Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyndsey Pozo.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
People often assume there was a grand plan, but honestly, my career in makeup started somewhat unexpectedly.
I was attending college at the time, studying fashion design, marketing, and merchandising, when a friend of mine was showcasing two collections in a Latino designers fashion showcase. She approached me because I had always been a makeup enthusiast—I loved experimenting with products, colors, and different looks on myself—but I had never worked on anyone else professionally and the thought never even crossed my mind.
She asked if I would create a makeup look for her models that would work across both collections. I remember telling her, “I’ve never done anyone else’s makeup before,” and she immediately replied, “But you’re so great at doing your own.” And honestly, that stuck with me.
I’ve always been artistic, especially when it came to painting. As a child, I was constantly creating. Monet was my favorite painter, I loved working with watercolors and acrylics, and I painted so much that even my bedroom walls—and eventually my easel—became part of the artwork. Looking back, makeup felt like a natural extension of that creativity. It’s still painting, just on a different canvas.
So I decided to help my friend. I went to CVS, bought a few foundation shades to mix, picked up some products, and approached it the same way I would a painting—through color, balance, and creativity.
At the same time, I wanted to help her presentation feel as professional as possible, so I designed business cards on Microsoft Paint using clip art and the Scriptina font. I printed them on glossy photo paper because I thought they looked fancy at the time. They were definitely not the sturdiest business cards, but they got the job done.
At that fashion show, I met a photographer who booked me for my first professional photoshoot that very weekend. From there, opportunities started coming quickly. I began working with photographers, models, and fashion brands, was invited to create surrealist makeup looks for a Dalí-inspired fashion show at the Dalí Museum, and later recreated those looks on NBC’s Daytime show.
That momentum eventually brought me to New York City, where I continued building my career while completing my internship. Over the next 18 years, I worked with countless photographers, expanded into bridal makeup, taught personalized makeup lessons, and continued refining my artistry and client experience.
Today, I’ve brought that experience back to my home state of Florida, where I specialize in bridal, special event, and editorial makeup. Looking back, there wasn’t one single moment that got me here. It was a combination of saying yes to opportunities, working hard, continuously learning, and genuinely loving what I do. Every client, photoshoot, wedding, and lesson helped shape the business I have today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—and honestly, I think that’s true for most entrepreneurs.
One of the biggest challenges came after I moved to New York City. I was pursuing a demanding internship in the fashion industry that I was incredibly grateful for, but it was unpaid, and New York is not exactly an inexpensive place to live. To make it work, I took on multiple jobs at the same time. Between bartending, brand ambassador work, makeup clients, weddings, and my internship, there was a period when I was juggling four different jobs.
I still remember spending my entire birthday month without a single day off. Most days I was going from one job directly to another, simply because I loved living in New York and was determined to build a future there.
At the same time, I was trying to figure out what path my career would take. I had degrees in fashion design, marketing, and merchandising, and I was interviewing for more traditional roles while my makeup business continued growing on the side. There was a lot of uncertainty because I could see opportunities in both directions, but I didn’t yet know which one would ultimately become my career.
Like many families, mine wanted stability and security for me. They had invested so much in my education and wanted to make sure I was building a sustainable future. Looking back, that pressure came from a place of love, but at the time it felt like I was constantly trying to prove that a creative career could be a real career.
One of my favorite memories from that period came when my roommate moved out of our apartment. I had always told myself that if I ever had the extra room, I would turn it into a dedicated makeup studio. When my mom came to visit, she looked at the empty room and said, “Let’s go to IKEA.”
We spent the day furnishing my first studio space and bringing that vision to life. While we were shopping, she also picked out a bamboo plant for the studio. At the time, it was just one of those finishing touches that made the space feel complete.
I still have that same bamboo plant with me today in Florida. My mom passed away in 2021, so over the years it has become much more than a plant. It reminds me of that day, that studio, and the moment when this dream started feeling real—not only to me, but to my family as well.
