Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lyndsey Ariel Pozo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lyndsey Ariel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Honestly, it kind of found me.

I was in college at the time, studying fashion design, marketing, and merchandising, and I had a friend who was showcasing two collections in a Latino designers fashion showcase. I had always been really into makeup – trying new products, playing with color — but just on myself, and definitely nothing professional.

She asked me if I would come to a model fitting and create one makeup look that would work for both of her collections. I remember being so surprised and telling her, “I’ve never done anyone else’s makeup before,” and she immediately said, “But you’re so great at doing your own.” That really stuck with me.

Growing up, I was always very artistic — especially with painting. I loved Monet and worked a lot with watercolors, and I was constantly creating. I painted so much as a kid that I even painted the walls in my room… and eventually the easel my mom got me to keep it contained. 😂

So I tapped back into that mindset. I thought, okay, I know how to mix colors, I know how to create — let me just approach this like painting.

I went to CVS, bought a few foundation shades to mix, grabbed some products, and just went for it. At the same time, I was thinking about how to help my friend present everything in a more elevated, professional way – so I decided to make business cards. I designed them on Microsoft Paint using clip art and printed them on glossy photo paper… which, in hindsight, were very flimsy but I thought they looked fancy at the time. 😅

At the show, I did the models’ makeup, handed out my little DIY cards, and ended up meeting a photographer who booked me for my first shoot that same weekend. From there, things just started snowballing – I began getting messages from photographers, models, and brands to collaborate.

Soon after, I was asked to create surrealist looks for a Dalí-inspired fashion show at the Dalí Museum, and then recreate those looks on NBC’s Daytime show. It all happened so quickly, but it felt like everything naturally built on itself.

That momentum eventually led me to New York City for my internship, where I continued growing as a makeup artist – working with photographers, expanding into bridal, and eventually teaching makeup as well.

Looking back, it never felt like a single “idea” – it was more like following creativity, saying yes before I felt fully ready, and letting it evolve from there.

Lyndsey Ariel, 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?

I’m a professional makeup artist and the owner of Lyndsey Ariel Makeup, where I specialize in elevated, natural and soft glam looks. I’ve been in the industry for over 15 years, and my work spans bridal, special events, film and production, as well as one-on-one makeup education through personalized lessons.

While I work with a wide range of clients, I’m especially known for my bridal work and for specializing in Asian bridal makeup. Being Asian myself, I understand the nuances in features, skin tones, and cultural traditions, which allows me to create looks that feel both authentic and beautifully tailored to each client. Especially in South Florida, where the Asian community is smaller compared to places like New York, I’m really proud to have become a trusted, go-to artist for clients seeking that level of understanding and expertise.

At the core of what I do, I’m not just providing makeup – I’m providing peace of mind. My clients know they can rely on me to be professional, punctual, and fully present. I take the time to listen, understand their vision, and guide them in a way that feels collaborative, never overwhelming.

What truly sets me apart is the experience I create. I want every client to feel like they’re sitting with someone they trust – someone who sees them, hears them, and genuinely cares. My chair is meant to feel like a calm, safe space where you can unwind, be taken care of, and walk away not just looking beautiful, but feeling confident and at ease. That’s something my clients often share with me – that they feel more relaxed, more like themselves, and more confident after our time together.

I’m also very relationship-focused in my business. I don’t see my work as a one-time service – I love being there for my clients throughout different chapters of their lives, whether it’s their engagement, wedding, maternity photos, or other meaningful milestones. That continued trust means everything to me.

What I’m most proud of, honestly, is that moment at the end of an appointment when I hand my client the mirror and they light up. There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing I played a small part in helping someone feel like the best version of themselves. That feeling never gets old, no matter how many years I’ve been doing this.

More than anything, I want people to know that I truly love what I do. This isn’t just a job for me – it’s something I’ve built with passion, intention, and care over many years. When you sit in my chair, we’re going to have a great time, and my goal will always be to make you look and feel your absolute best.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think a big part of it comes down to consistency and genuinely caring about the experience I provide.

Over the years, I’ve focused not just on the final look, but on how my clients feel throughout the entire process. Being reliable, punctual, and really listening to what someone wants goes a long way – especially in an industry where people are trusting you for important moments in their lives.

A lot of my growth has come organically through word of mouth. When someone has a great experience, they share it — with friends, family, photographers, planners – and that kind of trust builds your reputation in a very real way. I’ve been lucky to have so many clients come back to me for different milestones, and that continued relationship has been a huge part of my business.

I also think staying true to my style and what I’m known for has helped. I’ve always leaned into natural, soft glam looks that enhance rather than overpower, and over time that’s become something people specifically seek me out for. The same goes for my work in Asian bridal – being able to offer both skill and cultural understanding has allowed me to connect with clients in a deeper way.

And lastly, I’ve grown with my environment. Moving from New York to South Florida, I adapted to a different market while still staying grounded in my artistry and standards. I think that balance of consistency and adaptability has really helped shape my reputation over time.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my life happened when I moved to New York City.

I had an internship in the fashion industry that I was incredibly grateful for, but it was also extremely demanding — and unpaid. Living in New York wasn’t cheap, so during that time I was juggling multiple jobs just to make it work. I was bartending, doing brand ambassador work, taking on makeup clients, and working weddings on weekends. At one point, I had four jobs and was often working two in a single day. I even remember going through my entire birthday month without a single day off.

As much as I loved being in New York, I started to feel the pressure of trying to make everything fit into a more traditional path. I was applying and interviewing for fashion roles, but kept running into the same barrier — needing more experience to get the opportunity in the first place.

At the same time, my parents, who are immigrants, were understandably encouraging me to pursue something more stable and aligned with my degree. There was a lot of pressure to go in a more conventional direction, and for a while, I really tried to make that work.

But during all of that, my makeup artistry continued to grow — almost quietly at first, but steadily. More clients, more bookings, more opportunities. It became clear that this wasn’t just something I was doing on the side anymore.

The real turning point came during a visit from my mom. My roommate had just moved out, and I had this empty room that I always told myself I would turn into a makeup studio “one day.” During her visit, she said, “Let’s go to IKEA,” and we spent the day furnishing that room and bringing that vision to life.

That moment meant so much to me — it felt like a shift, not just in my career, but in the support and understanding from my family. It was the moment I fully committed to my artistry and chose to build something on my own terms, outside of a traditional corporate path.

Looking back, that period was exhausting, but it taught me resilience, work ethic, and how to trust myself — even when the path didn’t look the way I originally expected.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lyndseyarielmakeup.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lyndseyariel
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LyndseyArielMUA/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndseyarielcaudilla
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lyndsey-ariel-makeup-miramar-7

Image Credits

Infinity Styles Photography / Maria Hoyos
Natural Expressions NY
Ramses Garcia