Balancing everything from work, family, social life, to maintaining beauty is not an easy task! We sat down and chat with Chic Studios founder, Amy Nicole, and Chic makeup artistry instructor, Christina Vega! They know the importance of what it means to have Beauty, Balance, and Business in their lives. Here are their insights.
Amy Nicole, Founder, Chic Studios
Beauty
1. What is your morning makeup routine?
Cleanse my skin, then makeup begins…
- Primer (I like Moisturizer/Primer by Glossier)
- Foundation (I have a few favorites, but currently Burberry Matte Foundation)
- Powder (where needed)
- Brows (I like Billion Dollar Brows mirco pencil in Taupe)
- Eyes next, depending on my time and mood, but always mascara
- Cheeks, I love a color tint, which I blend in with a small kabuki brush)
- Highlighter over cheeks (I love Fenty Beauty)
2. What are the 3 products you can’t live without?
I can’t live without a great mascara, lip gloss/lip balm and Body Butter (I apply it every day, all over my entire body).
3. What is your #1 skin care product?
Well I said I can’t live without Body Butter but my # 1 skin care product is Scott Barnes ‘Body Bling’ I am obsessed!
4. Palettes are such a pro product to have- What’s your favorite one?
Stila eye palettes are amazing, as well a favorite is Urban Decay (original) ‘Naked’ palette.
5. What are you currently up to in the makeup/beauty industry?
I am currently writing a new curriculum for business in the beauty industry, and obsessing over all of the Chic Studios holiday looks on Pinterest.
6. What’s your inspiration?
My inspiration is people. I read about people, I see people, I listen to people and I am both fascinated and inspired.
7. What advice would you give to aspiring makeup artists?
Trust your gut! And….if you don’t have experience yet with the industry, or the experiences you are surrounding yourself with, talk about it – ask someone. Ohhhh, and of course, I must say, be Kind! Be nice to work with.
8. Do you have any pet peeves when it comes to makeup techniques?
I do. People that think they know it all. And, people who are sly or not what they say they are.
Balance
1. You’re a mommy… What is the one thing you wished you were prepared for?
I embrace all that comes, It’s not easy at all, the one thing I have learned more than prepare for, is to ask for help.
2. What do you do to find solitude amongst chaos?
Ah, that’s an easy one, girls night, a night out where I can just laugh, catch up with great friends and have a glass of wine. (or two).
3. Balance… what does that mean to you?
It means, to me, being able to feel a sense of calmness most days. I feel imbalanced when I am in a state of constant stress. When that happens, I take a me day – I get a massage or acupuncture and do lunch alone.
4. How much do you have to commit to your passion vs. taking care of family?
I have and continue to commit more physical time to my passion/career. I am with my family laser focused with them on the weekends and evenings. I sleep 7-8 hours a day, I work 8-12+ hours (depending what is in the mix, honestly, sometime more than that, it’s crazy, but I absolutely love every second).
5. How does your your family react to your commitment to work?
They do not know any different, I have always been this way. I love what I do. I do it for them in some regards as well.
6. What does your typical day look like?
With my career, a day is different from one day to the other, but here are the key elements to most days: I wake at 6:30/7am, check my emails before my kids get up (work 20-60 minutes) shower and spend 1-1.5 hours with my kids, breakfast and off to school. Then, my real day begins… I work remote someday and head into the office others (downtown LA, when I am not traveling to Denver or New York) I ‘officially’ start my day at 9am (when I go DTLA) or at 7:30am/8am (when I work remotely). I do a walk around of the school, I clean, I organize, I take content for social media, and then hop on my laptop to tackle emails and connect with my NYC team, our enquiries, website developer, accountant, you name it….business emails.
Then, I usually have 2-5 calls a day (SEO team, NYC team, brands, facetime with enquiries, artists, influencers, the list goes on. Then around 2pm or 3pm I talk lunch, a walk or sometimes change of scenery. I then carry on with emails, calls, etc until 4:30pm (early day) 6pm (late day). Usually call a friend or my family on my drive home and head to my kids and husband. We eat, we laugh, we talk about our day. Bath, a TV show, stories and bed. Then, I enjoy a glass of vino and take a big deep breathe! (oh, and take my dogs for a walk) I will, in the new year get back to doing more makeup! I miss it. I use to do hours of makeup, now it’s hours of emails, lol. But I love it all.
Business
1. How do you describe your business?
Chic Studios is a professional makeup artistry school. We offer the highest quality of education. We teach more than just makeup, from self makeup lessons, to business classes and marketing/branding yourself.
2. What’s the most exciting part of your business?
The most exciting part of Chic Studios is what is yet to come. I am so excited for 2019!
3. What are your goals in 2019 for your business
The goals for 2019 are simple, do what we do REALLY well. Grow and become better at what we already do.
4. What would you tell your younger self now about what to think about business in the future?
The plan ahead and not just ‘do’ in the moment. You need a plan to generate revenue, hope and wishes doesn’t bring cash flow. Have a plan.
5. What is a ‘mistake’ you have made with business and how did you overcome this?
I didn’t plan as well as I could of, or should have. And, my biggest mistake ever, which was my greatest lesson, was to trust people for their word when I have listened to my gut and the clear red flags in front of me. I let people take advantage. I blame myself and I learned the hard way, but I am so much better now, and happy they aren’t anywhere near my business.
