June 3, 2016

Meet Los Feliz Makeup & Hairstylist: Zoie Roman

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zoie Roman.

Zoie, can you give us a brief overview of how you got to where you are today?

After graduating high school in 2007 I enrolled in makeup school at EI School of Professional Make Up graduating in 2009. I started freelance working in the industry working in short films, shoots, commercials and live events and also worked in a makeup studio in Highland Park where I did private events and started developing my cliental. While working on set, hair dressers asked me to help out so I decided to enroll in cosmetology school to further my education. After receiving my cosmetology license in 2013, I started working in different salons in the greater Los Angeles area. Working freelance gigs throughout the years I have had the opportunity to work on commercial shoots for companies like Lincoln Motor Company, Graco, ESPN, Toyota, and Verizon just to name a few. I am currently working at Rudy’s Barbershop in Silverlake where I do color and cuts day to day and still work freelance gigs while also studying for my barber license.

Perfect – so what’s been the hardest part of your journey?

Hardest aspect has been attempting to balance between working freelance to pursue my dream while still getting my licenses and still have a steady income to pay the bills. And keeping motivated and still maintaining my creativity through my art. Receiving my licenses and getting the chance to work on recognizable brands in the industry and expanding my portfolio. Getting interviewed for this magazine.

Any plans for the – any big changes?

Right now I’m really enjoying perfecting my craft both in and out of the salon. I maintain a very busy schedule between my regular salon hours and taking on all sorts of freelance jobs on the side doing hair and make-up. By taking on all these extra jobs I’m learning a lot and creating so many connections that I hope will in turn land me a future working solely on my own out of the salon. I’d love to be a part of the local 706 Union and work on set, and still give everyone magical unicorn hair!

Can we go a little deeper into your story? In particular can you tell me about the hardest time in your career?

The hardest time in my career was definitely in the beginning of it all. I enrolled in makeup school and in order to afford it I started working the graveyard shift at a factory. Throughout school I started working student films, with little to no pay, helping me build my experience and credibility. After graduating from make-up school I began working at a bridal & special events make-up and hair studio, all awhile doing freelance gigs doing photo shoots, and set work. At the studio I was very busy with make-up clients but the business was really taking off and they sort of just threw me into the hair side of it. I never really thought about doing hair, but I end up really enjoying it and my co-worker said I should consider hair school. I juggled the studio and freelance jobs and school, and it was a lot. Looking back on it all it really wasn’t that long ago and I would have never imagined I would be here today, but it makes me feel great to reflect and see how all my hard work and determination has lead me in my career.

So, do you ever wake up, walk into Rudy’s in trendy silverlake and think wow – I’m crushing it?

I can’t say I think “I’ve made it”, because as a creative person I strive to always do more and learn more with every experience that comes my way. Recently as I drove home from working a Toyota Commercial, I couldn’t help but think how proud I was of myself, not only for the opportunity but for never giving up. So many times I wanted to give up and get a “normal 9 – 5”, but I didn’t, I kept going and dreamed of working big gigs as these. So I’m extremely excited for the future and what’s to come – looking back on this all at 70 or so I’d love to be able to say all my dreams came true plus some!

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