Today we’d like to introduce you to Selena Cruz
Hi Selena, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I discovered makeup at the age 15. My mom use to drop me off at my twin cousins house, who let me use their makeup before going to school. It wasn’t much, but I loved it. So, then one day my brother surprised me with a makeup bag and a few makeup products. I was so excited, started drawing prints/shapes on my face, and bringing my creativity out. I was diagnosed with Arthritis at the age of 8. I was in 3rd grade at the time, I was running track, and sprung my ankle. There was a tree branch in the “dirt” track I was running on, and I tripped. Overall, my ankle didn’t heal, joints locked up and nothing was ever the same again. Then, it was Juvenile Arthritis, but now it’s Rheumatoid Arthritis. It was rough growing up lifestyle and medically wise. I wasn’t able to play normally like other kids. In elementary school, I had to sit out in gym class due to a doctor’s note and had to limit physical activities. My coach at the time, Coach Hill, I will never forget him. He use to let me play and be a normal kid, as long as I was comfortable with the gym activities; and for that I’m truly grateful. I dropped out the 2nd semester of 10th grade, I was 16 at the time. I, then became pregnant with my babygirl Ariyah- Oh how my life changed, had her at 17. I started making makeup content at that age, made a glam page on Facebook, and began posting. The engagement on my posts from friends and family was everything, so it became a habit and my favorite hobby to do. I met my fiancé Ronnie a year later, 2018 to be exact. Ariyah was a year and 7 months. He was there for my daughter and I, deep down I felt like he rescued us from the life we were living. Months go by, we made our relationship official. For my birthday and Christmas, him and his family would buy me makeup, vanity mirrors, makeup tools, and supported me in continuing my journey, the love, and passion I had for makeup. I had someone who believed in me. In 2019, I began taking clients. I was the dramatic, artsy makeup artist in my town. I did the glitter, rhinestones, prints, characters, and body art. The support from my Facebook media made me grind harder, and take it seriously. I am now a mother of 3, I have a beautiful family that I grind for. I am still doing makeup and going strong as ever. Through, the ups and downs, I never gave up. Makeup was my best friend growing up, it helped me cope with everything that I had going on mentally, physically, and emotionally. I only became stronger and wiser. So, from the bottom of my heart, I truly appreciate everyone who’s been there and showed tremendous support in my upbringing.
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?
It has not. There were times where I couldn’t fully afford products. I had to start with cheap, drugstore products, or just any brand at the time. I didn’t want to take clients because i didn’t have everything I needed just yet, and didn’t feel prepared or ready. My fiancé once told me that, “I’ll never be fully prepared and ready, if I don’t start.” That stuck with til this day.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in glam makeup. Events, Quinceañeras, Bridal. I am known for being versatile and showing my creativity through my work. I am proud of just being there for myself and making little me proud, for not giving up and showing what it fully means to go after something you love. What sets me apart from others is there’s only one me. I am who I am, and my work speaks for itself. I truly have my own way of doing makeup, and that’s what makes me different. I inspire others, help people find the love and passion for makeup. I’m there when others are in need, and for that I’m one of kind.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can support me through my medias or simply email me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selmariemua?igsh=a3VoaHBvc2MwM3d5&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ADAnfMnoo/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@filmwithsel?_t=ZP-8ux3aG0NALO&_r=1
