Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariana Vázquez
Hi Mariana, 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?
Hi, I’m Mariana, a professional K-beauty makeup artist specializing in adapting Asian and Korean makeup techniques to suit Latin features. I’m based in Mexico but frequently travel to Dallas, where my family resides.
I started my business in Mexico at the age of 24, during the pandemic. Prior to that, I had quit my 9-to-5 job as a saleswoman at the makeup school where I studied professional Western makeup. I was ready to pursue my dream career in makeup artistry, but the timing couldn’t have been more challenging. With events and gatherings restricted, the demand for social makeup nearly vanished. Add to that the fact that I was just starting out as a freelancer with no established contacts, and it seemed like an uphill battle.
Growing up, I was inspired by cover artists on YouTube like Justin Bieber and makeup influencers such as Patrick Star and James Charles. I was obsessed with the idea of becoming a full-time YouTuber. When I was 13, my dad bought me a guitar to support my passion for music, and by the time I turned 18, I had filmed my first video, focusing on fashion. I’ve always had a strong eye for aesthetics, which naturally led to a deep interest in image design. Unfortunately, my parents couldn’t afford to send me to study that field, so I had to put that dream on hold and explore other options.
I briefly studied architecture, but after just one semester, I realized it wasn’t for me. From there, I explored various paths—I took a course on image design, worked at TonyMoly as a saleswoman and makeup artist, taught English, studied professional makeup design at my dream school, and eventually returned to sales. These diverse experiences gave me a wealth of knowledge and clarity about my true passion—makeup.
However, just as I was ready to fully immerse myself in the makeup industry, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and I found myself at home, jobless. It felt like yet another roadblock, but that’s when a long-forgotten dream resurfaced—the desire to create and share my passion for makeup online. For years, I had pushed aside the idea of becoming a content creator, convincing myself it wasn’t realistic. But with the world in lockdown and jobs shifting, I realized this might be my chance.
Starting out was tough. I began from scratch, sharing my makeup journey with zero income and no guarantee of success. There were many moments when I thought about giving up, but just as I was ready to walk away, things started to fall into place. My content gained traction, and I began to build a community.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There were a LOT. From having no founds, no contacts and no professional education in makeup, to even myself and lack of confidence of what I was doing with my life, lol. A mix of outside and inside/factors but everything was worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Professional K-Beauty Makeup Designer. I specialize in teaching how to adapt Korean and Asian makeup techniques to suit Latin features, which I believe is quite unique. I run my own online makeup school and have helped thousands of people worldwide feel confident in their own skin, regardless of their features, budget, preferences, or personality. We use makeup—K-beauty in particular—as a tool to enhance our natural beauty. We redefine beauty standards through authenticity and bridge cultures through makeup.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success is a combination of many things. First and foremost, it’s about using the unique gifts God has given me to make a positive impact on others. In my case, it’s helping people feel loved, cared for, and confident in their own skin.
I used to think success was about having enough money to do more than just pay the bills—like traveling and enjoying life’s luxuries. While that’s not entirely wrong, my definition has evolved. Now, success means feeling free, having time, enjoying what I have with the people I care about, sharing, loving, and being loved in return.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mykbeautybible.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mykbeautybible
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mykbeautybible
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mykbeautybible
