Being a Latino in the United States comes with its own experience and its own set of struggles and adventures. Each week, Latin Times showcases the life, upbringing, and career of a Latino living in the US. This week, we spoke with Carola González, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Kerry Washington ("Scandal"), Jaime King ("Hart of Dixie") and Rashida Jones ("Parks and Recreation").
Latin Times: What was it like growing up as a Latina?
Carola González: Growing up as a Latino has had its ups and downs. We have been looked upon as a minority, and still are in a lot of cases, which has resulted in effecting professional opportunities among other things. However, being a Latina woman has made me the person I am today and I wouldn't change it for anything. I love my culture and heritage. In the beauty world, I couldn't have been any luckier since I grew up surrounded by role models like my mom and grandmother, who taught me how to take care of myself and preserve my skin from aging in a natural way through example, advice, and home recipes.
LT: How did you manage to keep in touch with your ethnic roots having grown up in America?
CG: I managed staying in touch with with my ethnic roots by remaining close to my family and surrounding myself with Latino friends. Most of my best friends in Los Angeles are Puerto Rican, 'Newyorricans', Cubans, Chileans, and Panamanians. I've created a very strong nucleus who, to me, are my family away from home.
LT: When and how did you realize you wanted to be a makeup artist?
CG: I realized I wanted to be a makeup artist during my modeling years. I got to understand the power of makeup -- how good or bad makeup can affect how one feels in front of the camera. If one feels unattractive, then there is nothing that can change it. And that is exactly how it is going to translate. When one feels beautiful, one shines, feels on top of the world like they can conquer anything at any time. It either makes you feel insecure or self confident. Becoming a makeup artist was plan B and soon, it became my passion and career.
LT: Being a Latina, was it difficult to enter this field?
CG: Not really. I've always been bilingual in English and Spanish. Therefore, I had few limitations in that sense.
LT: You have worked on editorial projects, advertising and special events. Do you have a favorite?
CG: My favorite special event was doing Kerry Washington's makeup for the 2014 Oscars. It was the first time I worked on someone who had all the eyes, cameras and attention on her. The makeup had to be perfect and I have to admit, it was a bit nerve wrecking. One's work can either get scrutinized or praised. I remember looking at the TV watching E!'s live red carpet and hearing everyone's comments on Kerry's makeup. It was all positive and got a lot of press. At that moment, I felt on top of the world and I knew I did a great job. It was extremely rewarding and definitely took me to a next level.
LT: Thus far, what has been the best moment of your career?
CG: I feel like that moment is now. I have an amazing team behind me, my agents, whom I have the best relationship and communication with, who believe in me, and push me to take my career to the highest level. I have wonderful clients, whom I've become friends with, appreciate my work and are loyal. Each day I'm working more and more with Latin talent, which brings me closer to my roots, and makes me feel more at home.
On top of these, I feel is a great time to be a Latino in this world. Hispanics are influencing more and more cultural society, products, and consumerism in the USA, which also applies to the beauty industry. Thus, opening more opportunities in the field. With this in mind, I’m excited to announce the launch of a Bilingual Beauty Blog I’ve crated called: El Beauty, where I educate, share my work, knowledge and experiences through articles and tutorials in Spanish and English.
LT: As a makeup artist, what is the best advice you can give our readers?
CG: The best advice I can give is to start taking care of your skin at an early age. Prevention and preservation are the best strategies to graceful aging. The ideal would be to start between ages of 15-18. However, it’s never too late to start, what’s most important is that you implement a beauty regimen at any given point. Start by washing your face with a cleanser twice every day morning and night, follow with a toner to remove any left residues, exfoliate 3 times a week, and hydrate the skin with a moisturizer. Drink lots of water, watch what you eat and exercise. These are the golden keys to youth and remaining youthful.
You can follow Carola Gonzalez on Twitter (@CarolaGmakeup) and Instagram.
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