Meet Angelique Cecchetti | Makeup Artist & Beauty Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Angelique Cecchetti and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Angelique, why did you pursue a creative career?
I guess I never really asked myself this question. But I feel like I’ve always been attracted by everything about glam and beauty. I remember stealing my mom’s red lipstick when I was only 5 years old and hide it in my backpack to apply it at school. Then, my mom had to deal with teachers telling her that “makeup was not allowed at school”, but that was the way I wanted to be; always wearing makeup, getting my hair done by my mom for a regular school day, and the older I became, the worst it turned. I was really into fashion, modeling, makeup… As a teenager, makeup was always my number 1 priority on my “need it list”. When I was 12 years old that I started to wear daily makeup. I realized it was something that I liked to do naturally. I practiced on my older sister and my mom…and the funny story is that neither my sister nor my mother are into makeup or fashion, so I can’t say where this is coming from. This is the way I learned, simply looking at magazines, finding makeup inspirations/look from models.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
After High School, it was time for me to decide what College to go to, what major to choose. I really wanted go to a makeup school…but my parents though it was not serious enough. I ended up going to College and studying Business Administration instead. Even though I was good at school, I always had Makeup in a corner of my head. In order to get to my point, I ended up doing an internship at Sephora. After I graduated from College, Sephora offered me a FT job…as a Makeup Artist. I was working in one of the biggest Sephora in France, and I got trained by the “crème de la crème” in the industry (DIOR , ARMANI, YSL, GUERLAIN, NARS…). One can say that I learned in the field, not in school, but at the end of the day that was the best school ever. After 5 years with Sephora, I got offered a job for MAC Cosmetics, as a GM, in Cannes, France. With that experience, I was able to use the skills that I learned from College AND what I learned from Sephora. Then I decided to get my esthetician license in order to become an independent Makeup Artist. I specialized in Beauty makeup. I worked events along the French Riviera (Cannes Film Festival, Monaco Grand Prix, Weddings, Private events, Makeup lessons, Photo shoots…) Six years ago, I decided to leave my hometown to come to Miami. My husband and I sold everything that we had (house, car, furniture…), left our family and friends to pursue “the American Dream”. It was more complicated than I expected. No more job contact, no clients…I had to start over, in a different country, with a different culture, speaking a new language. But the open book that I was going to write was an exciting challenge. I decided to contact a few hair salons in Miami. The first one that contacted me back was IGK salon. This is the way it all started for me, here, doing makeup on clients and models. Now, I built my Instagram portfolio, I have my regular clients and do what I like to do where I love to live ! Deep inside me, I always knew I would do makeup in my life but never thought that I would do this for a living. Now I am proud to say that it was worth it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The first place where I would bring my best friend is Mañolo. It is a very casual and simple place, located in North Beach. I would go early in the morning, to eat some of their fresh “fatturas” (such as croissant, or churros filled with Dulce de Leche, a tradition for this Argentinian restaurant). And eating croissants in the morning remind me of France. Then I would spend the day at the beach, doing nothing, just chilling. To me, the most beautiful beach is located at the very end of Key Biscayne, nearby the lighthouse. I would visit the lighthouse with my friend. We would climb all the stairs, and when we would get to the top of the lighthouse…you have the best view in Florida. It is simply breath taking. Then on the way back, I would stop to take pictures of the iguanas, racoons, and other local animals. This place is so wild and unique. I would continue this day at the Standard Hotel, located on Dilido Island, Miami Beach. Maybe enjoy the Spa for a nice massage. Then I would have a drink with my friend, on the water. Their bar is one of the best Bar by the water in Miami. If we are lucky, we could see some manatees or dolphins in the intracoastal while drinking our Martinis. Here too, I would take advantage of this marvelous spot, to take some picture. This hotel is so unique, the architecture is outstanding. For dinner, I would bring my friend to a Neapolitan Pizzeria located in South of Fifth: Fratelli La Buffalla. Their pizza are authentic and soooo good! This is what I would do with my friend. I like both simple and fancy things. I believe Miami has both to offer.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Not easy to pick only one but I will definitely thank Carrie Zack Events (insta : @carriezackevents ). She is the first Event Planner who believed in me and my work when I came to Miami…and she still does. Every time I meet and work with one of her Brides, I have the most magical day. I’m always impressed with her work and her taste. She has the best team and she always give me good advises for my career.

Website: angeliquececchetti.myportfolio.com
Instagram: @makeupangelique