Today we’d like to introduce you to Maritsa Moore.
Hi Maritsa, 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?
I started playing in makeup at a young age but didn’t even think about taking it seriously until I was in high school. I worked for the school haunted house and was on the makeup team as they needed an extra hand. That is what kick-started my love and adoration for makeup and its ability to transform. Once I graduated, I tried looking into schools that would amplify my makeup application, but every Cosmetology school I looked into hardly offered any actual education for makeup. The lessons that they did offer also weren’t inclusive.
After deciding to save my money, I kept on my journey to teach myself, practice on my friends, and eventually, word got out and I was able to do bridal parties, events, and so much more.
Youtube videos from working professional makeup artists, free courses on sanitation, and ALL the books from world-renowned ICONIC makeup artists were what I used as my own personal “curriculum”. I worked for Sephora for 3 and a half years at one point so I could have a day-to-day job, as well as be surrounded by the one thing I loved- Beauty! My time there was beneficial as well in where I am today. Getting to connect with brand professionals, and get actual lessons in skin, hair, and makeup – especially from a chemical and deep dive standpoint gave me a lot of the product knowledge and understanding that I now share with my audience and clients on a daily.
2015 is when I started my social media journey on Instagram now 7 years later consistency, the joy of educating, and my love of everything beauty has opened so many doors for me in the world of Makeup Artistry. It is hard to maintain sometimes as life happens and the pressure to keep up with everyone, but I connect with my audience, my clients, and my peers, and it keeps me going because I get that *reminder* as to WHY I’m doing what I do.
Now I have an amazing relationship with makeup brands I used to shop and sell. I have the trust and appreciation of any client who sits in my chair, and my work has been seen on runways at New York Fashion Week, Vogue, and Essence magazine.
Being patient, persistent, and open to learning as much as I can has gotten me where I am today, and past any roadblock that wanted to pop up.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. I initially started my career when social media was utilized JUST as that, to be social. We weren’t posting to gain reach, and expand a brand. My clients always came by word of mouth in the beginning, which being freshly out of high school caused for a lot of lulls, but that gave me time to practice and learn. When social media picked up, it became a saturated field VERY quickly, and at one point I moved from South Florida to South Carolina.
Being in a new state, and having to rebuild credibility with strangers is not easy. Working at Sephora connected me to one of my dear friends, Trei Helms, who has his own Bridal Makeup Company, so in working with him, and networking with my daily clients who shopped with me, I was able to build up a bit of a local clientele.
Around that time, I was also slowly gaining a following on social media, so I was able to connect to clients that way. Then when COVID hit, and everyone/everything was shut down, no one was booking makeup artists, and makeup artists weren’t comfortable doing services.
To connect with my clients, and offer my services in what way I could all while staying financially stable I started doing virtual 1-on-1 calls, and virtual beauty masterclasses. That time period was busy, exhausting, and sometimes hard to keep track of, but it was worth every second.
Having to teach a complete stranger technique via Zoom call is a lot harder than one would think. Doing that made me a better content creator through and through.
Now living in Orlando, I’m still finding my clientele footing, but like I said “be patient, and persistent.”
After moving to Orlando, I was able to fly to New York City and work with Stila Cosmetics on the MONSE show, Pretty Little Thing X Teyana Taylor, and T.A.S O.U (the Atheltic Side of Us) for a wonderful friend of mine, T Cooper who I met at the PLT show. I did a few others while I was there, but I can’t recall the names, unfortunately – it was a crazy week.
Not only are there life obstacles and economic obstacles, I also had to deal with my mental health. The past year I have been focusing heavily on getting my Anxiety, A.D.D, and OCPD in line so they could stop raining on my parade. I love to work, but in order to do my BEST work, I have to feel good mentally and physically. There are still times when I have a mental health roadblock, and can barely get out of bed. But the support of my family, my partner, my friends, and my passion for beauty and my cleints + audience gets me out of bed every time things get tough.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve always called myself a “jack of all trades” when it comes to makeup. I can do SFX, BOLD glam, soft glam, natural day makeup, all ages, races, sexes, and gender presentations. I guess my biggest specialty is my ability to be inclusive with my clients. Shade matching may seem super easy, but while working in Sephora I got to work with some amazing people and so many women of color. Hearing their makeup horror stories broke my heart. They often times didn’t feel seen in the beauty world, and often times when I would offer my assistance I would get shooed away. Understandable. With patience, compassion, and honesty I was able to win over their trust and make them feel not only seen but also beautiful and appreciated in the world of makeup and beauty.
I also have Trichotillomania, so working with people who have Alopecia, or anyone going through chemotherapy is something I take pride in being able to do. Being able to teach them techniques I had to do when I had no eyebrows or eyelashes so THEY can also feel their best gives me so much joy.
What sets me apart from others is the fact that I have met so many different people in this world, and my end goal with every client is that they leave my chair feeling like they are beautiful, they got exactly what they wanted, and that they know they deserve to feel as good as they look. I’m a big ol’ softy, so that smile and excitement at the end of a makeup service, or comments from my audience on a tutorial telling me “This technique changed my life-” give me so much fuel to keep going.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck and good timing definitely play a key role in getting certain gigs. It’s not fully based on luck though. Being persistent in your practice, constantly aiming to get better, learning the newest technique, and investing in. your kit and self are what make you more hirable/desirable. As well as putting yourself out there to anyone and everyone. An artist you love posts that they’re looking for extra hands on their makeup team? Go for it! Rejection is a fear that I had to lose a long time ago. I know my work, I know my worth, and I know what I have to offer. I’m very confident in my work, but not cocky, and when I connect with my peers, possible makeup leads, and clients that is exactly what I make sure comes across.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeupbymaritsa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makeupbymaritsa
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPa_Th53J4AEUB0lLui94_Q
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@makeupbymaritsa
