Meet Liz Santana | Makeup Artist /Hair Stylist /Educator

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

Hi Liz, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
From an early age My mother new I was unique . Very strong willed , very passionate . Being born in a Caribbean country and having my roots instilled in me has played a huge role and who I am today. I went from living in Dominican republic at the age of four to moving to New Jersey and seeing it so much diversity. I was very eclectic when it came to fashion and beauty. I was always told that school was the way to go, go to school graduate go to college and for me that all sounded very stagnant it wasn’t any passion it was just repetitive. I’ve been in the world of art since I was little from dancing to performing so now rocking the beauty industry. I remember growing up and seeing color anytime I was around people, I would look at their features or their hair and I would say no this looks good with this this looks good with that you should put this type of color. I think my aunt who had been a stylist since Dominican Republic was a huge influence because I would always see clients come in and they left feeling like 1 million bucks. I truly believe that she was one of the first inspirations in my life. She would always tell me and I’m very hard to deal with because I wouldn’t take no for an answer and I didn’t like the rules but I was so loving and respectful and passionate. Remember in 2003 I’m at my best friend and her twin sister and she was going to cosmetology school I became her guinea pig. That’s when I started being curious with styling and makeup . After having two kids by the age of 25 and tired of corporate America I decided to take a leap of faith and explore the curiosity of the beauty industry. In 2010 I decided to go to cosmetology school and again school was not for me but I pursued it . A Salón owner who had been in the fashion industry for over 25 years and had taken over the bridal industry. She introduced me to a New World. I was pushed into an industry where I was uncomfortable I didn’t know the softness the beauty and I absolutely fell in love. I pursued make up and styling and it’s been an amazing journey thus far . I had always told myself beauty industry is a multi million dollar industry and I want to explore everything from it, and to top it off I got to do what I love. I have always wanted to educate and Netwerk and build relationships with people but I did not feel that I had the presence or maybe the confidence to push myself to do it. In 2020 I was introduced to Celebrity make up artist and I an educator Lina Zuniga celebrity make up artist. She mentored me and pushed me And I can’t thank her enough for that. In July 2020 I hosted my first master class and in 2021 I hosted a second class . Being able to share my story is something that I wanna do with the world. I live in the moment I love creating these amazing bonds with my clients my followers anyone that I meet because I truly believe that it takes one person to believe in you and who can inspire you to go for what you want . I am a mom of three I have my own business I’ve created an amazing team and I’ve created amazing relationships with amazing artist and amazing educators. At one point I was determined to just Soley focus on make up and educating and then In 2021 I met an educator by the name of Senada, I took a class from her in October 2021. I didn’t realize how much I needed to be in that classroom setting because it gave me a reason to not give up on styling. I remember her exact words “ please come back when you can I’d love to have you shadow me and don’t give up because you are amazing “ I went up to see her in New York a few times and it was just amazing since then she has pushed me, she’s pushed me to push through my boundaries and now I am where I am pursuing this industry has been one of the best decisions that I’ve made. I’ve met some amazing people throughout my journey and I’ve also met and encountered jealousy and insecurities. The industry can be very catty for the truth is when you’re solely focused on the bigger picture you don’t see anything else. Removing those who may have held me back out of my life what’s the best thing I could’ve done . I’m thankful for everyone that I have in my circle because they have been my biggest influence in the last few years and everyone that I’m working with now I’d like to think that I’m their biggest influence because I truly believe in what this industry can offer. My journey has only begun and I hope that my kids What determination is. My goal in the future is to share my journey into inspire.

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.
Getting to where I got into has not been easy it’s not it’s never easy. There’s a lot of obstacles that happen. One of the biggest things is learning to focus. I’ve always been all over the place, my creative juices go 100 miles an hour and once I figured out some type of balance things fall into place. Learning to listen and learning when to speak is huge. I’ve always been someone that observes and throughout the years I feel like that is what has helped me the most. My biggest fuel are my haters, those who lack in confidence and project themselves on me. Surrounding yourself by the right people is key . Not everyone is going want to see you win and believe me there will be a lot of people who will try to take away from everything you’ve done and try to remind you to remember where you come from. I can’t begin to tell you how many times people told me that. And don’t ever take it personal it’s not based on where you come from it’s based on you not allowing people who don’t have the same vision as you try to take you away from what you really meant for. Humility is some thing that I have made sure I am still in my self by the people that I keep around me.

I am a ball of energy and a times people are threatened by that that is what fuels me . The love and the passion that I have for this industry is what keeps me going.

I’m transparent, I’ve also learned that I’m not for everyone and that’s OK.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh I got this covered! Living in central Florida we have such a diversity of things to do. I would definitely A list of restaurants because I love to eat!

-Masage & Facials @ Four Seasons
– Lunch at Earls Kitchen -Agave Azul
– Shopping at Millenia Mall
– Winter Park Stroll
-Desert at The GLASS KNIFE
– Dinner at HILLSTONE
Next day
– Beach Gulf coast
And relax

Final day Sunday funday
Brunch and relaxing .

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Érica González Amanda Stone
Lina Zúñiga
Senada Ceka
Quesia Salazar
Jennifer Torres
Stephanie Martinez
Jacqueline Gimenez

My Kids Jalen – Leila – Leah

Website: Www.LIZSANTANABEAUTY.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/lizsantanabeauty?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Image Credits
Passio Photography Natasha Smith Photography The One And Only Photography