Meet DTLA Hair & Makeup Artist: AJ Bourque

Today we’d like to introduce you to AJ Bourque.

AJ, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My beauty industry love affair all started in High School back in Florida, after being put in charge of our male cast members being makeup ready for stage. Months following graduation, I blossomed into a drag queen, Anastasia Fallon, and strengthened my skill set as a makeup artist. On a hiatus from the scene a few years later, I entered Cosmetology school as my own form of rehab, and found my true passion! After a few years in salons, I realized exactly where I wanted to be in the industry, and in 2013, my sister and I moved across the country to Los Angeles to pursue our dreams. Soon enough, I was on the path to my future, and I have happily had a steady first few years as a freelance artist, focusing on film and television. I have been fortunate enough to work with amazing established talent, as well as up and coming artists from all facets of production. With growing encouragement, and great potential, I look forward to many years of joy on sets, working with diverse talents…and continually expanding my own abilities and expressions!

Has it been a smooth road?
Are any of them?! The lessons I’ve learned along the way have come in more ways than I ever thought possible in my teens. Here I stand, having just turned thirty-three, and I know that I have yet to even learn a small portion of what life has to show me. I remain thankful to my amazing support staff of family, both blood and gained…without their love and support, my journey would never have taken me to this point. I would say that the biggest struggle in my near decade as a licensed stylist came in realizing that behind-the-chair life was not for me. As much as I enjoyed the potential interaction with fellow stylists and clients, I had to get to the point that I realized how limited the abilities I was developing were in that environment. Leaving my life across the country was another trial for me, but I was lucky enough to move to a city with which I immediately began falling in love! Student loans are an obvious struggle, right? Because, yeah…those darned things, too…

So, what should we be on the lookout for, what’s next in store for you?
I am excited to continue my journey with hair and makeup for film and television, and really looking forward to seeing my growth in that field. I hope to handle celebrity clients, and enjoy the success of my hard work and passion, while allowing myself more time and resources to pursue my artistic and business aspirations, including ideas of my own salon (s), and potentially schools for the beauty industry!

Let’s explore some of the challenges you’ve faced along the way. What was the most difficult part of your career so far?
Thd absolute hardest time of my life was coming to terms with an addiction in my early twenties. With the help of my family, I removed myself from that scene, and entered Cosmetology school as a rehab an exploration of my potential. In standing for myself, I found the career that my life had been missing. Ten years later and I celebrate that the darkest times of my life lead me to find something to do with my life, and the ability to share my gift of knowledge and talent with clients!

Are there days when you feel like you’ve done everything you wanted to, careerwise – the “I’ve made it” kind of moments?
Having celebrity clients on film sets seeing my potential in the industry and encouraging me along the way…my clients have always been a huge source of inspiration and confidence in my abilities.

Contact Info:

• Website:www.rockstarmuah.com
• Phone:(213)375-7919
• Email:aj.rockstarhair@gmail.com
• Instagram:@rockstarmuah
• Facebook:/AJsRockStarHair
• Other:Twitter: @TheRockStarMUAH