Meet Stephanie Martinez | Makeup Artist/ Esthetician/ Artist

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

Hi Stephanie, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued an artistic career because Art has always been my first true passion.
Growing up my mother was really into art and we would always have arts and crafts nights.
This has always inspired me to naturally fall in love with art.
In school I was always very artistic or known as the student who would be doodling in class. In high school I was an Art major and took an AP Art class and excelled very well with very unique Mixed Media Paintings. Not only was my love for Art on paper but I was also a Drummer in school. I was a Bass drummer in the band. Art was everywhere for me but I always thought that I was going to be a tattoo artist because I love drawing!
I was always into doing my makeup for school and had colored hair and experimenting with colors and styles.
People I knew than asked can I do thier makeup for prom and events.
I didn’t think much of it but I was being offered to get paid for my services.
I than did this as a side hustle growing up and I realized my love for Art and being social worked hand in hand and it was so much fun creating Art on people’s faces and making them feel beautiful!
I than went on to cosmetology school at Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School of Atlanta where I studied cosmetology..
Hair color, Makeup, Editorial Photoshoots. Art was in everything I did.
However, I was than known as the girl at school always painting faces instead of hair.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Being a Makeup Artist is all about Art. The colors, the texture, the products’ consistency and pigments. Mixing shades to your liking and creating new colors is therapeutic.
It wasn’t easy actually placing them on the face however. It took years of practice and failing. There were times I didn’t feel confident enough or I hated how it came out and I felt like giving up.
But it is JUST makeup! You can take it off, you can try again. There are so many new techniques that are shown everyday on social media. There is no right way to do makeup as long as it comes out beautiful. Being professional, knowing how to handle clients with different personalities and working with timing myself is very important and was not easy at first. Working as a Travel Freelance MUA helped and being in new settings and working in different environments helped. I am also very thankful I worked for companies such as MAC & Sephora where I learned so much on how to treat clients and being professional and speaking about product ingredients.
Art has brought me to my new journey as well. I just finished Esthetician school and I am now specializing in Lash ARTistry and the Art of Facials, Brow Laminations and Brow Tinting.
Art has showed me many sides to itself and I am so excited for my new journey!
I also decorate Bling Custom Bottles for people and sell them for birthdays/anniversaries etc!
@cuztombottlezbysteph is where you can find my Custom Bottle service portfolio and @dolledupbysteph for my Beauty Services, you can order bottles through my beauty account/schedule makeup appointments.
I am also trying to get back into painting and start selling my paintings as well. I am so excited for my future and for my love in the Art field.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was in town I would start by taking them to Red Pepper Taqueria for Saturday Brunch for thier bottomless Mimosa specials or to La Parilla for thier delicous Margaritas and food!
I would than take them on a walk through Ponce City Market and explore the city with Electric scooters and treat ourselves to a King of Pops treat and hit up Sephora!
One of my favorite late night spots for later would than be Maggie’s Neighborhood bar for thier wings and pool! And if we still have energy I would than take them to Impulse lounge for Kareoke!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mom who unfortunately passed when I was 12 was always a big role in my Artistic pursues. She always said she can’t wait until I get older so I can help her do her makeup and hair. I am the oldest out of 4 so I feel very lucky I was close to her and she taught me drawing and it than brought me close to my love for Art and her.
My highschool teacher Ms. Murray Kettle was also a huge influence in my Artistic pursuits because she always pushed me to create and allowed me to use her classroom just to create when I felt like it. She always spoke very highly about me and made me feel special and it really pushed me in school when I was feeling lost in what I wanted to do after highschool. Kimmie Gee @kimmiegeedotcom whom I met bartending, is a famous dancer/instructor for artists such as Beyoncé, Usher, Neyo etc. I threw my shot and gave her my instagram on a napkin and she was so sweet and gave me the chance to do her makeup and put me on to many new experiences such as photoshoots, video shoots and she even chose me to do her wedding makeup. I feel honored and I’m so thankful I was able to enter rooms I always wanted to grow in. These women made me feel strong and set the foundation for my love in Art. I am forever grateful for thier love in the Arts.

Instagram: @dolledupbysteph

Other: Tiktok: dolledupbystephmtz

Image Credits
Dalia Villanueva
Monifa Basdeo