Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Gallego.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Andrea. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Halfway into Art School in the Interior Design program, I realized that I did not have a passion for the field. At the same time, I got hired at Sephora in 2008 as a cashier and quickly became immersed and infatuated with all things beauty. I quickly found my niche and worked my way up the company as a Color Expert. After 5 years in Retail Cosmetics, I ventured on my own as a Freelance Makeup Artist. During this time, I also received my Esthetician license, took makeup courses, and worked as a beauty ambassador for Estee Lauder. Having met so many people during my time in the retail, set me up with wonderful connections and clients that have followed me to this day.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Being a freelancer is not for the faint of heart! You’re going to have a lot of ups and downs. The beauty business is not all pretty and glamorous. You have to build a tough skin and be prepared to have some slow months, especially in the beginning. Like any starting small business, you have to run it all yourself and there was a lot of trial and error for me in the business part of freelancing. Thankfully, I made wonderful connections and have great mentors who graciously shared their experience and knowledge of the industry with me.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Andrea Gallego, Makeup Artist – what should we know?
I am a freelance Makeup Artist based in South Florida. I also can travel on location wherever I am needed! I’ve done several types of makeup work such as weddings, runway shows, and photo shoots. However, I am currently focusing on Commercial, Print, and Celebrity work.
I started my career right before the YouTube Beauty “Guru” and Instagram Influencer started booming and reshaping the Makeup Industry. While I feel that Social Media can be an amazing tool, lately it has been flooded with over-filtered images and unrealistic expectations of beauty. The ugly side of these trends is that they have been blurring the definition, even qualifications, of who a Professional Makeup Artist is. People are calling themselves a makeup artist without even having a brush touching another face beside their own. I set myself apart from these entities by simply trying to do the best work I can and building strong, genuine relationships with industry professionals to strengthen our community and bring awareness. Likes and followers do not replace experience and technique.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I am grateful to have met people in the makeup industry that were gracious enough to share their incredible insight, knowledge and experiences with me. People like Victoria Duke, Taryll Atkins, Michael Devellis, James Vincent, Marietta Carter-Narcisse and Crystal Wright have inspired me and taught me so much. They all have opened my eyes to how the industry works and motivated me in so many ways. While the beauty industry is huge, it is also small! It is important to always stay professional and most of all humble.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.andreagallego.com
- Email: ag@andreagallego.com
- Instagram: AndreaGallegoMakeup
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/andreagallegomakeup
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/AndreaG_MUA
Image Credit:
Nick Stokes, Kin Cordell
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