Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandria Gilleo.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Alexandria. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m a professional makeup artist, content creator, entrepreneur, and beauty coach who supports aspiring creatives in my field. I spend every day learning, educating others, and chasing my visions. My whole life I’ve been an artist. I’ve always been a very visual person and I was never great at school (except English and History, which I Aced, by the way). I was kicked out of high school for letting 1,000 crickets out in the girl’s locker room and forced to go to an alternative school, and then three days into my first week of college, I lied to my parents and dropped out to chase my goals. I always wanted to be outside doing anything that was fun and creative. I have never felt more alive while building my empire and going after my goals.
I first started my Bridal business 12 years ago, as one the youngest makeup artists in NY at age 18. I booked as many weddings as I could (at least 150 weddings A YEAR) and really developed a great understanding of different skin tones, skin textures, different eye and facial shapes, long-lasting makeup applications, different techniques, hair styling, and creative direction. I mastered the art of covering any blemishes with successfully achieving the “no makeup” makeup look. I also learned the business side of how to run a business. I was booking clients, setting up websites, training assistants, organizing schedules, sending out contracts and invoices, etc. I learned how to hustle, work quickly and efficiently in a very timely manner, work in different lighting scenarios, and pressure-packed situations. Sometimes I’ll have to get 11 faces done and look ON POINT in less than 5 hours. Before I knew it, my hustle took me down to The Big Apple. I was surprised by how much the bridal experience had paid off. Do you know celebrities and influencers are actually way easier to work with than brides? No shade to my lovely bridal clients and not to brag but it’s really made me grow into a strong artist.
I travel back and forth between Miami Beach, NY, and LA and years later, here I am working on some of the biggest beauty campaigns, celebrities, TV networks, commercials, press, advertisements, YOU NAME IT, I’LL DO IT, however, my signature style of makeup is natural, dewy, and fresh. I became obsessed with creating “glass-like” skin complexions. Along with glass-skin, it has become a passion of mine to learn all about skin health and ingredients in our facial products. If I have a CEO or celebrity client that I’m working with often, I want to make sure their skincare routine is on point, so the makeup look I create appears fresh and flawless (and I LOVE a good highlight situation). I developed melasma in recent years and had suffered from acne and psoriasis in the past, SO, I wanted to learn the ins and out of skincare and bridge the gap between beauty and wellness, to learn how to be healthy and keep my skin conditions under control, since (let’s be honest) my skin is my money maker.
Although my job and Instagram may look like fabulous unicorns, roses, and sprinkles, I want to get real with you. Loss was my greatest teacher. I have been broke and broken. I’ve lost a lot of loved ones around me including my best friend and the hero of my life, my father. Some of these losses included people who have been the ones to push me to pursue my dreams and were some of my biggest supporters. After a lot of unexpected losses that occurred in life, I found that makeup and coming back to my art was therapy for me. I had become more myself and more inspired than ever. Sure, I had to re-learn how to be happy, healthy, how to support myself, live with gratitude, love, and forgiveness, but I soon became committed to finding my purpose and raising my vibration. My role in this journey is to live fiercely and study deeply to share knowledge with others. I want every person to feel confident and elevated. Beauty isn’t just in the face. It’s a vibration and energy that I aim all my clients to feel.
I believe that beauty and wellness are VERY interconnected. The foods you eat, the thoughts you think, your skin routines, the makeup your wear – it’s all a reflection of your unique beauty and inner success.
Considered an expert in my trade, I am devoted and committed to learning, seeking more knowledge, love, and understanding every day to help me grow into a better person. I am committed to walking into each day as an eternal student. Faced with challenges as we all do, I am learning how to continue to thrive in my businesses, relationships, and life as I continue to grow and remain “open” while pursuing knowledge and happiness.
Through traveling to other countries, daily practices, routines, rituals, reading, studying, having mentors, educating others, listening to podcasts, emerging myself in other cultures, writing, and not ever quitting when I absolutely wanted to, I have awakened to my own truth. I have reconnected with who and what matters and feel incredibly inspired in my art, spirituality, and lifestyle. I’ve welcomed mindfulness and wellness into my life. Sure, we all want some fairy dust in our lives, but I’ve learned you can’t just choose to be happy and successful. Before you can choose success or happiness, you must choose YOU.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Struggles included getting kicked out of high school, dropping out of college, starting a career with no money, degree, or experience, losing a lot of people close to me, and figuring out how to build a clientele in NY and Miami. I embraced the dirty work, doing everything from cleaning brushes to grabbing coffees, and absorbed all she could about networking and working with a variety of clients. I had a lot of people tell me I wouldn’t make it far in my career because I didn’t have an agent to represent me. I had people tell me that freelancing is too risky and to get a job with security. The same people who told me that ten years ago are the ones calling me asking if I’m hiring.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I have built a team of freelance hair and makeup artists. I have a few freelancers in Miami, a few in New York, and some in LA. We tackle the bridal industry and the influencer space. We work on photoshoots and campaigns, tv commercials, and many athletes. I am most proud of the team of incredible artists I built. I take pride in teamwork; we are all really supportive of one another. I personally specialize in glowing, beautiful skin.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Kindness.
Pricing:
- I offer digital skincare appointments at $100.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alexandriagilleo.com
- Email: hello@alexandriagilleo.com
- Instagram: @alexgill
Image Credit:
The wedding photo credit is; Alex Cayley, The soccer ball image is: bumble and bumble
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