We recently connected with Virginia Graciano and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Virginia, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I realized I wanted to take up makeup professionally my junior year of college. I know what you all are thinking why did I realize so late? Honestly this was the perfect timing in my opinion. I was majoring in Criminal Justice at the time and during my studies I couldn’t visualize myself within that field like I used to. As time progressed I began to experience anxiety attacks during lectures. Thankfully with the help of counseling I was able to understand what was triggering these attacks, I wasn’t happy about where I saw my future going. The only thing that made me feel at peace was makeup. I had always saw makeup as my safe space from a very young age. I started applying makeup at the age of 12 and from then on out it was always a hobby but never thought I’d be able to make a career out of it, until then. So I began to do research as to what steps I needed to take to become professional and kept being consistent and practicing and I haven’t looked back since. Now almost 3 years later I am Certified in Makeup Artistry, currently in school to get my Esthetics license (Graduating March 28th!), I own my own business Glowed By Ginny, I’m a key Makeup Artist /Brand Ambassador for The Trophy Beauty, as well as subcontracting for Vigilante Cosmetics for Weddings and special events.

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?

Glowed By Ginny was officially established back in 2020 during quarantine. With nothing else to do and pulling all nighters basically every day, I just decided to start making videos on TikTok bored in my room. From then on out, my work got more and more consistent and here I am today a professional makeup artist who specializes in all skin tones and types as well as being able to do various styles of applications (editorial, soft glam, natural beats, etc.). I’m the type of artist that can do anything I set my mind to. As an artist I am always open to evolving and testing my skills challenge. This past year I can say I have grown within myself and my business by putting my myself in those uncomfortable positions that benefited me tenfold whether I knew it at that moment or not. Glowed By Ginny is me, this is what I am meant to do and I want to be able to express and show people that you are beautiful in each and every way inside and out.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my social media presence off of consistency. That is the key if you’re looking to build a following/clientele within this industry. I would create content and post at minimum once to twice week onto my feed but daily on my story. You have to leave your mark to your viewers consistently seeing your face/content subconsciously keeps you in their mind when needing whatever service(s) you provide.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As an artist the most rewarding thing would be the clients reaction to the beauty that I am able to bring onto the forefront. Not only physical enhancement but seeing the pure joy and confidence come out from each client not only brings me happiness but it always reassures me that I’m on the right path. The feeling and connection I am able to build with each client I wouldn’t change for the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://glowedbyginny.glossgenius.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/glowedbyginny?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ginnyfromtheeblock?_t=8aDWz5iQKok&_r=1

Image Credits
@Kapturedbyki @ewp.photos @i.vizonfotography @davonab.photography @shotbymeechh