Today we’d like to introduce you to Josefina Rongvaux.
Josefina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up as a competitive dancer, I always had to look very glammed up for shows and competitions. My mom would always do my makeup, which I always loved (especially using fake eyelashes and bright lipstick)! One day when I was around 13 years old, she told me it was time I learned how to do my own makeup. Little by little, I learned on my own (YouTube tutorials were not a thing at the moment), so it was an interesting journey learning how to do a smokey eye with whatever palette I could find at the moment, I am pretty sure it was a Victorias Secret eyeshadow palette. I had so much fun and I loved how confident and grown-up it made me feel!
Later on, around my senior year of High School, I had all my dance friends asking me to do their makeup for all our shows and competitions, which was also very fun for me! Once I got into college and stopped dancing, my passion for all things makeup and beauty continued as a hobby but nothing too serious. Until one day, I remember coming across Tati Westbrook on YouTube and I immediately fell in love with her passion for makeup and beauty and I watched ALL her videos, and I still do today. Her videos really inspired me to go deeper into the world of beauty and I learned SO MUCH. I really admired her passion, and how confident and powerful she always seemed, and I knew I wanted to be that type of woman! The more I did my makeup, the more I learned and improved.
Then all my friends and family were always asking me about beauty products, how I did my makeup, different tips, and of course, to do their makeup for events and parties. At the beginning of 2018, I got the courage to open an Instagram page only for all things makeup and beauty and put myself out there to the world: @VauxBeauty. My vision with this page was to help people learn a little more about makeup and beauty. The next thing I knew, that is when my little business started running! Uploading makeup looks and clients’ makeup helped me grow and get discovered. In Miami, everyone knows everyone, so eventually, a lot of people recommended me to their friends and family. It really is an amazing feeling to know people begin trusting you and ONLY YOU to do their makeup; it makes me so happy! That is how my makeup business began.
Today, I am a full-time college student, I have a part-time job in my University as an office receptionist and in May 2020 I will graduate and finish my double degree in Graphic Design and Arts Management, and being a makeup artist is my awesome side business. My plans later this year after graduating is moved back home to Miami and expand my makeup business because it is something that I am extremely passionate about, and the best part of my job is I help women feel even more beautiful and confident! I cannot wait to see what this vision and business has in store for me.
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?
It has not been easy for me because I am very busy all the time, especially with school which is my priority at the moment. My degrees require a lot of time and dedication, so my time and attention go there first. However, having a lot of things on my plate definitely helped me become better at time management, planning, and being organized which are really important skills to have, especially when you want to operate your own business! I am currently finishing my college career at UCF in Orlando, and most of my clients are in Miami, so trying to be there for them when they need me and commuting back and forth has also been a challenge, but it is worth it!
Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
I am a makeup artist and I give makeup/beauty classes to women of all ages! I think the best part of my business is helping women feel more beautiful and confident and provide them the tips that make them feel like they can conquer the world with their beauty! I think what sets me apart is that my makeup style is glam but still on the more natural side because I want my clients to know that makeup enhances their natural features and that even though makeup is great and fun, our beauty comes from the inside and reflects on the outside.
I also have a very healthy lifestyle and I am a firm believer that what we put into our bodies directly reflects our skin, eyes, and our overall appearance, so when my clients or friends or family need advice on their skin or how to make their makeup application better, I make them reflect on their lifestyle, skincare routine, and their diet and how they can improve in that area first.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have many favorite memories but one of my all-time favorites is probably going to WannaDoCity on the weekends with my friends and my siblings!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @VauxBeauty
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