6. Any new projects coming up?
I do. More courses at Chic Studios. More pop up locations and a few things I can’t yet mention, but will be announced by Spring 2019.
Christina Vega, Educator+Influencer
Beauty
1. What is your morning makeup routine?
- Light foundation / tinted moisturizer
- Bronzer on face and lids
- 2-3 coats of mascara
- Tinted lip balm or nude gloss
- Brows
- Cream blush and highlight for a dewy fresh finish
2. What are the 3 products you can’t live without?
- Fenty Gloss Bomb
- Danessa Myricks Illuminating Veil ( so hard to decide on just one color )
- Mascara – Top 2 Faves: Urban Decay’s Perversion and Too Faced Better Than Sex
3. What is your #1 skin care product?
I’m obsessed with oils!! A few of my favorites are:
-
- Josie Maran Argan Oil
- Palmer’s Coconut Monoi Luminous Face Oil
- Weleda Almond Soothing Facial Oil
4. Palettes are such a pro product to have – What’s your favorite one?
If I had to pick one favorite palette it would be the Lorac Pro Palette!! This palette has a great variety of matte and shimmer shades to take any look from day to night. I also really love how thin the packaging is.
5. What are you currently up to in the makeup/beauty industry?
I’m a freelance makeup artist, instructor at Chic Studios, beauty influencer and hair model. I also host events, masterclasses and fundraisers. I recently partnered with Amazon to film live beauty segments for their app and website.
6. What’s your inspiration?
My son is my inspiration. I gave up my full time job to be able to work for myself and spend as much time with my family. I no longer have a steady pay check which makes me work even harder.
7. What advice would you give to aspiring makeup artists?
Learn from other professional makeup artists and don’t be afraid to assist them. YouTube or Instagram shouldn’t be your only source of education. You can never stop learning so continue to educate yourself regardless how far you are in your career.
8. Do you have any pet peeves when it comes to makeup techniques?
My only pet peeve when it comes to makeup in general is hygiene. I’ve seen makeup artists blow on their brushes. I’ve heard MUA’s ask for lashes back after they were used. I’ve even had a makeup artist attempt to use filthy brushes on me during a shoot. There’s no excuse to think this is okay.
Balance
1. You’re a mommy… What is the one thing you wished you were prepared for?
I’m not quite sure if there is a way to prepare for this … but I wish I was prepared for the first day I went back to work after having my son. I felt so guilty and didn’t want to leave. I even cried on my way to my gig and then again at Starbucks.
2. What do you do to find solitude amongst chaos?
I take at least 10 -15 minutes for myself everyday especially during stressful moments. I find guided meditation helps a lot. If I’m not home to lay down and meditate I’ll just close my eyes and take several deep breaths.
3. Balance… what does that mean to you?
Balance to me means being able to work, spend time with my family AND have time for myself.
4. How much do you have to commit to your passion vs. taking care of family?
Taking care of my family is priority. There’s this inspiring picture of Alex Box airbrushing a model with one hand and holding her son with the other. at bottom of the picture reads: “Work will always be there. Life won’t. Don’t miss life.”
5. How does your family react to your commitment to work?
My family supports me 100%. As a freelancer and influencer I have flexibility and can create my own schedule which is a huge plus. There are definitely times when I don’t get to spend time with my family all week. Moments like that never get easy but thank God for FaceTime.
6. What does your typical day look like?
I try my best to get up by 5 or 6 am every morning before my son gets up. This is the perfect time to answer emails, edit content, etc. If I have a gig then I continue working during my commute to and from NYC which is about four hours round trip. If I’m home all day then spending time with my son is priority. I definitely take advantage when it’s time for him to take a nap in the afternoon. Nap time is usually my time to film new videos, make dinner or even take a nap myself.
Business
1. How do you describe your business?
Christina V, LLC. provides beauty services including but not limited to Makeovers, Private Makeup Lessons and Social Media.
2. What’s the most exciting part of your business?
The most exciting part of my business is that I can work from home and travel when I have to. I’m so grateful that I can do what I love and enjoy motherhood at the same time.
3. What are your goals in 2019 for your business?
I would love to tap into product development in 2019!! I’m also looking into expanding my website. www.Christinavega.com currently has my makeup portfolio but over the years my brand has become so much more than just makeup.
4. What would you tell your younger self now about what to think about business in the future?
Never wait for the “right moment.” There will never be that perfect moment to kick off your business. Have a game plan, save as much money and just dive right in.
5. What is a ‘mistake’ you have made with business and how did you overcome this?
I had the opportunity to open up a pop up shop / boutique in Soho. “The Christina V Boutique offered makeovers, private makeup lessons and sold beauty products. I was there five to six days a week and my son was only 3-4 months old at the time. I pretty much created my own full time job after just leaving a full time job. It was great to have my own shop BUT there was no work life balance. I like to call this a “learning experience” instead of a ‘mistake.’
6. Any new projects coming up?
I’m working on new beauty events for 2019. Also Parents Latina Magazine recently reached out for a feature so be on the look out!!
