Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Navarro. Stephanie has been exploring this field since a very young age and now she’s a sought after artist all over LA. She has built an impressive profile by working for major brands and renowned artists. Below you’ll find edited excerpts of our interview with this seasoned artist.
Stephanie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I got my first taste of working as a makeup artist at just 15 years old. I found a rare opportunity to intern on a feature film production and spent entire summer vacation learning about film in the makeup and hair department. This internship sparked my determination to become a professional makeup artist and hair stylist. I became completely enthralled and I continued to work on indie films throughout high school while building my resume and my makeup kit. I couldn’t wait to get started working that I graduated high school early at age 17. Within the same month of graduating high school I chose to relocate to Los Angeles and start my career.
One of my proudest jobs to date is doing an ad for Virgin Airlines their Ads are iconic and creative. The Virgin Air Billboards were all over LA. Another notable accomplishment is in 2015 I appeared on TV 7 times. 5 times with the Hallmark Channel show ‘Home and Family.’ I was a part of their ‘Makeover Monday’ segments. Then later that year, ‘The Doctors TV’ found me via Google listing and I was asked to come on two different segments to give makeovers to deserving women. Throughout the years, I have had the pleasure of working with a few celebrities such as Al Pachino, Coco Rocha, Wayne Brady, the boy band The Vamps and Tom Brady. Some notable brands I have worked with are Adidas, GNC, Uber, Mc Donald’s, Subaru, Sunglass hut, and Allstate.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to gain agency representation, I do well on my own but an agent will take my career to the next level. They will guide me in a specific direction and help build a stronger portfolio.
Another big step is, I would also love to gain a few more celebs to work with for their red carpet events and press junkets.
Long term: My dream would be to work with a major cosmetic line as their go-to artist for their ad campaigns, makeup consulting and education or being their brand ambassador.
Let’s dig a little deeper into your story. What was the hardest time you’ve had?
I used to have a major client that I worked with twice per year for a total of 4-6 weeks per year. I turned them down this year to take my career in a different direction, it was a difficult decision.
It’s was a solid day rate for the job. After 4 years of being loyal I thought it was time to move on from them and make room for bigger and better things. Since they started the project, work has been a little slow this month and I was kicking myself for turning down good easy money. It has also given me a lot of time to think about how I regretted the decision.
I put a lot of pressure on myself to move on and grow as an artist.
In my down time in the last few weeks, I have been doing test shoots to update my portfolio, contacting new photographers to work with, looking for agency representation. I am doing the work that will take me to the next level in my career. Sometimes it’s really hard to say no and let go. I try not to make decisions based on fear and I am a big believer in the rule ‘if you don’t like it, change it’. I’m still in the funk of working through this but I know I will get through it.
Pricing:
- I take care of my brides starting at $450 for makeup and hair
- Bridesmaids are $85 for each additional service (makeup or hair)
- My rate for print and commercial work varies depending on the client but it’s usually around $1200 up to $2000 per day.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @beautiebystephanie
- Snapchat: imakebeauty
- stephanienavarro.com
- bridesbystephaine.com
Check out her work below:
