Today we’d like to introduce you to Valentina Velasquez.
Valentina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Some call me Maria but on Instagram, you can find me as Valentina, and you will listen to my family and close friends calling me Tina. I was born and raised in Venezuela. I moved to USA to challenge myself, learn and grow. And what a challenge it has been! I enjoy art since I was little. It has always given me so much joy. Dancing, drawing, painting, doing pottery, sewing, acting, playing the guitar and designing have been part of my journey and artistic education. It was very hard for me to choose only one, all of them cause a very special effect in me. But I discovered that makeup was one of my favorite because it was present in most of the above. When I was five years old, I “played” with my mom that I had a spa. Then, when I was in high school, I did my friends’ hair and makeup for parties. Later, I found myself doing my sister’s makeup for her wedding.
Before coming to USA, I had taken a basic self-makeup course but I realized that I liked makeup much more than I thought, so I decided to challenge myself by going beyond with my makeup education. I knew about Leslie Hernandez from Backstage Makeup Professionals and contacted her. On March 2018, I took her 7-day intensive course and I graduated after having done 14 models, all with different makeups. That was my “Aha moment”! I knew what I wanted to do. Backstage opened its doors and its heart for me and named me part of its team as a “Senior Makeup Artist”. Since then, I am a professional makeup artist in process: always learning and always wanting to bring out the best version of my clients.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, there have been many obstacles along the way. Moving to a new country to start completely from scratch is not easy. First of all, there’s a language barrier. How could you dream about having your own business in a country with a language different from yours? Who would dare to be successful without knowing anybody? Certainly, the limitations are in our minds. I realized that another obstacle was myself. I had to start by believing everything I set my mind to: I learned the language and prepared myself obtaining and improving new makeup skills. I have had two jobs to pay my bills and to save money for my education. It’s not easy trying to have a balance between that and getting enough sleep, going out with my boyfriend and sharing with my family.
It’s a struggle but thanks to my hard work and perseverance, I have been able and blessed in having the opportunities to meet wonderful people who have contributed to my growth as a person and as a professional makeup artist. Dallas is a big city with very long distances. Not having a car has been an obstacle for me in many occasions. I’m still working on that! Meanwhile, I am still proud of what I have achieved until now. I will continue giving my best to thrive in what I love doing. Every obstacle has helped me to know myself more and to realize what I am capable of doing…. of everything we are all capable of doing and achieving!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Makeup can have a different meaning for everybody. For me, makeup is about enhancing the natural beauty with which we were born. I love the makeup that makes you smile when you look in the mirror (which is not easy for some) and makes you feel that you are still you but super ready to dazzle wherever you go. And that is what I try to convey to my clients! Either if the makeup is colorful or very neutral, I always try to get a bit of personality from each client to highlight it, reminding them that they have it and making them shine even more! My mission is to make them feel the confidence of showing the best version of themselves!
The makeup industry is very competitive. There’s so much talent out there! But I believe there’s business for all of us. What we can do is to take advantage of learning from one another. I particularly feel very proud of having learned from some great personalities in the makeup world: my mentor Leslie Hernandez (USA), Pepe Gutierrez (Mexico), GabyRos Makeup (Venezuela), Tati Bueno (Brazil) and Rokael Lizama (USA). I have also had the work experience in several events: WE Day, Men Fashion Week Dallas, Project Beauty (nonprofit organization), RAW Natural Born Artists showcase and Dolce & Gabbana fashion show. And of course, in my private practice with my clients.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love Dallas. The city is super chic, youthful and at the same time cozy. It reminds me of my small city but certainly more modern. It is a very good place to live with your family, to study, eat, and also to meet many other cultures for the diversity of its people. Wherever I am in the future, I will always have it in my heart. It has witnessed my growth and everything I have achieved! I look forward to discovering and reaching out to every corner of it!
Contact Info:
- Address: 17194 Preston Rd, Mattison Suites, Room 136, Dallas, Texas
- Phone: (469)2356156
- Email: promakeup.valentina@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valentina_mkp/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valentinamkp/
Image Credit:
Felipe Castruita from Backstage Makeup Professionals
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