Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisandro Preza.
Lisandro, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I came to the United States from El Salvador when I was 14. December of 2004, my mother passed away, just 6 months after I had arrived to Hawthorne. That was my freshman year of High School at Hawthorne High School. Second semester I decided to audition for the school’s musical production Bye Bye Birdie. Needless to say, I did not get a speaking role because of my limited English, but Mrs. Saari gave me the opportunity to have a dancing role and she casted me as Karl. Being in the production was my first contact with makeup. I was scared, I was embarrassed, I had no clue what to do. It was required for us to wear makeup on stage. After touching makeup for the first time I became obsessed with it and when productions came where the characters where limited or there were no dancing parts, I volunteered to help with hair and makeup.
As I went into Sophomore year, I started to go out more often with friends, specially to the mall and it was at Del Amo Mall where I spotted MAC Cosmetics for the first time. I instantly fell in love with the display of eyeshadows. The ads outside the store would have me staring for a long minute. Year after year I wished I could go inside the store. As a Hispanic male in a culture where any male touching or associating himself with makeup or hair products was taboo or a no, no at that time; I kept myself restricted from going inside. Fast forward to 2009, I decided to continue a character I created in 2008 for Halloween, Lisa Gabriela. Because the previous year I noticed the makeup I did on myself was terrible I decided to have my Makeup done by someone who knew. I told my best friend Crystal and she took me to MAC Cosmetics in South Bay Galleria’s Nordstrom. I felt like a kid inside a candy store, I felt so many emotions while I sat in that black director’s chair. That was the step that set my goals to do what I been wanting to do since I was 14. In 2010, I enrolled in Cosmetology school thinking I would be taught makeup or so I was told. I did finish the program and I was glad I did because it taught me to disinfect used tools so I can re-use them with other clients without cross contaminating. Because I was disappointed with the basic course of makeup I was taught in Cosmetology, I started to watch YouTube videos to learn on my own. Three people who caught my attention on YouTube were Wayne Goss, Jaclyn Hill and Kevin James Bennett. After I got hooked on them it was a ritual to sit and watch them and learn their techniques. Once I felt comfortable doing makeup on people, I decided to start doing makeup on my family for special occasions. Word spread and I started to get neighbors as clients. As more people came I decided to make a website so they could book me through it. I was graced with Bobbi Brown Cosmetic’s Pro discount, followed by MAC Cosmetics. I instantly became a MAC Cosmetics client favoring the store at the El Segundo Plaza. There I became friends with Karla, Denisse and Angel. All three helped me with my kit and my skills. Once I got my MAC Pro discount benefits, I would be at the store at least twice a week, asking questions and watching them work as they helped my kit grow. They would teach me about products and advise me as to what products I really needed so I could spend less money. Needless to say, I have 90% of all the MAC eyeshadows in my kit and 85% of my kit is formed by MAC products. At the same time, the above was happening I was helping run a club created by a student and myself at Hawthorne High School called Team of Dreams. For every event we did (parades, hospital visits, library story times or other special events for the community) I had to do makeup on the females to get them into characters, sometimes I had to do makeup on 7 girls in less than 5 hrs. That gave me more experience and speed. As of now I get clients from word of mouth, Yelp, Gig Salad, my personal website and Instagram. Karla from MAC, who is also from El Salvador works along with me occasionally on weddings or events where I can’t do just myself.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been blessed with amazing friends who have helped me in my career; from me practicing on them, to location rides when I needed to cosmetic brand gift cards to grow my kit. It there was ever any obstacle it has been money. We Makeup Artists do it because we have a passion. Makeup Artistry is not an inexpensive job. Most of my money usually went to Team of Dreams to buy fabrics so I could make the costumes, for accesories accessories and wigs to complete the characters. I love my burgers and there were days where I could either buy a burger or buy a lipstick or brush for my kit.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Houze of Preza MUA – what should we know?
Houze of Preza MUA specializes in bridal and special events. I have associates who do hair but my main service is makeup. As the owner, I feel proud to care and provide quality makeup for my clients at reasonable prices. What sets me apart from others is the care, enthusiasm and respect I give to each individual client. I focus in the artistry, money comes second. Everyone deserves to be pampered in their own special event. If I see someone genuinely struggling with money I will give that person a discount, if I get a struggling student paying on its own I will give an even bigger discount or provide the service without any charge. As a Makeup Artist, I make sure to meet with clients ahead of time to show the look I have come up with, I ask questions and I make sure my work is what they envisioned and are happy with.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Care, quality makeup and punctuality.
Pricing:
- Prices range from $65 to $110 depending how far I have to travel.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.houzeofprezamua.com
- Phone: 310.654.9367
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houzeofprezamua/
Image Credit:
Walking Bridal Image: James Garcia at Seek Studios Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
