We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stephanie Hernandez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stephanie below.

Stephanie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I am my toughest critic. So taking a risk was scary for me because even if I have the experience and knowledge in what I do, I always second guess myself. I suppose that’s apart of the process. Taking what essentially started out as hobby in nails and makeup and making it a full time career, was definitely a risk. Not knowing if I would be able to grow my following, my clientele, etc. not knowing if I’d be able to contribute to household bills by doing what make my soul happy. It’s a risk.
Honestly, betting on myself was the best thing I could’ve done.

Stephanie, 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 am a multipotentialite. I am a mother, a wife, an entrepreneur and philanthropist. Born and raised in Queens, NY. A self taught nail and makeup artist. As a child, art has always been an outlet for me. I can never pin point which area of the art world holds my passion because anything can become a canvas. I’ve been doing a little bit of everything for over 20 years. Taking makeup more serious for the last 7 years and nails going on 3 years. My studio is my sanctuary. There is where the magic begins and my mind wanders. LACREME Faces is my makeup brand. Although I enjoy doing glam makeup, graphic/ sfx is where my heart lays. I enjoy transforming into creepy and beautiful characters.. My favorite is transforming my clients and seeing their reactions when they look into the mirror. It’s like I’ve helped their inner child come out to play. It’s very rewarding for my soul. I cater to my clients. They always have the option of coming to me or I’ll travel to them. Either way the experience is the same.
CLAWED by LACREME is my nail brand.
My work speaks for itself. I take pride in my detailed work. I have been in the room with some amazing creatives and have been honored to be apart of the magic we have brought to life. I specialize in “couture” nails. Mainly working on editorial and branded projects. I also sell my custom nail sets to private clients. This decision came from my pest control company being effected by the lockdowns during the pandemic as most of our clients were restaurants that were forced to shut down. I kept having these visions of nail designs and thought “well if God put it in my mind, I can do it” and a nail section was added to my studio.
People doesn’t see the behind the scenes. I’ll be starting my YouTube soon. I put so many hours into my crafts. Just for a photo and the hope of some exposure. I try my best to embody every mood board or emotion of any project in my work, whether it’s an editorial or private client.
I was “discovered” via instagram in both makeup and nails. Hard work pays off and when you’re focused on your craft and carrying yourself a certain way, people take notice, even if they pretend to not see you.
I always tell my daughters, Juliana,18 and Valentina,6 that they can be whatever they want in life as long as they put the work in because nothing is free and nothing is owed to us. I made a choice to show them exactly what that means. With or without money, they see me painting and creating. I trust in the universe and my abilities. My hope is that they can brag about the mother they have, the love we share and obstacles I’ve overcome. My family is the driving force behind the way I navigate through the industry. We all have a sad story, I just refuse to allow mines to define me. I understand that what is meant for me, will be. That which is isn’t meant for me, shall be released. All while being grateful for every and any opportunity thrown my way.
People remember how you made them feel, so I show up ready with a full heart and open soul. My name gets spoken in rooms of opportunity when I am not present..I think that is a true compliment and affirmation to what I represent.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Speak their names in rooms of opportunity! Share their work, interact with their pages, even if you don’t necessarily understand what they’re doing. If you see that they are passionate and hardworking, be supportive. It’s their dream, their vision..so it’s ok if you don’t see the bigger picture for a creative. Also, give credit when it’s due. Applaud the milestones and if you’ve worked together, literally, give them their credit in right way! I literally have to stress that I am a nail artist not a manicurist! There is a difference. Yes, I can do an incredible mani but that doesn’t fuel my fire and life is too short to anything less than what makes your soul happy. I’ve had photographers credit me as a manicurist after I’ve just provided multiple creative nail sets..it makes future collaborations confused when they hit me up for a manicurist job and I have to explain that’s not the service I provide. So proper credit is a must.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I’m my happiest when making others happy. I love when a clients mood changes because they’re seeing themselves in a way they hadn’t imagined, whether it’s nails or makeup, and they love it! It’s so rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @clawedbylacreme @lacremefaces

Image Credits
Photographer @hadrielgonzalez (gold nails w/bag)