Today we’d like to introduce you to Haley Salazar.
Hi Haley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have been interested in the beauty industry for as long as I can remember. I grew up watching classic movies with my grandmother and was fascinated with the old glamour looks. I remember a scene in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” where Audrey Hepburn’s character was putting on her lipstick and that was the moment I fell in love with makeup. I started doing makeup in high school— I would bring my makeup to school and instead of doing class work I would give the girls in my class makeovers and do all of my friend’s prom makeup. Over the years I continued to do freelance makeup until I decided to take the leap and just to make up full-time professionally. I had a full-time job as a bank manager when I decided to accept a 12-hour-a-week part-time position at MAC. It was a struggle financially; I didn’t really have anyone to fall back on. There were times I would scrounge up change to try and buy ramen noodles or take up second jobs to try and get my bills paid but it was worth it to be able to do what I was passionate about. Eventually, I was offered a full-time position at MAC where I obtained internal certifications and gained experience working on all types of canvases. While I no longer work for MAC, I still freelance and love to do special event makeup. I have done all types of makeup for all occasions from news reporters to weddings. Now, my focus is mainly special event makeup like bridal and prom makeup, it’s such an amazing feeling to be a part of such big moments in peoples’ lives.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I was raised by a single mom and grew up quite poor. My mom and I lived with my grandma in a two-bedroom house with 3 other people. I slept on a couch for most of my childhood. I attempted to go to college but dropped out when my grandmother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I had to take on the role of being the breadwinner in my family and worked hard in whatever job I could find. I worked my way up to a management position at a bank and was doing pretty well for myself when I accepted a freelance position at MAC. I was able to balance the two jobs until my boss as MAC essentially gave me an ultimatum, mac or the bank. I took a crazy leap of faith and a huge pay cut. I was also going through a major breakup, and I came home one day to everything gone but my bed (and the bills) because my ex had taken literally everything. I struggle to pay bills and hardly ate. My car was repossessed and I bought a new one from a crappy dealership that broke down the day after I got it. The battery died a couple of times a week so I had to keep a portable battery charger in the car and jumpstart my car every so often. I remember a time specifically when I was sitting on the floor of my empty house, bills piling up, and my gas and electricity about to shut off. I felt so defeated and it was so hard to start over when I already established a life before. But I did what I had to do and worked hard until I was able to get back on my feet.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
While I do enjoy doing natural looks, my favorite is “extra” makeup. Crazy bright colors, glitter, and cut creases are my thing. I am most proud of the connections I have been able to make with others and I am proud that I got as far as I did with integrity and without having done so at the expense of anyone else. The beauty industry can be a bit ugly sometimes- I was regularly hazed by my bosses who looked down on everyone and were the classic makeup snobs. I am proud to say that I always stayed true to my roots and refused to treat others as if I was better than them. I believe that anyone can be an expert in makeup, everyone has something to offer, and I believe in the spirit of collaboration.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
Instagram is a major resource for makeup in particular. There are so many makeup artists to learn from and be inspired by.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.leluneartistry.wordpress.com
- Instagram: @_sushibean
