Today we’d like to introduce you to Edna Cedano.
Hi Edna, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My love for beauty began at a young age. However, it really blossomed between the ages of 14- 17, when I started playing with makeup, doing my hair and nails, and at times, for family and friends. A few months before turning 18 years old, I attended Namor Modeling Academy by Maria Roman. At the end of the course, we had a photo shoot in which we had to do our own hair and makeup. So, for my makeup look, I did a smoky cat-eye with a bold red lip. This is when I realized that I loved and truly enjoyed doing makeup.
A few months after graduating from Namor Modeling Academy, I enrolled in John Casablanca’s Modeling School where I met a fashion designer who was the runway instructor, at that time. When we did our first runway evaluations, he loved my walk and invited me to model for his fashion show that was coming up. And I of course said yes! Since it was my first fashion show, I wasn’t sure what to expect. So, I decided to bring my makeup, just in case I was going to need to do my own makeup. As time was running close to the start of the show and I still had not had my makeup done by one of the makeup artists, I decided to start doing my own makeup. Models that would see me doing my makeup, would ask me to help them do their makeup. Before I knew it, people backstage thought I was one of the makeup artists for the fashion show!
Shortly after, one of the photographers that attended the fashion show contacted me because he was building a team of models, hair/makeup artists, assistants, etc., and wanted me to join. Initially, I didn’t join the team as a makeup artist but in one of the photoshoots he was planning, he was having a hard time finding a makeup artist, so I offered to do the makeup and he said yes! I was super excited but also nervous because that was going to be my first official makeup gig! Thankfully the photographer loved how the makeup turned out and he started to have me do makeup for more of his shoots. Little by little, the more I did makeup, the better I got and the more confidence I began to have in myself. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect! So, I continued to work on my craft. I took makeup courses where I learned new techniques. I would also work and collaborate with other creatives and professionals in the industry. All of which helped me grow into the makeup artist that I am today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I started officially doing makeup in 2014 and I would say my biggest setback or struggle has been balancing family life with professional life. In 2017, I married my husband and got pregnant shortly after. At that time, I decided to slow down because I didn’t want to put too much stress on my body and wanted to give myself time to adjust to becoming a wife and mother. Then, 9 months after having our son, I got pregnant with our daughter and had her in mid-2019. It definitely has been a challenge to juggle professional and personal life but thankfully I have my husband’s and family’s support which has allowed me to continue doing what I love.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Beauty & bridal glam is what I cater to. I love full glam makeup that doesn’t look or feel like a ton of makeup and is long-lasting. My goal for my clients is to truly enhance their natural beauty. What I am most proud of is sticking to what I know I am good at. The beauty industry can be overwhelming at times because of all the “competition,” and it can feel like you need to do everything and know everything in order for people to recognize you, but I’ve learned that there is room for everyone. Whenever I have clients that want to book with me and request looks that I do not specialize in, I will kindly refer them to other artists that I know will do a much better job with their specific requests. The key is to figure out what your strengths are and focus on making that your specialty and you will attract the clientele that is meant for you.
What are your plans for the future?
In the near future, I hope to open my own makeup studio. I plan to continue learning and educating myself so I can provide the best service to my clients!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @emcbeautie
- Facebook: @emcbeautie
