We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Paulina Lillian Serrano Elizabeth “April” Meza a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Paulina Lillian Serrano thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
By far, the most meaningful project we did was in 2020 when we were able to work with such a talented group of other creatives….. and that is… drum roll…. The project we did with the talented Annie Gonzalez (Actress). We were asked to join this project as the hair and makeup team by our good friend and Sustainable Wardrobe Stylist, Desirae Ramirez. Also on the team, Photographer Laarne Palec, Videographer Ricardo Ramirez, Nail Artist Lizbeth Vee Nails, and Florists Lolos Creations.
This was not the first time we worked with Annie Gonzalez. We had a chance to style her hair and makeup a previous time, where we were able to get creative with her look and just freely do what we love. When Desirae asked us to join this project we knew we were all in!
We pulled together a beautiful hair and makeup look that we felt showcased all of our skills in one shoot.
This was the project that really showed us what we were capable of, not just outside of the wedding world, but as Artists, Mothers, Women, and Healers. Once we styled her hair and makeup we headed back to our homes to check in with our families. Paulina went home to nurse her baby and April, mother of 4, prepped a meal for her family. And off we went to LA Fashion District in a Studio. Once we stepped in the studio, it was nothing but high vibes and quick outfit changes, and hair and makeup touch ups.
All the looks were representative of what it means to be a woman and fully embody all the complexities that it comes with – owning your strengths, vulnerabilities, beauty (inner/outer), mind, spirit, and soul. And to add to it, being a woman of color. Showing up as ourselves and leaning into one another was a part of the lesson in this project. We learned so much about ourselves and have the images to remind us.
You will have to take a look at the amazing shots taken from this shoot to see what we are talking about.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Together, we are an on-location hair and makeup duo that services not only the wedding industry, but editorial and special projects.
April: I first decided to start my own business to be able to provide for my family, create my own schedule, and do what I love. I wanted to be able to spend time with my children and raise them in a home that valued time, love, and creativity. Now that my children are growing older the values remain the same, however, now my experience in my business working with women has expanded my “why.” I want to be able to reach women on a larger scale. I believe that women should all support one another and I do that in my everyday life. Each conversation with my client has validated this belief. We are all just wanting to be our own definition of success and with support we can all reach that.
Paulina: I was looking for an outlet to be creative and have something to build upon. I was searching for a way to be my own boss and watch myself grow. I had always wanted to be an artist, but never thought of makeup until I met April. When I came on board to the business, I had no idea that my “why” would evolve into what it is now. I am now building a family with my husband and am now looking to show my daughter what it means to follow your heart and soul purpose. I want to show my daughters and other women that you have to do what lights you up in life.
Individually, we have put in time, hard work, patience, and love into our craft. One of the biggest lessons as a hairstylist/makeup artist is learning how to fix mistakes. Like how to remove unwanted mascara on the lid or smoothing out flyaways. The little things that can frustrate artists or discourage them from moving forward in the industry are things we have encountered and were able to problem-solve and learn techniques to level ourselves up. One of the biggest advantages to being a team of 2 is having each other to support one another, to bounce ideas of of each other, and to most of all share the experience with.
What sets us part from others is who we are at our core. We see the beauty in each individual and help them see what they bring to the world. We are versatile and create every look based on our client’s vision with our expertise. We do soul work with each client and the experience they get with us is much deeper than hair and makeup.
Much of what we have learned has been to really listen to our clients. To gauge what it is that they are looking for when it comes to their hair and makeup. We have learned how to ask the right questions and how to deliver their vision. We also have learned to trust ourselves in our craft.
We have worked in the wedding industry primarily, but have expanded our growth as artists in realm of editorial. We have worked alongside the creatives that have pushed our talent to the next level.
In every project or client we work with, we bring our full attention, support, and creativity allowing them to be the best form of art.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Something that drives the both of us is what we get out of every client experience…. The feeling that what we are doing is more than just hair and makeup. We are literally impacting people’s lives. The conversations we have with our clients is indescribable at times. There is so much magic that happens when a client sits in our chair; healing can occur. We really value the trust that our clients place in us, because we are literally physically touching their face and hair. We get to learn so much from the people that we meet and it’s fun to leave a booking and be able to share our experience with one another.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding part is that mirror reveal. When you have had this whole experience with the client and now you get to show them what you have created in that time they spent in their chair. We love to see the energy shift and for them to ease their anxiousness of how they are going to look. Extra fun when it is a wedding and everyone around them is complimenting them and supporting one another. We are bringing their inner beauty to the forefront and allowing them to embody their own light.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @lehairshack
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/le-hair-shack-monrovia?osq=le+hair+shack
Image Credits
Image credits: Little Brown Suitcase (Rebecca), Laarne.Co, MagickDesignX (Ariel Whiteman)