Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Lalagos.
Alyssa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Makeup has always been a passion of mine. I learned at a very young age how enjoyable the beauty industry could be. Growing up as a competitive and professional dancer, makeup went hand in hand with costuming and performance. It gave me the excuse to “play around” with different types of products. As I got older, I found myself branching out into doing makeup not only for performance but for events and weddings. My friends and family were constantly asking me to do their makeup for them, and I was more than happy to oblige. It started to become a regular occurrence, and I decided to follow my heart and instincts and take the next steps necessary to turn this passion into a full-time career. Having a business degree is a plus, however, I am fortunate enough that I have had many wonderful and helpful mentors throughout the process. I can’t thank them enough for their continuous advice and support. This industry is constantly changing. I keep myself open to learning from everyone. I’ve worked hard, and I continue to keep working hard and bettering myself every day.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The hardest part for me was taking that first step. I was working a job that I was comfortable in and made a comfortable living. However, it wasn’t fulfilling. I was given an opportunity, and I decided to run with it. It was time to do something I had thought about doing for a really long time. I was very fortunate in that I had an amazing support system around me. That definitely helped. Those first 6 months to a year were rough. I had to change my lifestyle quite a bit in order to put everything I had into my own business. But I knew, in the long run, it would be worth it all. The best feeling is when your job doesn’t feel like work. My advice would be to go for it. You only have one life. Why not make it the absolute best? And never be afraid to ask for help.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Alyssa Lynn Makeup – what should we know?
As a makeup artist, I cover quite a few different areas. A lot of my work consists of bridal, and I do weddings year round. It is such an honor for someone to ask you to be a part of one of the biggest, if not the biggest, a day of their life.
Aside from bridal, I do all other event makeup, editorial, fashion, commercial, and television. During the week, I work for NBC Sports Chicago as a makeup artist for the anchors and talent. I also just recently launched a series of makeup courses with a colleague and dear friend of mine. She is super talented, and I love being able to work along side someone who inspires me.
I love being able to make someone feel their best. I am most proud of the fact that I have such great relationships with all of my clients. I truly feel incredibly blessed that I am able to do what I love while making people happy.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
One of the first books that inspired me in this industry was Kevin Aucion’s Making Faces. He was one of the best makeup artists in the business. I believe I was 10 years old when I got it, and I just remember flipping through the pages thinking to myself how amazing it would be to have a career like his.
Instagram is probably my favorite app. I follow a lot of the celebrity makeup artists. It is perfect for inspiration as well as finding out when any master classes are available to take. It is also a great way to stay connected with other people in the industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alyssalynnmakeup.com
- Email: alyssalynnmakeup@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/alyssalynnmakeup
Image Credit:
Ron Hines, Sara Keefe, Jeremy Cheshareck, Melissa Marie Photography, Lukas Drogowski – Avant Garde, Emily Steffen, Better Together Photography, Kevin Russell – Him Over There Studios
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