Today we’d like to introduce you to Saray Barbosa.
Hi Saray, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey to the beauty industry started when I was a teenager when I would visit my sister when she worked as a manager for the Beauty department at Barney’s. I would go visit her and be impressed with all the makeup assortments. There I be friended some artists who would then teach me the art of makeup which I would then mimic on my friends. Fast forward to my mid 20’s while working in the fashion industry in NYC, I dated a photographer who at one of his shoot needed a face mask painted on his model, I volunteered, and voila! A gorgeous mask was created. That moment sparked my love for the arts. That year I took to make up, went to several makeup classes at Makeup forever, chic Studios, looked to test with a plethora of photographers, and was involved in every event for makeup I could find, This lead me to meet some amazing models, photographers thus my tenacity led me to be a Key makeup artist for Sarah Nouri, Latino Expo, Couture Fashion Week, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, work on the look books for Catherine Malandrino, Vivienne Tam, work on an campaign for Aid with the First ladies of Africa at the UN & Amazon, worked on personal branding with top CO’s throughout the city with Peek Photography, create looks for artists, and meet a ton of artists along the way.
Life took me out of NYC to Miami where I’ve worked as a Regional MUA for Estee Lauder, assisted at Miami Swim Week, Fashion Night on Brickell, campaigns for Polaroid, All Saints, Aura Entertainment, personal branding for top realtors across Miami, and Orlando, partnered with the Star Movement, Glitter Glam Studios, Danny Steins Studios, C&I Studios. Miami made me fall in love with Bridal on a one-on-one basis, working with Brides all the way from the Keys, to Boca, Palm Beach, and Miami Beach, along with introducing me to the world of Pageantry.
Currently, I reside in Orlando where my love for the arts has taken me to be more involve in the Pageantry world, working with Miss Florida USA, NAM, POA, Cosmos, Miss Supra Nationals, MAC Pageants, and plenty more systems, assist some renown artists, continue to work in Personal Branding projects with Top Realtors, Politicians, Executive Members of top companies like Colgate and Credit Karma.
This journey has been incredible, my work has been featured in Bridal Fantasy, Martha Stewart Weddings, Unveiled weddings. I was fortune enough to have been featured in InStyle Magazine to talk about summer trends. Have been blessed to work on TV sets such as 4 Days to Save the World, Caribbean Cookout Show.
In between my move to Orlando, I took a 2-year hiatus on the beauty industry. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and needed a mental break from it all. This industry is amazing yet demanding. During this hiatus, I took up Finances, the art of networking, and a much-needed personal development courses. I thought I was all done with the beauty industry and was contemplating to switch careers. However, it wasn’t fulfilling as I had hoped for. I took everything I learned and decided to finally make a dream of having a team of artist a reality and L’Artiste Collective was created. We just made a year, how exciting!!! I have a ton of plans and goals with the company, along with taking my personal artistry brand to the higher heights.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t believe in ‘smooth roads’ since every adversity is an opportunity for growth. During this journey, I’ve had to revamp in three different cities, which entails all sorts of challenges as acquiring new clientele, caliber of work, pricing, branding, mindset, they have all required a different hustle. It was either to grow or be overcome by them.
Moving from NYC to Miami was the hardest adjustment. I came with the expectations of rate and caliber of work from NYC, which was hindering my growth and provided limited opportunities since I was not open to just doing the work. Within 2 months of moving, I hit the grown running. Once I understood Miami is the capital of weddings my mind needed to shift to that ‘type’ of work then figure out how to price myself accordingly with the market (that was a humbling moment). I was able to have my name in vendors list at prominent hotels in the Boca & Palm Beach areas, work in top hotels in coral gables, and Miami beach. In the meantime, I took up a position with the Estee Lauder brands as Regional Artist followed by an executive position as a Business Manager for one of their Million dollar accounts.
When I decided to move to Orlando to be closer to my family, the transition wasn’t as challenging, however, after my last role I decided to take a hiatus from the beauty world. I was exhausted, annoyed, overwhelmed, and a much-needed mental break from it all. In addition, I was a bit lost, I liked the beauty world, however, I wasn’t sure on the direction I was headed or where I wanted to go. During these 2 years, I took up other courses like Finances, the art of networking, and a much-needed personal development courses. I thought I was done with the beauty world.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have my personal artistry business and I am the CEO of L’Artiste Collective, an on-location hair, and makeup artists for any occasion.
I love the creative freedom makeup allows and I flourishes because of the special attention to detail I provide, warm personality, along with my unique experiences. I am amazed by the people I meet, the connections I am able to create, and the work we can bring forth.
What sets me apart is my giving and friendly personality. Clients know and seek me for the natural look I create, my specialty is a luminous skin.
To be able to separate a proud moment is next to impossible, I am enthralled by where I’ve been and excited as to where I am headed. However, if you need one, it would be when I was approached to be the Key hair and makeup for Sareh Nouri during NYC Bridal Fashion Week, this was my first time as a key artist where I needed to hire the right hair and makeup artists for the show. I was on cloud 9!
SBA and L’Artiste Collective are all about the experience followed by the skills we have to create a personalize look that fits you and your features. Offering hair and makeup looks for any and all events in your life. My mission is to be a part of your life as your own personal hair and makeup artist/ squad.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
This is such an important topic and shouldn’t be looked at lightly. My advice is to be constantly networking, whether it be with other artist, events that place you in front of clients, yet the most important one is to network with other professionals.
Understand networking is about creating a ‘friendship’ first, get to know the person, have an honest interest, and try not to lead with the ‘job’ in mind. I wish I learned that much quicker.
I no longer feel the need to reach out to someone just to work with them, I want to know about them, what makes them tic, what sets them apart, would their work aesthetic and ethics match mine. How could we both benefit from each other is the first question I make myself before reaching out to anyone. Also, don’t be scare to reach out, the worse thing is a No, yet the most incredible and surprising thing you’ll receive would be YES!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.saraybarbosartistry.com/
- Instagram: instagram.com/SarayBarbosa_Artistry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarayBarbosaArtistry
- Other: https://www.lartistecollective.com/
Image Credits
Glitter Glam Studios
Holly Caputo
Soul Echo Studios
Amado Claro Photos
Sheldon Walker
Brianna Kim Photography
Peek Photography
