Meet Lisset Cuevas | Bridal Makeup Artist & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisset Cuevas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisset, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Becoming a makeup artist wasn’t something I’d imagine myself doing growing up, let alone to start educating newer artists in the industry. Now 9 years later, it’s something I can’t imagine my life without. Growing up Latina and plus size, the beauty industry was geared towards women who looked opposite of me. Even as a bride myself in 2014, there weren’t many makeup artists who were skilled to work with textured, imperfect, round faces. After a few trials, I ended up doing my own makeup with the help of my sisters. It was the next year when I decided I wanted to empower women with makeup. Especially women like me, perfectly imperfect, and not often praised and put front and center. I founded Lisset Cuevas Artistry not only as a love letter to the younger me, but to celebrate everyone;s unique features and flaws. I’ve proudly opened a studio space that is safe, warm, and welcoming to anyone to show up as they are.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a Bridal and Event makeup and hair artist. I specialize in soft glam and am best known for my ability to create an elevated flawless version of everyone’s unique features. I don’t hide any flaws, I beautifully enhance and celebrate them. I am most proud of the safe space I create for my clients and the ability to provide services that truly make people happy, seen, and beautiful. I am proud of the ability to grow my business enough to add my twin sister to my team and the ability to work alongside her and share my love and passion.

Starting my makeup journey almost 9 years ago was far from easy. I had no connections in the beauty industry, very little money and no professional training. There were months in the first 2 years where I only booked 1 client every other month. It was easier said than done to put yourself out there and practically beg strangers to do their makeup for free. All the extra money I earned at my corporate job and clients went right back into growing my kit and trying to replicate other “pro artists” makeup kits. I maxed out credit cards and emotionally drained myself with all the pressure I was putting on myself to grow my brand and reach. So many times I wanted to sell my kit, and quit. It’s easy for people to say, “I went broke starting my business”, there were so many months where my husband and family had to lift me up and encourage me to push forward and fight for my dream and passion.

What sets me apart from everyone, is my genuine love for everyone’s love story and the passion I have to create a connection with each and every person that sits in my chair. I want my people to know that their flaws, texture, imperfections, make us who we are. Its a part of our story, and that should be celebrated and embraced. My studio is welcomed to any and everybody to come as they are and feel safe and leave my chair confident, and most of all truly beautiful.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I was lucky to work alongside so many amazing artist and prestige makeup agencies in Arizona. The encouragment from this amazing group of women helped enocourage me to pursue my passion and not give up when things were so extremely hard. I am eternally grateful for their love and support.

Website: www.lissetartistry.com

Instagram: @lissetcuevasartistry

Facebook: Lisset Cuevas Artistry

Image Credits
Kaylie Miller Photography, Ashly Arts, Escape and Adventure Photography, Primabella Beauty