Meet Tatiana Hernandez-Freeman | Celebrity Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tatiana Hernandez-Freeman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tatiana, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m an Army Brat so where I’m from varies with who’s asking. I was born in Oklahoma, but my earliest memories are dated back to Germany where I can remember my mom having an in-house daycare. From there our little family moved to Washington, there I can recall my mom working for herself cleaning houses. I helped her clean toilets at the tender age of 5. My dad, aside from being in the army had a photography business on the side. Fast forward to North Carolina, where I like to call home. First grade through eighth we lived in Fayetteville and my high school years were spent in Wake Forest. I grew up making friends easily but also making enemies in the same breath. I was naive and had to learn that sometimes people don’t like you just because. I found a love for music and art. Pageants, talent shows, art contests, and dance competitions kept me busy. Moving around and attending different schools gave me an opportunity to use different parts of my personality. Going from mixed crowds to majority black to majority white afforded me diversity and the ability to be a chameleon. I can adjust to any crowd and I take pride in that. Seeing my parents hustle and create income for themselves growing up, bestowed some hustle in me. Running my own business came natural.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m an artist at heart. Makeup is my medium. I’ve been drawing and painting since adolescence. It wasn’t until about 11 years ago, working retail at a shoe store, when the manager from the MAC counter walked in, I sold her several pairs of shoes, and she in turn bombarded me with questions about makeup and my career. I was 24 years old, my daughter was 3. We were living with my parents and I was trying to find myself, find my way. I hadn’t picked up a brush or drawn a doodle in years. I missed art. Long story short, I interviewed for MAC and received a part time 15 hr position based on being coachable. I could sell water to a fish and the liked that. The makeup portion was iffy at best. In 3 years, my chair was booming. My artistic skills were back and I was slaying faces. I climbed my way up to assistant manager. I was able to move out of my parents house. I felt like I was making a way for myself and my daughter. Life was on the ups, until it wasn’t. Chattanooga police department came on my job and arrested me. I was charged with intent to sell cocaine. I was devastated, even more so because the charges were false. I was an innocent woman in the wrong place at the wrong time. The judicial system drug me through the mud for a whole year before dismissing my case and expunging my record. Unfortunately for me, MAC couldn’t wait. They fired me. I was back at square one. I started freelancing and was blessed to find a salon home at The Bling Beauty Bar. Mrs. Veronica will always hold a special place in my heart because she gave my art a home again. I started back “beating faces” and that’s how the name “FaceBeats by Tatiana” was born.
Makeup is personal to me. Makeup has brought me through many challenges. It has been a savior of sorts; therefore, I owe it to myself to this career through. I’ve never been good at seeing things through. I’m a Gemini, we’re good at a lot of random things, but we tend to be fickle. Makeup has been my longest relationship and I want to see my brand and skill set flourish. I want to be the best. I want the be known worldwide, not just in the city. I want my art to speak for itself and when you see it, you say that’s a Tati Beat!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Fade and Facet is at the top of the list for dinner. The ambiance is a vibe. Great music. Potent drinks. Delicious food.. For brunch I love BQE on Sundays. They have a live DJ and a hype woman who gets the party started. Not to mention great food.
LOA rooftop for a laid back scene, great for networking.
Ponce city market for a variety of food and shops and some mini gold and drinks on the rooftop.
Juju spa for a body scrub and some relaxation.
And my favorite late night diner, Metro diner, for the best French toast.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shout out to my parents. Growing up they afforded me life experiences a lot of my friends didn’t have. My mom took me to vocal lessons every Tuesday at six. My dad gave me my first art lesson, that I can remember, at the age of four. They noticed my talents at a very early age and cultivated them. My love of the arts, I owe to them.

I also want to shoutout the family I’ve created. My wife has seen the ups and downs of the industry and she holds down the house. My girls, I know they’re looking up to me but little do they know I look up to them as well. They’ve taught me bravery, tenacity and diligence.

Website: Www.facebeatsbytatiana.com

Instagram: Misstatiibaby

Image Credits
Photographers:Casey Yoshida Loren Viera