October 22, 2016

Meet DTLA Makeup Artist: Angel Montenegro

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Montenegro.

Angel, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Well, my story really starts at the MAC counter. I was 19. A regular customer. I’d always go in during my spare time and get my makeup done. I’d pay close attention to what was being done and ask lots of questions. I would buy the products used and go home wash my face and start over by myself. I did that time and time again and essentially taught myself how to do makeup. I then started practicing on friends and gave myself the challenge of applying for MAC and getting hired. So I did;I applied and interviewed with 5 different managers till I finally got the call saying I was hired! I was ecstatic! I worked at MAC for a little bit over 3 years. I learned so much. I learned how to speak to the clients. Break down walls between the client and myself. I learned how to be a professional artist and how to carry myself. I started to get a following at the counter. There were many clients that would come and get their makeup done by only me. There were also many clients that would ask me to do their makeup outside the counter. When I was no longer with MAC I had more availability to do freelance work. I started to take clients on weekends. They would pass on my info to a friend or family member who needed makeup and/or hair services and I would work on them as well. I then started to answer ads to work on set. Whether it would be a photoshoot or a film shoot I went for it! I began to work more on set and got comfortable around actors, models, directors, etc. I started to push myself even more and taught myself some basic special effects makeup. I watch tons of videos and practiced till I got it down. I started to take on more special effects gigs and promoted myself during Halloween. Fast forward 10+ years from that young 19-year-old girl at the MAC counter and my clientele has grown as has my artistry. I’m older, more mature, more business savvy. I have a few production companies I work regularly with. I have a good following on my social media accounts and am busier than ever. I absolutely love what I do!

Has it been a smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road for me. There were times in the beginning when I would get really nervous and take longer than expected and feel so much pressure I would mess up and have to restart. Or sometimes when a client would ask for the eyeshadow to be lighter or less dramatic and have to remove what was already on her and start over and tell the client “sure not a problem we can definitely do that” all with a big smile on my face not letting the client know I was upset. There were also times where my personal life would create “speed bumps”. I was a single mother of two babies in the beginning and would struggle to find a babysitter and miss out on great opportunities. Things like that come up and you have to just push through. It’s a bumpy journey that can be very rewarding as well.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans for the future are to teach. I would like to hold classes for anyone interested in learning makeup techniques. I love helping others, the idea of teaching, and makeup! So, the idea of holding classes has always been one of my goals!

Let’s go backward a bit – can you tell us about the most trying time in your career?
The hardest time in my career was when I had my second baby who was only 16 months younger than my first. I went through the struggle of finding a babysitter. My parents were not always available. My boyfriend at the time was working a lot and so it was really just me. One thing I will never do is tell a client I will do their makeup on a set date and not show up. It’s hard enough finding someone to watch your baby, now having to ask someone to watch your TWO babies, lol now that’s a toughie! But, overall, everything would end up working out and I never left my clients hanging!

Are there days when you feel like you’ve done everything you wanted to, careerwise – the “I’ve made it” kind of moments?
There was a moment in my career at MAC that really boosted up my confidence and really made me feel like I was on the right track. MAC has (or had) this program called the Impact Team. There were some individuals chosen from different MAC locations to be a part of this team. If you were chosen, it was basically because your artistry was on point, your sales skills were on point, and your ability to be in the spotlight and teach classes was on point. I was called up to interview for a position and I got it!! I was a part of the very first Impact Team at MAC. I was so beyond proud of myself. There I was able to teach some technique classes at my counter and participate in major MAC events. It really was an amazing time.

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