Today we’d like to introduce you to Enshlie Melendez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
You’d be surprised to know that I did not like makeup at all. That was until one day on my way to high school that my mom made me try mascara and eventually that turned to powder, blush, lipsticks, & more. She was always obsessed with makeup and I never understood why until I actually started playing with it myself. I became very interested in watching YouTube makeup tutorials & watching influencers like Michelle Phan, I started practicing my makeup more and more. I began bringing a small makeup bag to school and when I was done with my assignments I would start applying eyeshadows in the middle of class. People started noticing especially the girls and they would compliment my finished looks. It wasn’t until one day a girl in my class approached me and asked if I could do what I just did on her & I was like sure why not while doing her makeup more girls started asking me if I could do theirs. Before I knew it, I had a line of at least 5 girls. I didn’t know much about makeup except whatever my mom had taught me & what I’ve seen online but the word spread about me doing makeup & my obsession for it grew even more. It wasn’t until my friends started asking if I could do their makeup for an event & they would pay for it that I knew I could turn this hobby into a job. It’s now been about 6 years since I started learning about makeup. I became a beauty manager at Kohls at the age of 18. Eventually, I moved on to working at Sephora which was definitely an experience but it wasn’t enough for me I wanted to teach & be able to express myself through the art of makeup. My dad had recommended making videos this is when I started my YouTube channel, Enshlie Melendez, & began creating informative beauty videos with tips and tricks. I also have an Instagram account @unicornensh that has been growing rapidly and I’ve been acknowledged by brands like benefit cosmetics, Ilo cosmetics, Lilly lashes & so many incredible brands. It’s truly so rewarding to see that hard work really does pay off & nothing feels better than seeing your work acknowledged by those you look up to. I suffer from anxiety & doing makeup has been a therapeutic blessing because I can express myself through art. I guess this all would have never started if my mom hadn’t made me try on that mascara.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has its ups and downs, what I personally struggle with is finding the time I have a job aside from makeup but social media is a full-time job there is so much to it. I wish I could dedicate myself 100% & eventually, I will.
My advice to all woman is if you find something you love don’t set it aside, make a goal and follow through with it because hard work will show in its due time. Never give up.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a makeup artist & beauty influencer.
I’m constantly trying to perfect & learn from my mistakes as an artist.
I’m proud of how far I’ve come & how I haven’t given up also other artists I look up to compliment my work.
I think what sets me apart from others is that I’m not afraid to do & say what I want a lot of people are scared of that kind of freedom.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
My dad is a successful radio personality of 20 years & I think growing up watching him perform not only on the radio but on stage & on camera. Seeing him not be afraid of doing that, I think influenced me a lot growing up. He would also have a hand for drawing and would always show me his notebook of things he’s drawn, so when I was younger we would draw together.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unicornensh/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/unicornensh/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/EnshlieMeldz
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM55WquMfJXVclvKDOoMQ
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