Meet Lela Garcia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lela Garcia.

Lela, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
From the time I was a little girl, I was always obsessing over makeup. I remember sneaking into my mother’s bathroom and playing with her Mary Kay makeup whenever she was out of the house. When I started high school I was pretty active in the theater department, I always thought I wanted to act, but when we were taught theatrical makeup, my heart soared. I loved creating and changing a person’s appearance.

By the time I left college I knew a traditional path wasn’t for me, I wanted to increase my knowledge, but not about psychology or math. I wanted to learn everything I could about makeup. I started buying any products I could and practicing on anyone who would let me. I went to esthetic school to learn what they could teach me, but with the focus being mainly on skincare I felt sort of stuck.

I decided to post my services on Craigslist for wedding makeup, and when my friends started getting married, I offered to do all of the makeup. Finally, I feel my biggest break came from the salon where I work. BBV salon has stabilized my career, because of the team there I have grown personally and professionally.

Has it been a smooth road?
There were so many times I felt crushed by my dream. I could picture where I wanted my future, but around every corner, it felt like I could never reach the end. I’d get booked for two weddings and then nothing for months. I would practice looks and post photos, and nobody ever looked.

For a long time, I didn’t do makeup outside of my own because I knew I needed to help support my growing family and my career hadn’t started yet. It wasn’t until I was pregnant with my second child that my husband, Manuel, told me that I needed to do what I loved and at the time I had started working as a receptionist at BBV salon.

The makeup artist who was working there moved states, and after working there for almost a year, I finally felt my door open. I told my boss that I would love to work on the floor as her makeup artist, and Veronica has blessed me with so many amazing opportunities since then.

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
My main focus is formal makeup, I have worked on all types of events, weddings, celebrity galas and for the theatrical stage. I have a deep love for costume makeup and body art, and during a full costume look, I feel my most creative.

I feel that my focus on my client’s natural beauty sets me apart and helps me achieve the vision they have imagined for their event. I’m completely proud of my ability to listen to each client who sits in my chair. Over the past five years, I’ve learned that being successful in this industry comes from your ability to understand your client.

At the end of every service, I ask each client what is something they would like to change, that my feelings will never be hurt if something isn’t right for them. I personally believe that’s why I’ve blossomed so much because I’m always wanting to please the client.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
This is actually a hard question for me, my childhood was filled with so many different types of experiences. I don’t think I have one moment I look back on, I have many small moments. Every time I was able to find escape through my art or through reading I realized how much potential my imagination gave me.

Contact Info:

• Address: 7440 east 6th ave Scottsdale AZ 85251
• Website: Www.bbvsalon.com
• Phone: 4808748889
• Email: lelagarciamua@gmail.com
• Instagram: Lcg34_mua
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lela-Garcia-Makeup-788348331315828/

Image Credit:
Reagle Photograpghy LLC

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