We recently connected with Amie Peña and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Amie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My paternal Grandparents raised me. My upbringing from the silent generation allowed me to appreciate the value in what life has to offer and be intentional with my actions. My Grandmother’s boudoir was the source of inspiration for my love of makeup artistry and the ritual of “primping”. I loved to watch her get ready and her process of using makeup, makeup tools and hair products to get ready. My Grandmother also allowed me to express myself thru fashion and makeup. I was teenager in the 90’s wearing 60’s fashion and makeup on a regular basis and she encouraged me. Often times would sew 60’s era shift dresses for me.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My interest in makeup piqued while working at Saks Fifth Avenue. I worked in the visual merchandising department. This job required me to be in the cosmetic department on a daily basis. I initially wanted to pursue a career in fashion however upon seeing Bobbi Brown at a Saks appearance and watching her work, it occurred to me that makeup artistry can be a career with a fashion influence. From there, I started my makeup journey with MAC cosmetics in the year 2000. I accepted a job as a cashier because I just wanted my “foot in the door.” That was the best decision I made because that afforded me so many opportunities, i.e. attending/working New York Fashion Week for three consecutive seasons, providing makeup support for Cyndi Lauper, Mariah Carey’s background singers, Steven Tyler, and B52’s. I slowly climbed the MAC ladder and by 2005 I became a Regional Trainer for the brand thru 2019. MAC provided me the best education with makeup artistry, customer service, best business practices and lifelong friendships and connections to the beauty industry.
Currently, I’m in my 26th year of being a makeup artist and I’m still learning new techniques, exploring new makeup formulas and what is the most rewarding is collaborating with others. Our community is small but mighty in Austin, Tx and it is a privilege to work alongside some very talented and gracious individuals.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

After 19 years of service with MAC Cosmetics, I was severed from the company. I was devastated. My identity was with this brand as I grew up with the company thru my 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. I went thru a career mourning and 2020 allowed me to heal from that loss while living thru the pandemic. Thanks to many referrals, I was able to slowly but surely make professional connections which has allowed me to work in tv/film, the wedding industry, and working in tandem with photographers.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

“Pretty Good Advice” by Leslie Blodgett. Leslie was the CEO and creator of Bare Minerals.
This book features candid and entertaining insights on business, life, and beauty. This book is full of frank, actionable advice to help light a fire under you and I really needed this “don’t take yourself too seriously” insight in 2020. It’s a gem of a book!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discoamie_makeup?igsh=d2s1N3Joem56c2l1&utm_source=qr
• Other: Spotify

  https://open.spotify.com/user/discoamie?si=NU_6aQmZSCOLPHFXdB-dtA

Image Credits

Photographer- Candice Ghai
Model-Anya Djumabaev