this time I spent a lot of time with friends who are really creative, and one time they asked if I would help them out with a project where they needed makeup done for 9 models. I had never done anyone’s makeup but my own, but I love makeup and was up for the challenge so I agreed to do it. Little did I know that this job would be the start of my new career. I had so much fun doing makeup, meeting the models, and being on set. Many of the models exchanged information with me, expressing their interest in working together again. This day got the ball rolling in my makeup career as I began looking for makeup schools that I could go to, researching what I needed for a makeup kit, and planning a new career. I can’t tell you in words how good it felt to think I would never be an engineer. I felt so much weight lifted off my chest as I imagined a life where I could simply do what I love for a living. Since that day I gave it my all.
In 2021, I got a makeup certification with Glad Glam Makeup Academy in the OC, started freelancing, worked at MAC as an artist for about a year. Now I am only a few months away from becoming a licensed esthetician. I work for Glamsquad as a makeup artist, freelance on my own, as well as do lash extensions, lash lifts, waxing, and facials. I have created for myself the life I have always dreamed of in the span of two years and am excited to watch my businesses grow.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was definitely not an easy transition. I feel like a lot of people in my life held a lot of respect for me thinking I would be an engineer. Many would assume that I am super smart and am going to have a lot of money, so when people would hear that I am pursuing a career in makeup now they would commonly show a little sign of disappointment or say something like “why would you do that”? This entire transition taught me to believe in myself even when no one understood why or what I was doing. I had to write down my ideas, map out what I wanted to do and what plans I had to get there. I am so glad I found a community while working at MAC. Having other makeup artists in my circle helped me finally break out of the isolation I felt and strengthened my confidence in. my abilities and opportunities.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a professional makeup artist and soon-to-be licensed skincare professional. I specialize mostly in everyday natural makeup, red carpet, and love to do editorials. I love what I do and feel the most proud when my clients love their looks. I pride myself on putting the skin first and doing my best to enhance natural features and make everyone feel beautiful in their own skin.
What’s next?
In the near future, I will be opening a studio here in the Los Angeles area. Within the next few years, I would love to transition into working on TV and film behind the scenes. Other than that I have other hopes of opening a coffee shop someday, where I can host community events and maybe some makeup classes. I would love to offer classes in Spanish to my lower-income Latinx community here in LA. I have many ideas but I like to stay open-minded and open to opportunities. If you’re a creator in LA, let’s work together!
Pricing:
- Mobile makeup service $100
Contact Info:
- Website: dejesusbeauty.com
- Instagram: Lesliedejesusmakeup
Image Credits
First two photos by Jacob Museo & Bryan Vaca Last two photos by Megan O’dell