Looking back, that entire day felt like a turning point. It was the moment when I stopped viewing makeup artistry as something I did on the side and started fully embracing it as the career I wanted to build.
The challenges didn’t stop there. After building a successful business in New York for over 15 years, I relocated back to Florida and essentially had to start over in a new market. Even with years of experience and an established portfolio, building a reputation and client base in a new city takes time, patience, and persistence.
But every challenge along the way has taught me something valuable. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that success is rarely a straight line. Sometimes you have to trust yourself before anyone else fully understands the vision, keep showing up consistently, and allow the journey to unfold one opportunity at a time.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a professional makeup artist and the owner of Lyndsey Ariel Makeup. I specialize in elevated, natural, and soft glam makeup, with a particular focus on bridal artistry. In addition to weddings, I also provide makeup services for special events, film and production work, and personalized one-on-one makeup lessons.
Over the years, I’ve become especially known for creating polished, timeless looks that help my clients feel like the very best version of themselves. I want people to look beautiful in person, in photographs, and years later when they look back on those memories.
I’m also proud to be known as an Asian bridal makeup specialist. As an Asian artist myself, I understand the unique features, traditions, and beauty preferences many Asian brides are looking for. After spending many years working in New York City and later relocating to South Florida, I’m especially proud to have become a trusted artist for Asian brides in a market where that specialization is less common.
What sets me apart is that I genuinely care about the experience just as much as the final result. Of course, beautiful makeup is important, but my clients are often preparing for some of the biggest moments of their lives. My goal is to provide peace of mind throughout the process. I want them to feel heard, cared for, and completely confident that they are in good hands.
I’m often told that clients leave my chair feeling more relaxed and confident than when they sat down. To me, that’s one of the greatest compliments I can receive. I strive to create an environment where people can unwind, enjoy the experience, and feel comfortable being themselves.
What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in me and the relationships that have grown over the years. I’ve had the privilege of being part of so many milestones—from engagements and weddings to maternity sessions, family portraits, and other meaningful life events. There’s something incredibly special about having clients return again and again throughout different chapters of their lives.
And of course, there’s still nothing quite like that moment when I hand someone the mirror and see their face light up. After more than 17 years in this industry, that feeling never gets old.
More than anything, I want people to know that I absolutely love what I do. Every client who sits in my chair can expect a personalized experience, a few laughs along the way, and a genuine commitment to making them look and feel their absolute best.
What were you like growing up?
People are usually surprised when I tell them this, but I was actually incredibly shy growing up.
That said, I was also always very bubbly, funny, and a little silly. Once I felt comfortable around someone, my personality came out pretty quickly. I loved making people laugh and never took myself too seriously. The difference now is that I’m much more confident, so that side of my personality gets shared with everyone instead of just my close friends and family.
One thing that has always been consistent, though, is my love for creativity. I was constantly drawn to art, fashion, beauty, and anything that allowed me to express myself. I spent countless hours painting, drawing, and creating. My favorite artist was Monet, and I loved working with watercolors because of the softness and movement they created.
I also have to give a lot of credit to my mom. She was such a fashionista and beauty enthusiast, and she definitely influenced me from a young age. Whether it was fashion, makeup, or simply taking pride in presenting yourself well, I grew up around someone who genuinely loved beauty and self-expression. Looking back, I can see how much of that passion rubbed off on me.
I’ve always been someone who notices details—colors, textures, shapes, and how things come together visually. Fashion, beauty, and art never felt like hobbies to me; they were simply the things I was naturally drawn to.
As I got older, I became more confident in myself and more comfortable connecting with others. In many ways, makeup artistry helped bring me out of my shell. It gave me an opportunity to combine creativity with human connection, and that’s still one of my favorite parts of what I do today.
Pricing:
- Bridal Makeup $350
- Airbrush Bridal Makeup $400
- Bridesmaids Makeup $175
- Airbrush Bridesmaids Makeup $225
- Makeup Application $175
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lyndseyarielmakeup.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lyndseyariel
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/LyndseyArielMUA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lyndsey-ariel-makeup-miramar-7
