Meet Alex Navarro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Navarro.

Alex, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey started when I came to the United States at five months old from Jalisco, Mexico. I was born in 1990 and I am the youngest child out of three siblings.

Both parents came to the country in 1986 to have a better life for themselves and their children. We lived in a small one bedroom apartment in Wilmington, CA. With such a small apartment, both parents gave us everything we needed. A place to sleep, clothes on our backs and food on the table. Till this day, I will always be grateful for everything they have given us. I knew I was different from a very young age. I knew I had a feeling that many people wouldn’t understand. I knew I was gay from a young age.

I’ve always enjoyed the company of girls, playing with Barbies, dressing them up and doing their makeup and hair. Quickly, I knew that wasn’t allowed. Boys weren’t allowed to be feminine and like other boys. It was a disgrace to the family, our religion and to your soul. Immediately, I had to hide the real me and couldn’t be allowed to be true to myself because society didn’t approve. “Society didn’t approve of me being MYSELF!”… How is that fair!?

For years, I was scared to be true to myself. In public, I had put a ”mask” on for society, I was in fear of being bullied or killed for being gay. During that time, I was someone else’s shadow, and I was following them around trying to fit in. When I was 16 years old, that’s when I saw another “one of my kind” on television. 

During my mid-teenage years, I turn the television on and watched a show called America’s Next Top Model. This was the moment I saw a gay man on television and was being himself doing something I didn’t know it was possible. Makeup. Makeup was a big part of the fashion industry. That’s when I saw Sultan Amrull also known as Raja and Raja Gemini. A gay man doing something on television that I loved doing but was hiding from society. Besides watching the show, Sultan was another reason why I continued watching the show because of his talent, boldness and free spirit. I knew at that moment, it was time to take something that I was hiding from society, something kept in the closet and was ready to show the world what I could do.

My passion for makeup. Makeup for me, it’s not about what brand you use, how glossy your lipgloss is, how big your lashes are, it’s about the art of makeup. The art of how I could make someone feel by putting on makeup on others and myself. Makeup was a shield of protection, I could be whoever I want, whatever I want, and no one could not harm. It’s about empowering the inside of your soul and enhancing the outside.

From my high school days, skipping school, going to the mall and going to my dream job place in the mall, was starting to become very frequent in the weeks. MAC cosmetics was something that I saw that was very diverse and different and started to be my desire dream job. In 2015, my dream became a reality. Not only was I working in the biggest makeup brands in the industry but I was working my dream job. My dream became a passion and my passion became a lifestyle.

While working in the makeup industry, I have met the most amazing people in the field. Through them, I was inspired to not be good, but to be GREAT! I was ready to show the world the star I was meant to be. Social media has been a big staple in my makeup career. Through social media, I have worked with LA’s top photographers, inspired models and people all across Los Angeles. Being able to show my makeup on my own platform is a true blessing. Getting job opportunities that only a young gay Latino boy could dream of, was very humbling. Having people request and book me for my services is something that would never happen. Wow!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s certainly hasn’t been a smooth road. I still face many challenges that I don’t know how to deal with. But as a fighter, I’m not going down with a fight. Throughout my years, I made stupid decisions that I regret in the past. But those mistakes are the ones that either make you or break you. It didn’t break me, it made me stronger. 

In Nov 2012, about 3:55 am on a Friday night, I got pulled over for driving under the influence. It’s been one of my biggest mistakes I have ever done. During this awful situation, I was also going through depression. I had many demons going through my head saying “you’re not good enough, you’re a failure, end your life” etc….

Having to deal with a DUI and going a depression during that time in my life made everything worst. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know who to talk to. Faith was the only thing I had. Each day having to pray and making all those demons go away was something I had to do on a daily basis. I couldn’t let this big mistake define the person that I am.

Yes! I made a mistake but I will continue to better myself and do great. I had to stay focus and not worried too much of all the mistakes I’ve done but think about everything I’ve accomplished. Pursuing my long dream was something I wasn’t giving up, I still have time to grow and learn from all of this. I wasn’t giving up and nothing was going to stop me, even myself. It’s better to try and fail at one’s dreams than to never have tried at all.

Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
What I specialize in is enhancing your soul while making you look beautiful with the power of makeup. Makeup is something very powerful that I use to empower your spirit. Makeup is not about which brands you use or buy, it’s about what it does for you.

I was blessed with the art of artistry, why not use what God has given me and empower others. I have two hands, one to help others and one to help myself. With both, it’s magic!

What’s next? My goal is to get out retail and really focus on my artistry. In the near future, I would like to work on set on television, fashion, and with talent. My time will come, and when it does, I will be ready.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Personally, there’s no success without a journey. Overcoming all your mistakes and learning. Sacrificing things to help you do and love what you’re doing. Success isn’t easy, it’s not a mistake, it’s a life lesson of your journey. I always say, trust your struggle.

Contact Info:

• Email: anavarromua@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muaalexx

Image Credit:
Last 2 images: photographer on IG: @5twenty1
5th image (model on the beach): Photographer on IG:
@I.mays

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