Special Feelings and Fake Sisters...

So last week was one of the most special days in my 29 years... my "sister/cousin/bff" got married!!! 

I am an only child who grew up with a great big sister who lived in another house with my second parents (haha!)... My parents and my second parents were neighbors before I was born... let me explain further... Latin people have a lot of "fake" family (everyone is a cousin)... My parents saw little baby Alissa living next door and felt an instant attraction to her, her parents, and to the idea of having a baby... so they had me!!! (Yay!) Our two families became family almost instantly, going on Disney trips and great big epic vacations... 

(Our Parents)

we also kinda look alike, which is great for when we get asked if we are sisters... it's an easy "yes"! 

(I also did her makeup for her Bridal Shower)

She originally told me she did not want me to do her makeup on her wedding day because she didn't want me to feel forced to work... even though deep inside I wanted to... but being the supportive Matron of Honor, I nodded and smiled (Whatever the bride wanted!)... but then she asked me to go to her makeup trial appointment in Savannah, GA (destination wedding)... she was nervous and not sure if she liked it... I nodded and smiled and wanted her to make her own decision... LUCKY ME! She didn't like!!! LOL! So with great honor and pride and a very slow, careful hand, I did her makeup.

(The Big Day)

  

She looked AMAZING, (not to toot my horn!)... She seemed really happy with it, and that's all that mattered... I really want to share a picture of her look that day, but with our regular cameras there is not a single good close-up shot of her... so I guess we'll have to wait for the photographers pics.

In the meantime here's a few shots of her and my makeup on the big day... I really need a better camera!

(The Bride & Groom)

(Me and My Boy)

      Imagine Better Cameras and Happy Sisters- Alexis

I'm Done... in a good way!

So here's a blog post... finally! At least I didn't reach the year mark since my last post! :) 

Like the title states: I'm done...  On June 17, 2012 I enrolled at Beauty Schools of America. I did this because of my extreme and utter lack of confidence in the makeup industry. As much as I loved it, practiced it, and may have been good at it... I had zero self-confidence. People would ask me to do their makeup for weddings and parties and my excuse was always, "I'm not a professional, I wouldn't know what to do if I mess up." I felt I needed to become a pro by learning, in person, from a pro... so I went to school.

I had just finished teaching 4th graders, a regular school year, and was about to start summer school/camp when I had an epiphany... Why am I doing something that I am not 100% passionate about? I love, love, love working with children but I didn't (don't) necessarily like the direction the public school system is headed and the freedom that private schools have. It just all of a sudden "wasn't me". I wasn't doing anything artistic and didn't have the freedom to try. If you know me, you know I've bounced around for years with theatre and makeup (my 2 true passions)... why wasn't I free?

Then... I did it! I worked from 8-4, teaching, Mon.-Fri. and went to school 5-10 Mon.-Sat... do the math... I had no life for 10 months. I learned EVERYTHING there is to know about skincare and facials (which wasn't part of the dream, but mandatory for makeup... and guess what? It turns out my theatre and makeup background was all I needed to be a makeup artist!!! It was in these 10 months that I learned the greatest lesson- Self Confidence! (Maybe not in all aspects of my life, but definitely as a makeup artist!) 

Of course I'm not a know-it-all... thank you to my makeup teacher Jackie Jorge (wish I knew how to link you to her)... she saw my talent day one and worked on my self-esteem above all, while teaching me knew tips and tricks! 

In the end... I am done! I am done with school, I am done with being scared, I am done not doing for me... I will be a licensed esthetician and am already a "Pro" Makeup Artist and I can't wait to share this adventure with you! 

Imagine Being Done in a Good Way- Alexis

Here's a handful of the things I did in school! Enjoy! xo