Today we’d like to introduce you to Yrcanis Collado
Hi Yrcanis, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was 23 and working in broadcasting at the time, which is completely creative in it’s own right. However, when I walked by a makeup school in the downtown of my hometown, it lite me up like a lightbulb of purpose and hit like a lightening bolt of excitement. I said to myself, “This makes sense!” And I looked into the Beauty, Airbrush and Hairstyling classes and attended the school a couple of months later and finished with my Certification. I’ve been hooked ever since till the point where I decided to pursue it seriously by moving to Los Angeles and continuing my studies at Cinema Makeup School learning Character, Prosthetic and SFX makeup. Moving to LA was 8 years ago and has been 14 years since the beginning and I’m still in love with makeup.
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?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all. There is always a constant struggle of security and chasing passions. Balancing the 2 has been the hardest as you need to have consistent work to pay the bills, but leave room to be booked for those makeup gigs. Sometimes the one gets in the way of the other. Then you find yourself working 6-7 days a week and not taking care of yourself. It is very important to be focused and consistent with your career…but taking care of your health is always number one.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Beauty and Special Effects Makeup Artist. Which means I can make you look more beautiful or just ugly… or of a different species. I’m trained in make/do prosthetics, airbrush, facepaint, character, bridal, editorial, hairstyling and beauty. I’ve worked on sets for fitness shoots, student films, horror films and bridal work. I love making people feel like a more beautiful version of themselves and I typically work in beauty the most. Halloween time is the best time to flex my SFX skills.
I’m most proud of my versatility. Not everyone who can do beauty, can do sfx and vise versa. Not every makeup artist can also hairstyling. Not every facepainter can do bridal.
I believe this all sets me apart from others.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I’m still growing in my field, however, it was not easy this whole time. I have gotten diagnose with an autoimmune disease in 2023 and I thought I will have to stop doing makeup as it was painful to lift all my kits and it broke my heart. I focused on healing myself, let go of the extra jobs and took care of myself. I began doing more makeup and hair, realizing I don’t want to stop doing this. I learned I want to keep doing this until I physically can’t anymore. I love painting faces and connecting with the beautiful people in my chair.
I want the world to know it’s ok to slow down and take care of yourself, but be consistent and focus on what you love and do it until you physically can’t.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @yrcanismua
