Meet Valeria Martinez | Makeup artist

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

Hi Valeria, why did you pursue a creative career?
I decided to pursue my makeup artist career because, since I was a little girl I loved coloring as silly as it sounds I’ve always had a good eye for coloring and shading very well. I was fascinated how little by little all this hues fall into place making the perfect painting. My coloring books were impressive for a 5 year old. Art was my favorite subject in school anything with art and music always called my attention. Then I got older and decided that doing a corporate job wasn’t for me that I wanted to turn my love for art and makeup into a career, my career to be exact and the best advise I got was from my art teacher in high school, she told me I was meant to do something artistic in my life and to not settle anything less then what I wanted and was good at. Prior to that I hadn’t even thought about it. 2 years after high school I attended an only makeup school that at the time was located in Coral Gables Miami Fl. Called Gabriel’s production, I’ve always considered myself a natural at makeup. Through out the years as things change I stay on top of new trends while keeping my artful authentic tone and what I like to attract as per my clientele which is light, clean, fresh, timeless makeup. Being a makeup artist also opened me up to so many other fields related to the beauty industry, such as skin care in which I became a facial licensed esthetician in 2019. I couldn’t be happier with the path I chose for my self, it’s not easy and it requires time, effort, discipline and dedication, but all is capable when you love what you do.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I’ve work along with many other great artists I don’t know what sets me apart from all of them, but I can tell you what my clients feed backs are, they “love my energy” they “love how my work is so timeless” how “I give them advise on makeup tricks” and “daily skin care routine”. They love how honest and real I’am and how I’m so easy to talk too whether is work related or personal I have build relationships with my clients of many years. I’ve started by doing their wedding, then maternity, new borns and the list goes on. I appreciate every single one them and make it a priority to make them feel special on each and every beauty session. I’ve also developed my own lash line called SKINV lashes that I’m very proud of is an idea I had in mind for a very long time, the path I chose for me hasn’t been easy this is not a corporate world job where you have structure and rules already setup to guide and help you, in my path I’ve had to create & build a structure for my self and brand I’ve had to become my own line of work, administrative, creative director and come up with my own ideas. Many times you create doubts of not being good enough and doubting if you can really pull off turning your passion into an income the hardest challenge for me was valuing myself knowing and recognizing that I’m good enough to set a price that values my work, and setting my self apart from so many other just as talented artists, I want people to know that I take my job very seriously the beauty industry is a billion dollar market that has room for so much growth I love what I do I love my brand & what it stand for. In and out side beauty, a clean and fresh look, it stand for beauty of all ages, all shapes, size & color. 

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would tell him to start by the beach definitely Hollywood Beach I love it, the water is right next to the restaurant and bar strips I would also recommend a day in the fountain blue hotel The spa is a great experience and so is a day by the pool side. Going out on a boat is top notch experience in Miami I would definitely advise to rent one for the day. I would alao recommend the midtown area there is this restaurant called bistro cafe is a Puerto Rican restaurant the food presentation is as good as it taste and the drinks are amazing. The place is super nice and cute and is ultimately a good vibe.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Alan Phillip photography he is a family member of mine, my cousin to be exact he has always believe in my career always teaching me how to take great photos to show case my work properly on social media also how to engage with my audience, overall aside from being family his truly my best friend and my number one supporter, his partner Raul has also been a huge supporter in my career & life adventures and he couldn’t be anything further then a brother to me as well. I have an incredible support system within my own family and no matter how tough it gets my family never lets me fail, they encourage me to keep pushing and re-assure me on how bright my future looks, they celebrate every success of mine no matter how small or big it is. But the ultimate credit I think goes to my grandparents they came here to the U.S. as immigrants with no nothing but what they had on their back, they worked hard until they were able to open ways and make futures for every single of their kids and grand kids everything began with the seed they planted for us. I’m thankful & grateful to them for wanting more for their kids and grandkids.

Website: https://vskin-by-valerym.myshopify.com/

Instagram: Facebyvalerym

Image Credits
Alan Phillip photography