We were lucky to catch up with Kandi Hernandez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kandi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I knew I wanted to pursue doing makeup at the 2008 VMAs I was there helping in production and seen a group of female makeup artists all arrive at one time with these silver cases. I remembered thinking wow that would be so cool to do one day. I had already loved makeup and knew I really wanted to do that. There was something about the way they were all dressed in unison and in unison makeup cases.

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 name is Kandi Hernandez, I’m been in LA for 22 years originally from Minnesota. I’m an LA based makeup artist with over 12 years experience. I’ve worked on music videos, commercials, film, beauty campaigns and more. Some clients I’ve worked with Nas, Lil Durk, Tory Lanez, J Cole, Tyla, Brittany Snow, Sevyn and many more. I provide my clients with enhancing their natural beauty to give their confidence a boost so they can do their best on screen or off screen. I started working behind a Macys counter and knew I didn’t like it it took the fun out of makeup for me so I pursued working in the entertainment field. I got my professional start by interning and working my way up to assisting with SuperDuperMaxi. Thru Maxi I learned the best work ethic and discipline. Eventually I met and started to assist Rokael Lizama (Rokael Beauty) where I really learned about beauty, beauty structure and his hard work and drive.. I credit these people for everything I know and for them I’ll always be grateful. I like to think that what sets me apart from others is my drive, knowledge and ability to take on any challenge given to me. Making others look and feel their best has always been something I take pride in. I love makeup and to me it will never feel like work it’s what makes me happy to love what you do. It’s a blessing to be able to do what you love. I’m most proud at how far I’ve come and feel I still have much to learn and strive for. I will always provide the best for all my clients!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In the beginning stages of my career it was so hard to get paid work consistently. I had to constantly worry about how I was going to pay my bills I always thought about I should just quit so many times. I did side jobs to make do and eventually little by little I did less and less side jobs and work started being more consistent because I didn’t give up. I just kept going on every call cause I knew it was what I wanted to do. Countless times I was gonna give up cause I was so broke it was very hard. But something always pushed me to just do it whether it was a paid opportunity or not.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Ultimately I feel it’s every makeup artists dream to do a major magazine cover. That is one of my biggest dream jobs. Especially Vogue! I’d love to do Vogue cover someday. But honestly I’d be happy to be apart of any major publication. I hope to one day work with a major makeup brand. I’d love to be apart of their campaigns one day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/makeupbykandirose
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/makeupbykandirose
• TikTok: @muakandirose