We were lucky to catch up with Karen Santiago recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Karen , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Naming a business is no joke—it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done! It’s like naming your baby, except instead of lasting a lifetime, it has to capture your entire vision in just a few words. No pressure, right?

When I started brainstorming, I knew I wanted a name that felt warm, timeless, and true to what I love most about this work. I kept coming back to one word: glamorous. To me, glamour isn’t about being over-the-top or unattainable. It’s about that magical moment when someone looks in the mirror and feels beautiful. It’s confidence, elegance, and joy all rolled into one.

The word faces came naturally after that. Every face I work with is so unique, and my job is to celebrate that individuality. I didn’t want anything too flashy or complicated—just something that spoke to what I love most: enhancing natural beauty and making people feel like the best version of themselves. And that means everyone—I want every person, no matter their background, gender, or identity, to feel seen, heard, and beautiful in their own way.

As my business grows, I’ve realized I want to offer a full beauty experience, so I’m expanding to include hairstylists as well. The name “Glamorous Faces” still feels perfect because it captures the essence of bringing radiance not just to makeup, but to hair too. Whether it’s soft waves, an elegant updo, or a sleek, modern style, I want every client to leave feeling like their most glamorous self, from head to toe. And because I’m always looking to improve and offer the best service, I’m personally learning hairstyling too, so I can bring even more to the table for my clients.

Now, every time I say the name, it reminds me why I started this business in the first place. I want every bride, every client, to feel radiant and confident—not like they’re wearing a mask, but like they’re glowing from the inside out. Glamorous Faces is about more than just makeup and hair. It’s about connection, trust, and making someone’s day just a little more magical. It’s about celebrating the beauty in every face and every hairstyle, and embracing each individual’s unique story. Every time I see a bride’s or clients face light up when they see their reflection, I know I made the right choice.

Karen , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Karen Santiago—a mom, wife, sister, friend, and confidant—and the proud owner of Glamorous Faces, where I specialize in soft, timeless bridal and special event makeup. My journey to this point wasn’t exactly traditional. I spent 12 years as a Police Officer in New York City, but after an on-the-job injury forced me to retire, I found myself at a crossroads. What felt like a setback at the time turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

With this new chapter, I decided to take my passion for makeup—a new found hobby I loved—and turn it into a full-time career. When my family and I relocated to Austin in 2023, I brought that passion with me and started Glamorous Faces.

At Glamorous Faces, I offer a personalized, luxury beauty experience. My style is all about soft glam that enhances your natural beauty, making you feel radiant, confident, and timeless. Whether it’s your wedding day or a special event, I’m here to take the stress out of your beauty routine and create a look that’s perfectly tailored to you.

I’m also putting together a team of talented hairstylists to join my Glamorous Faces family. Together, we’ll provide a full-service beauty experience, from flawless makeup to gorgeous, picture-perfect hair. Whether you need a chic updo, soft waves, or a sleek style, we’ve got you covered, ensuring you look and feel amazing from head to toe. And, as part of my commitment to offering the best service, I’m also learning hairstyling myself, so I can bring even more to the table for my clients.

What sets me apart is my ability to connect with my clients on a deeper level. My years in law enforcement taught me the importance of trust, patience, and staying calm under pressure. I bring that same approach to every bride I work with. You can count on me and my team to keep things smooth, relaxed, and focused on you—because I’m not just your makeup artist; I’m your sister, friend, and confidant.

What I love most about this work is seeing a bride’s face light up when she looks in the mirror. That moment of joy and confidence is why I do what I do. It’s not just about makeup and hair—it’s about creating a memorable experience and making you feel like the best version of yourself on one of the most important days of your life.

So, if you’re a bride-to-be or planning a special event in the Greater Central Austin area, I’d love to be part of your story. Let’s create something beautiful together!

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

The truth is, I’m no stranger to pivoting. My journey into makeup began after an unexpected career change. I was a police officer in New York for 12 years, and in 2014, my life took a turn when I got injured on the job. While chasing a burglar, I fell off a two-story building and tore my ACL and MCL. Thankfully, it wasn’t worse, but even after reconstruction surgery, I wasn’t able to heal properly. In 2016, I had to make the tough decision to retire prematurely. It was devastating to have my career cut short so suddenly.

I didn’t know what else to turn to at first. I felt bummed out and lost, trying to figure out my next move. That’s when I turned to makeup. It was something I enjoyed at the time and, surprisingly, it fulfilled me in a way I hadn’t expected. Like being a police officer, makeup allowed me to connect with people, help them feel confident, and make a difference in their lives. I took a leap of faith and explored the beauty industry. Little did I know it would become my new passion and purpose.

During the pandemic, I had to take a step back from my career as a professional makeup artist. I had been building momentum for years, working with incredible clients and refining my craft. But when the world shut down, so did the events, weddings, and opportunities that fueled me. At the same time, I became a mom, which was a huge shift in itself. I decided to pause and focus on my family, knowing it was a season of life that deserved my full attention. But deep down, I knew I’d return to makeup—it’s my passion and my way of connecting with people.

Fast forward to 2023, my family and I relocated to Austin, Texas. It was a fresh start in a new city, and I saw it as my chance to launch my own business with a clear vision. I leaned into my experience and started building connections in the Austin bridal scene. It felt like a leap of faith, but it’s been rewarding to see my business, Glamorous Faces, grow.

The pivots in my life weren’t easy, but they taught me resilience and how to balance my personal and professional goals. From law enforcement to makeup artistry, I’ve learned that life’s unexpected turns can lead to fulfilling new paths—if you’re willing to take the leap.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was that my worth was tied to my career title.

For 12 years, I was a police officer. It was a job that came with respect, structure, and a sense of purpose. I took pride in serving and protecting my community, and I thought that role defined me. But when I got injured chasing a burglar in 2014 and had to retire in 2016, it felt like I lost a huge part of my identity. I was suddenly without the title that I thought gave me value, and I struggled to see who I was without it.

At first, I felt aimless. I kept thinking, What now? I didn’t realize how much I had tied my self-worth to being “Officer Rodriguez.” That mindset held me back from seeing the possibilities in front of me. But when I started exploring makeup, something shifted. I realized that my value didn’t come from a title—it came from the impact I had on others. Whether I was helping someone feel safe or helping them feel beautiful, the core of who I was remained the same.

It wasn’t an easy lesson to unlearn, but it’s one I carry with me now. Titles change, life changes, but your worth is in who you are, not what you do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.glamorousfaces.online
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/_KSGlamour
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glamorousfacestx
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/QJfrf3acgX
• Other: tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@glamorous.faces

Image Credits

@KKirbyphotography
Personal photo of me looking at my makeup kit

@ashlynsmithphotography
first three professional pictures of the wedding with bride in Red lipstick

@courtneyagaryphotography
Last two professional pictures