Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Olivares.
Karla, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My parents had just arrived in Dallas in ’95, where our first home was in Oak Cliff. We spent only a few years there and it wasn’t until my father decided he had to move his family out of that neighborhood. So, in ’97, when I was only 7 years old, we relocated to a small home in the city of Carrollton, where I grew up.
At age 10, I began to get very curious, and I remember I would sneak my mother’s makeup and play with it without her knowing. Until one day, she caught me and got onto me for wearing red lipstick! I just knew at that moment, I couldn’t live without it. “I must save up and buy my own” I would say to myself.
My mother got into cosmetology soon after, so growing up, I would often spend a lot of time at her job. Watching her transform people and work her “magic”, as we now call it, I was intrigued by it. I just wanted to do the same, I wanted to dedicate my time and effort into making people feel beautiful. Over the years, I kept pushing the thought out of my head because I knew it wasn’t what my parents wanted. I knew that my parents wanted us to attend a nice university, graduate with a 4-year degree of some sort. Therefore, beauty wasn’t an option.
I had just turned 16 when I had just bought my first kit, by kit I mean; three brushes, a foundation (that I would try to make fit everyone’s skin tone) a blush and a cheap little eyeshadow palette. I started to practice my skills on my sister, she was the “guinea pig”. Then, slowly, I started to get a little better. I would make little neon posters and post them to promote myself at my mother’s beauty salon.
The more I educated myself, the more I saw myself grow. I thought, maybe if I just do this on the side and still go to college it’ll all work out.
Seeing my brother and sister graduate with a bachelors degree, and I being the eldest of the three, had nothing but a dental assistant license. I thought I was letting my parents down. So, I enrolled into community college and decided I would study nursing. But, deep inside, I wasn’t happy. Something was missing and I knew, I was making the wrong decision.
It took many years before I realized that, I had to make some changes in order to succeed, not just financially, but in happiness as well. I kept telling myself that, beauty was in my heart and I had to follow that intuition. When I did finally let go of all that was holding me back and went for it, I realized how much my love had grown for this industry. How many years were wasted, debating on making a choice for myself without feeling selfish and guilty.
Has it been a smooth road?
There has definitely been many obstacles in the way. Getting to where I am now wasn’t easy for me, I had life push me back many times and it even felt like maybe I wasn’t doing the right thing. For example, many times it was the idea that, maybe being a makeup artist wouldn’t suffice for my family. I thought, makeup wouldn’t be enough to pay the bills. So, I would let go for a while. The obstacle of guilt, lead me astray for a long time.
Regardless, every time I was let down, I got back up and pushed forward. Beauty is in my blood, it’s my passion. I am an artist at heart. I still have not reached my peak, and I know that I have much more I wish to accomplish.
A lesson I learned was that our minds are a very powerful thing. You have to learn to become stronger, and trust your instincts.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with XO Beauty – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
XO Beauty, is my mark. I am currently a traveling freelance makeup-artist, that loves to make people feel their best. Currently, I am also an esthetician student, graduating in December.
I am only advertising on instagram and facebook. as of now. All my work is on my social media pages. I am very active and love all my supporters.
My goal is to provide quality and give whats expected and nothing less. My clients put their trust in me so I take that very seriously, I work hard.
I don’t see it as a job, I build relationships with my clients and chat with them as I transform them. I see it as a little therapy for many.
I have been inspired my so many local artists and they motivate me each day to be better. I work with such a vast diversity from models to brides, to glamming up a tired and busy mother of 4.
I want to make them feel more beautiful than they really are while providing a great experience for them. I do not see myself as just your average makeup artist. I am very proud of where I am today, the work that I bring to the table and it is only getting better each and every day.
I love seeing the smile on my client’s faces when I reveal the final look, it just gives me so much joy and it makes it all worth it in the end.
I believe that, no matter what field you’re in, whether it is, being a cop, working at a restaurant, as a janitor, cleaning houses, always give it your best and BE the BEST!
When I am not out working, I am filming makeup looks and posting to my YouTube channel or on Instagram to share my techniques and tips to all my followers.
Even though it is a very competitive field, I keep focusing on myself and becoming better each day. After all, our biggest competitor is ourselves. I don’t ever put others in my industry down, in fact, I have many makeup artists that I look up to here in the Dallas area. I know that we all want the same thing and share the same passion. I admire those who empower each other. I actually hope to collaborate with local artists soon, that would be awesome!
I consider myself as an influencer, who as much as I am inspired, wish to be an inspiration to many.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
In Dallas, you don’t see as many opportunities for our industry as you would in bigger cities like LA or NYC. For example, you’ll see many famous designers and beauty brands being established in places like LA and NYC. Dallas is just not on the map as an industry city. California is big for becoming well known and has more room for growth for upcoming makeup artists. As for Texas, were not quite there yet.
Despite it being so, I love my city and I will continue to strive here.
Dallas may not be as big on the map, but it definitely is getting there. What makes this city so special to me is the heart and soul. The smaller things are truly amazing here. We have many advantages and are surrounded by many local artists with so much talent and that definitely makes us the future. The beauty industry just like our city is growing immensely and is becoming more popular for the art of these individuals. Small businesses are booming and I am very grateful for that and the great opportunities it provides.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/XO.beautyy/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: __xo.beauty__
- Facebook: XO.beautyy
- Twitter: karlakarinaaaaa
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas 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.
