Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Hernandez.
Hi Amanda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started playing in makeup at a very young age. There’s nothing more that I love than being able to make people feel beautiful in their own skin. When I was 18 I started working retail and eventually went to the beauty counter. I’ve worked for Ulta, Sephora and MAC. I’ll always be a MAC girl at heart! My mom was always a huge inspiration to me when it came to my craft. My mom loved makeup as much as I did and definitely encouraged my obsession.
When I was 24 my mom passed away unexpectedly and after her passing, I inherited her massive makeup kit. The rest was history. I earned my BA and MFA in Fine Arts from Texas Woman’s University. During my undergraduate and graduate degrees I worked as a makeup artist at a topless bar. While some might find it off-putting, I found it liberating. I was able to create freely and still build my business. In 2019 my younger brother lost his battle with cancer. 2019 was an especially hard year and I took a long break from makeup. I needed time to heal before I could create. It took me about to year to get back into the groove. I had been working for a salon that was having a hard time, and the clients suffered.
It was during that time that I realized I could do this. I could run a mobile business and give my clients what I felt they deserved. About three weeks before Covid hit the states I had taken the leap and decided to open my mobile business The Beauty Labb. Who knew what was around the corner. It was devastating at first, we weren’t able to work or take on any clientele due to safety and health reasons. Somehow, myself and my team were able to weather the storm and we are finally back on track! My mission for my business is to give our clientele beauty on-demand. Especially now with Covid being so prevalent we have found it easier to take on clients in a smaller setting in the comfort of their own home.
Myself along with my team absolutely love working at weddings! I love love, and being there for the big day. The Beauty Labb is an inclusive business, we are absolutely LBTGQ+ friendly. I want everyone and anyone to be able to feel and look their best! I am so proud of how far I have come!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Just when I feel like I know what I am doing I definitely get a reality check. Working in the beauty industry is incredibly hard. You have to have a thick skin, you’re constantly compared to other artists. People can be cruel and catty and it can be hard. The hardest part is when there is a lull in business, I want to succeed and for my team to succeed. I am constantly working and advertising so that I can keep our books full or as full as they can be. Covid was extraordinarily hard. We were scared and our clients and brides were scared. None of us knew what was next. Now that there are vaccines we are able to do what we love and I can work with confidence.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
One of my main specialties is doing makeup for the South Asian community, especially the brides. It takes a different technique to be able to achieve their looks. South Asian makeup is absolutely glamorous, and colorful. I love that it isn’t the traditional bridal makeup and that each look is completely different. There aren’t a ton of artists that can create that type of look or that understand the cultural history behind it. When I started working with the South Asian/Indian community I took my time to learn and understand the verbiage and meanings behind each ceremony. I pride myself in being able to understand my brides and their background and what each of their ceremonies mean and how I can create a look to reflect that ceremony.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I don’t have just one memory. But I remember that I used to love breaking into my mom’s makeup kit so that I could touch all of the colors and textures. Playing dress up or salon is something that I loved to do. I’ve been a creator and imaginative my whole life.
Pricing:
- $130.00 ea. for Bridal Makeup and Bridal Hair
- $100.00 ea. for On-Demand Hair and Makeup
- $100.00 Party Makeup
- $100.00 Party Hair
Contact Info:
- Email: thebeautylabbdfw@gmail.com
- Website: www.thebeautylabbdfw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_beauty_labb_dfw/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebeautylabbdfw/
