Today we’d like to introduce you to Aileen Ventura.
Hi Aileen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Originally, I went to school for production design because I wanted to bring stories to life. However, I wasn’t feeling fulfilled or passionate about the building and stage design aspect. I was feeling stuck in my path and it wasn’t until 2019 that my friend made something in my brain click. We were discussing our favorite parts of a house we had just walked through at Halloween Horror Nights and I mentioned how cool it must be to do the makeup for them or make the masks. My friend told me to look into it because clearly someone’s job is to do just that, and if they can do it so could I. This realization made me research more about different careers in makeup and props and I learned about the Vocational Academy of Makeup and Prosthetics that was right here in Orlando. I completed their Modern Effects Artistry program in 2021 and returned for their Beauty Professional Makeup Artistry program in 2024. This combination of training has allowed me to do makeup for the very event that inspired me and I’m able to work any traditional beauty gigs that had previously intimidated me. I’m now at a place where I’m confident in my abilities to perform any job so that I can keep learning and growing!
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?
The hardest part was pushing myself out of my comfort zone and getting out of my head. Once I began putting myself out there more and not letting the imposter syndrome take over me, the road got much smoother and brighter. I was creating so much fear over sharing my work that it eventually led me to fully stop working on my projects. It’s silly and I’m still not sure how I let it get that bad but I’m glad I was able to get out of my head. The road has been much kinder since and I’ve had many opportunities to meet and work with amazing artists who inspire and encourage me!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a special effects and beauty makeup artist. This past year I’ve taken on more beauty work but I plan to further expand my special effects portfolio this upcoming year. I have ideas for some sculpts I’d like to do in 2025 and I want to apply more prosthetics.
Most of my experience has been doing airbrush makeup for various events but I love doing a fun glam or editorial look!
I’m definitely most proud of myself after a final beauty look reveal. There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing I took my client’s vision and exceeded their expectations! I love watching their reactions and seeing them become super confident for whatever their day brings.
As for what sets me apart from others, I think I bring an eagerness to learn in any environment. My brain is a sponge that loves to soak in information across different fields and mediums. You will never see me say no when asked to try something out, I’m always determined to try as many different looks and techniques as possible so that I can apply it elsewhere. That being said, I also love to incorporate different ideas into a project! Whether it be mixing beauty with gore or combining soft yet sultry elements for someone’s date night, I’m always happy to play around with options to create the best look.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love that there’s many avenues for opportunities here. You could do makeup or help create something for an attraction one day, work a special event the next, and a photo shoot the day after if you really wanted to. That being said, I do wish there were more opportunities to do makeup for film, television, and theatre spaces!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aileen.fxmua/
Image Credits
Ann Duvoisin
