We recently connected with Andrea Santiago and have shared our conversation below.

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

Well, I’ve always loved the idea of turning people into both unimaginable creatures or enhancing beauty that’s already there, and showcasing it on the big screen.
In middle and high school, I have always known that I wanted to do something with my talents. Being involved in Stagecraft, Television and Film Production classes, I didn’t want my knowledge to go to waste after graduating, So I decided to earned my cosmetology license shortly after and started to grow my portfolio.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into the Makeup industry because 0f how many outlets it gave me, more notably, entertainment. I’ve always wanted to be apart of something bigger and challenging, that potently would be spread internationally on the big screen. Unfortunately It’s not all Red carpets, flowers, and awards. It’s long brutal hours, and a lot, and I mean a lot, of working for free just to build a decently sized portfolio, just for a chance to be considered for a payed position. Whether its applying for a feature-length film, or a live theatrical performance. Eventually I found finding my first payed roll, I was contracted for five years with the conservatory of music and acting of cocoanut grove. Sadly this place no longer is in operation, but when I was with them we had many great Live performances, and work for me was very much so abundant, but with being new in the industry you don’t really get payed what you expect. After my five years of hard work with the company and my contract ending, I further educated myself and worked on new techniques in my craft. I dabbled in some other outlets as a freelancer, doing makeup in Boudoir and wedding photography, as well as lots of editorial work, which let me be creative in more ways then one. Later I finally found myself working on a film set though mutual friends, and after that I worked on multiple indie film. Just to name a few, “Mimic” by Typhoon Zurra Productions, “Reminiscence” by Cruzen Films, and “Fate Of Sin”, by Cruzen Films.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

All my life I have been told that I simply can’t reach my goals in life just because my dream looks to big to others, and it just looks like way to many steps, leaps, and hurdles. That I “need to have a simpler plan B to fall back on that anyone can do, like a nine to five office job”. Ugh, why settle for something that will make you unhappy for year to come, and then maybe retire with five years of life left under my belt to enjoy nothing. That makes no sense at all to me. These same people have always called me hard headed for my determination and unwillingness to give up.
I have always perceived these people as uninspired and undetermined, people just relaying a message from others that have hurt them, and that want the same for the people they say it to.
I never gave up on my passion, and I never listened to those people. I continued to educate myself and grow with my talents.
Even being where I am today, my journey isn’t done, and quite frankly it never will be.
I haven’t and never will look back to the people who tried to bring me down. People like them don’t deserve my gaze.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Creating more accepting public communities with a space meant for us to congregate, practice our craft and met like minded people. This is what creatives need in this society. It doesn’t need to be fancy, but ideally a free place to go to, that is stocked with supplies, and payed for by tax payers.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: styledbyandy_official
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088791745870
• Other: andyscare0601 on TIKTOK

Image Credits
Makeup done my Andrea Santiago (AKA, styledbyandy_official). Some images were shot by Marilyn Scavo.