Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristian Leal.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cristian. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was always intrigued and dabbled in the Arts, middle school I discovered makeup since I was always in a theater. Then started wearing makeup as a daily thing at school, back in those days a boy in makeup wasn’t normal or acceptable in society especially being the only boy that wore makeup. Highschool I started taking it more seriously from learning different shapes and shade ranges. By 17 I started doing clientele makeup at my school for events, even teachers and staff wanted me to do there face. I did fashion shows, prom, wedding practically any and every event.
Now at age 19, I’m being noticed by certain people, and really diving in the beauty/makeup industry, it’s one of the best career paths I have chosen.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Doing makeup was not a smooth road, personally for me, I was and still to this day get harassed for wearing makeup, I wouldn’t be around certain areas alone with makeup on. I’ve gotten called many ignorant comments from middle school to now, my family wasn’t fine with me wearing makeup at first, the ideal men dress as men and woman dressed like a woman. It took them a while by educating them, standing up for myself and making valid points plus because I made money out of it. Makeup did save my life, at age 17 I was diagnosed with acute kidneys so I had to be on dialysis for about a year and a half with other complications, makeup gave me hope it gave me hope and strength. I would do my nurses’ makeup for fun, I would get clients even though my health wasn’t the best. I pushed through physically and mentally. Makeup also is very therapeutic because at age 18 I got my kidney transplant of May 2018 which was the best relief ever. Makeup makes me happy because I love to tap into client’s inner beauty and showing it out, when a client feels confident and beautiful it’s the best feeling ever.
Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about your work?
My business specializes in makeup, from the natural skin makeup to glamours, to runway “avant-garde” looks. What I am most proud of is how many different people you meet, meeting people from the same industry and learning and growing as an artist. The emotional aspect that a client feels confident and ready to take on the world is what I am most proud of. As an artist what sets me apart, from all the traumatic physical and emotional obstacles I went through, makeup was there for me, as a brown boy who came from Mexico to here at age two coming from nothing to now with something. Also, I promote diversity in all shade ranges from the deepest rich shades to the fair skin shades, to pushing and perseverance.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up in a strict Latino family it was for me very hard to be happy and comfortable in my own skin. I really wanted to show all my colors to how I express and feel to others. I was always bullied in elementary/middle school, for always being very “different” I would always Stand out as the awkward kid in school, finically my parents couldn’t afford such things, but had to make it work. Since as a toddler I would always love drawing makeup looks and clothes, I would get into music by playing accordion and piano, to acting and dancing, to creating choreography, and doing makeup look before a show. It was an outlet to be myself, even though I was uncomfortable with my dad especially for being myself. But growing up means I had to stand up to what I believe in and not caring in the world what others think helped me get through a lot, especially when getting online and public scrutiny.
Pricing:
- Soft natural makeup $45
- Full Beat detailed eyes/face $60
- Colorful dramatic makeup $75
- Wedding makeup $70
Contact Info:
- Phone: 4242241140
- Email: cristianleal929@gmail.com
- Instagram: crazii.kid
Image Credit:
instagram: @crazii.kid
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