We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shelby Juan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shelby below.

Alright, Shelby thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Ever since a little girl I always knew I wanted to do something creative with my life. Growing up I was surrounded by pretty artistic parents, I remember I used to watch my dad draw his work displays (he used to work for Coca-Cola and he was in charge of sketching the holiday displays and building them) and I’d be so amazed at how he would bring them to life every time. My mom has also always been a D-I-Y girl and I’ve always admired that! It was almost inevitable that I’d be a creative myself.
Creative writing was the first creative thing I fell in love with as a child! I used to write short stories for fun in elementary and sometimes even read my stories to my class. By the time I was graduating middle school I was so certain I wanted to be an author when I grew up that I even started trying to write books and I fell in love with poetry. From the ages of 11-19 I non stop wrote poems. Somewhere along of being 14 years old though as every teenage girl, I was introduced to makeup and I was immediately mesmerized.
Once I finally had permission from my parents to do my own makeup I don’t think I’ve ever looked back. From the moment I was able to start playing with eyeshadow I would not leave my chair or YouTube until I was complacent with how my makeup looked. Practicing eyeshadow looks was so much trial and error, sometimes I would take it off and restart so much that my face would feel on fire from how many makeup remover wipes I was using but I was so persistent on getting every little detail right. With time I eventually got pretty good and started doing makeup on others but I still never thought about being a full time makeup artist.
It was beginning of my senior year of high school and my school had us apply to two trade schools but I couldn’t figure out what trade school I wanted to try out.. I remember searching and searching and finally a cosmetology school popped up on my laptop and from the moment I saw this school it’s like my soul knew that this is what I was destined to do. Every thought I had about being an author went out the window when I saw how many opportunities that truly aligned to me came with being a makeup artist. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend this school right after high school but as soon as I was able to, I was there!
After attending Michael Vincent academy (the cosmetology school) my life did a slow 180. Attending this school opened so many doors for me as a MUA and I couldn’t be more grateful. I am more certain now than ever that this is what I continuously want to do. It’s an amazing feeling being able to connect art with beauty and to help boost many peoples confidence! I’m so grateful for every thing that has led to where I am now with my makeup career. I one day hope to be able to mentor anyone that needs help with their makeup artist journey and make it as special to them as it has been to me!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi my name is Shelby Juan, a 24 year old now but when this reaches everyone a 25 year old makeup artist from Los Angeles! I’ve been painting faces for about 7 years and a half. I do event makeup and professional set work makeup. Recently I have been doing a lot of natural glam but hoping to get more creative and jump on the editorial side. There are many goals I wish to accomplish but one of the most special is that as a Latina it would be a dream come true to be able to work on something with Vogue Mexico in the future! But until then it’s an endless hustle.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding feeling has to be looking at my clients reaction after getting their makeup done. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my clients burst with confidence and get so excited about it.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Very random but before I started taking makeup seriously, I had actually decided I wanted to start a baking business. My baking business was pretty successful, I used to get orders every week and I LOVED cake decorating. Now you may be asking why did I stop? I remember one day a customer that I’ve known since high school came to pick up her cake for her birthday and she had her makeup done.. I asked her if she did it herself and she responded that she went to someone else and I remember feeling my heart drop. Later than night I was honestly spiraling thinking to myself “did people forget I do makeup too? Why does no one book me to do their makeup anymore?” Thoughts were just flooding my mind for about two weeks. After those two weeks passed by, I couldn’t wait any longer and I applied to Michael Vincent Academy (the cosmetology school) and the rest has been history. I’m so glad I made the change and I’m so thankful that that specific customer came with her makeup done by someone else or I probably wouldn’t be writing this sentence right now.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Shelbysjuan

Image Credits

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