Today we’d like to introduce you to Vicky Garcia.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Vicky. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started my makeup career a little over 5 years ago. Prior to pursuing a career in makeup and the beauty industry, I was a wedding coordinator at a wedding chapel in Downtown Los Angeles. I decided I wanted to be a makeup artist because my favorite part of the job was seeing the brides come in on their wedding day all done up, hair and makeup and in their beautiful dresses. That’s what I looked forward to the most and that’s what really inspired me to want to get into the beauty industry. I wanted to do their makeup rather than helping to plan their wedding. It was then when I decided to take a makeup course at a beauty academy. Shortly after becoming certified, one of my main goals was to work for MAC Cosmetics. I had always looked up to the brand and knew they had the best of the best makeup artists. I attended one of their open career calls and I was able to get through to the second and third interviews. Yes, there is a whole interview process to get hired with MAC. I didn’t get the job. At that moment, I was a little discouraged but at the same time I knew that, that was what I really wanted.
About a month later, they had another open career call and I went in and also got through to the third interview. Two weeks later, I found out that I got the job! I remember being so excited and looked forward to embark on this new journey. Working for MAC helped me gain a lot of knowledge and experience. I learned a lot from my fellow artists. Work was always fun! They say do what you love and you won’t have to work a day in your life. Well, I am a firm believer of that because work is never work for me, it’s always play time! About 2 years after working, I started to notice that clients would always request me for their makeup appointments and they would come back so I could do their make up. This is when I decided to grow my business and freelance outside of work. I ordered some business cards and I started giving them out at work and just networking and anywhere I would go, I would leave my business cards and slowly started to build my clientele. I started doing a lot of special events, weddings, quinceañeras and proms. I then began to book photo shoots. I did a couple of collaborations with local photographers with aspiring models with different companies who were willing to work with me. I did campaigns with a couple of clothing boutiques. Although, I was happy and I had developed a steady clientele base, I always knew that I wanted more and my dream was always to do celebrities and be able to see my work on magazines and television. It wasn’t until this year 2018, when I met Telli Swift, a cast member on a reality TV show on E network! I like to say that she “discovered me” because she actually found my work on Instagram, which by the way has been a huge platform for me and my makeup career. A lot of my client bookings come from Instagram so shout out to Instagram!
After doing Telli’s makeup for the first time, she continued to book me and she also connected me with other cast members from the show. I also met an amazing hairstylist who also works with celebrity clients and that is how I began to do more high profile clients. My work has been featured on KTLA News as well as Access Hollywood and US Weekly Magazine. So, many amazing opportunities that have unfolded for me and I am just so happy and excited that my dreams are coming true. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me because it is only the beginning! I have big dreams and I want my business and brand to continue growing and become more successful. Finally, I would also love to travel more for work. The sky is the limit!
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road of course. I’ve had struggles, especially when I decided to step down from a full-time position to a part-time position and eventually only working 20 hours a week at MAC. I did this in order to build and allow my personal business to grow. I think that for any makeup artist who freelances on their own, the biggest struggle is to maintain a consistent clientele base. I have been very fortunate to to have clients who always not only return but also recommend me. Although the road hasn’t been easy, I never let that get in the way of my goals and my dreams. If you really want something, then how Selena Quintanilla said, “always believe that the impossible is always possible.”
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Vicky G. Makeup Artist – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
As of right now, I specialize in bridal makeup and am currently working on expanding to film and television as well as print. I love to customize each look to my clients’ personal liking and style. I am known for creating a very clean glamour beauty makeup. I think that is what sets me apart. Aside from my skill set and my ability to do a good job at makeup artistry, clients love my personality. The connections and the relationships that I am able to build with these women who trust me to make them look their absolute best are always genuine.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love my city! Los Angeles is where it’s at! I mean think about it, we have Hollywood here! There are so many opportunities here for a makeup artists, hairstylists or anyone who is in the beauty industry who chases to make it big! As long as you work hard, stay consistent, dedicated and focused on your goals, I think anything is obtainable here. Hard work always pays off!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/vickygmakeupartist
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/VickyG.Makeupartist/
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/qTKq/XSdhXjTm7K
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.
