Today we’d like to introduce you to Lissette Waugh.
Hi Lissette, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a young girl growing up in a Latin household, fashion, and makeup played a large role in how I expressed myself. I was drawn to High Fashion magazines and devoted to trying to recreate the looks that I would see. I have very vivid memories of skimming through magazines like Vogue and Bazar and tearing out pages of all my favorite looks. I would then run to the store and purchase various brands of makeup and try to recreate the different looks that I fell in love with. The struggle wasn’t recreating the looks but trying to find a foundation color for a young Hispanic girl that didn’t have a pink or orange undertone. I believe this setback started my obsession with makeup and ultimately lead me to the beginning of my professional career as a Makeup Artist. Over my 28-year career, I was known for my diverse repertoire of makeup techniques and exquisite fashion instinct and grew my brand by catering to the local socialites and high society of Las Vegas and world-famous celebrity clientele. After a successful freelance career, I started LMI to create a world-class school to support those like me who want to pursue their passion of becoming a professional makeup artist because when I was coming up, schools like L Makeup Institute did not exist. Even now, you may be able to learn some basic makeup artistry or special effects tricks as part of a Cosmetology Program by attending a local makeup workshop or watching YouTube tutorials, but those only scratch the surface of what you need to know to have a successful career as a makeup artist.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?Nothing great in life comes easy and regardless of your personal obstacles, you must put in the work.
AS A MAKEUP ARTIST
– Finding creative ways to network and promote my business.
– Building an impeccable reputation and building a clientele.
– Starting a freelance career in the mid-‘90s when cell phones and social media were not a resource.
CHALLENGES OPENING A BUSINESS
– Setting the standard for Makeup Artistry Education by creating from scratch curriculum and program development, facility design, and software. Unlike many other Trade schools, there is no textbook or blueprint for this field, and it is ever-evolving.
– Educating the public that no matter what industry you choose within makeup artistry, professional training in all styles of makeup artistry is essential for long-term success. There are no short-cuts, and you will not learn this as part of a cosmetology program, through YouTube, or attending short workshops.
– When opening the school, I received opposition from the State Board of Cosmetology in Nevada. They attempted to shut me down or force me to succumb to being under the umbrella of Cosmetology. Either they considered us a threat, or they didn’t understand that learning makeup artistry is specialized training that goes well beyond beauty and bridal. So, I changed state law and I succeeded.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
L Makeup Institute is an accredited makeup artistry school that offers hands-on, deep study in all styles of makeup artistry. Our curriculum provides the comprehensive training required to be well-rounded, highly skilled as a certified makeup artist prepared to work in the many makeup artist industries immediately upon graduating.
– Being an Advocate for Education & Makeup Artistry!
– The success of our graduates.
– Everything. There are maybe five or six makeup schools like ours in the nation.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
There are no shortcuts to becoming a great makeup artist. Do your research. Take time to tour several schools and make sure the school you chose will prepare you for a successful career in makeup artistry. Also, I cannot stress enough the importance of attending an accredited school.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lmi.edu
- Instagram: lmakeupinstitute
- Facebook: lmakeupinstitute
