Today we’d like to introduce you to Selena Carbajal.
Hi Selena, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story started after High school graduation in 2016, that moment in life where a chapter ends and a new one begins. I found myself on YouTube watching makeup tutorials and beauty gurus in my free time. I was so into watching them apply makeup and enhance their natural beauty I wanted to do it for myself. I started by doing my eyebrows. At first, they were so dark my dad noticed every time I would do them and he would tell me to remove it because I was still young and did not need it. He also noticed I had grown an interest in makeup which he didn’t understand just yet. So, when he would go to work, I would get a chance to practice my makeup skills until he would come back later that night. I soon began to post my art on Instagram and grow a following. I also started my YouTube channel and grew my makeup collection at the same time. I would practice my makeup look anytime I had a chance because I wanted to be consistent with my following all while working and going to college to get my medical assistant diploma. Though it was not possible for me to work in the medical field because of my illegal status in the U.S. I had to find a regular 9-5 job, but I knew in the back of my mind that was not what I wanted to do. I did not want to work for somebody else and not liking the job I was in knowing I could be my own boss and love what I would do for a living. I knew being in the U.S as a dreamer and soon to be business owner would be hard, but I did not let that stop me. My passion is makeup and enhancing my client’s beauty for their special events. It wasn’t until 2020 when I pushed myself to be a freelance makeup artist after practicing on my friends and family faces. I loved seeing my client’s faces after seeing their final results all glammed up! Soon after taking off as a freelance makeup artist, I noticed I had a talent for decorating!
When I would do my client’s makeup for their special event, I would love to see the event hall and decoration all come together! I started with decorating my sister’s baby shower which opened doors to more future event decorations like gender reveals, birthdays, and different birthday themes. I also added a few more services to my Instagram page over the time as clients started to request for other services like eyebrow waxing, digital invitations, sweet treats, chocolate fountain, gift baskets, flower, chocolate and balloon bouquets. I couldn’t say no to my clients whenever they would ask me if I could create something for them like the service above. Plus, I loved the challenge of being able to create for my clients. Moving forward in my business, on my husband’s birthday, I decided to do something really nice and special for him on his birthday. So, I came up with the idea of decorating our bedroom with balloons, rose petals, candles, wine, chocolate and more! I shared it on TikTok not expecting I would get new clients from other states like Louisiana, California, and Texas that would come out to Atlanta for my romantic bedroom decoration. Decorating hotels in Atlanta has been my absolute favorite! I get to know more hotels and see more amazing views of the city. Thanks to my family, mother-in-law, and husband I am where I am today following my dream job and building my own business. Especially my husband who has always supported me, encouraged me to do whatever I want to do and has been by my side every step of the way. I feel like my business has just taking off and I still have a lot more to learn and grow!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road along the way…. some of the struggles I have faced along the way have been to put myself out there and let people know who I am and what I do. Sometimes as people, we tend to second guess our work and compare it to others. Which is something I learned not to do because we all are in different stages of our journey and therefore, we cannot compare. I have also noticed a lot of other businesses in the makeup and decorating world here in Atlanta, but that does not mean you have to give up your business instead it pushes me to learn and grow more to give my clients a better service.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Selena Creations?
Selena Creations is a multi-service business where I am able to share and provide the services I like to do whether it is doing a client’s makeup for their big day or be able to create a beautiful decoration to look back at is amazing to me! I specialize in making my customers happy and exceeding their expectations. I always love to add a little more than what is expected. Everything I do, I do it with love.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?The biggest lesson I have learned along the journey is to not be afraid to put yourself out there and be yourself.
Pricing:
- Natural No Eyeshadow makeup $65
- Soft Glam $75
- Colorful/Freestyle Makeup $85
Contact Info:
- Email: Selenaxcreations@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/selenaxcreations?utm_medium=copy_link
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Selena-Creations-105864005084245/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC94UsYUNZsvu8XFkYWin-CA
- Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTdmweD6x/
Image Credits
Luis Martínez Disturbia Productions Instagram: @disturbia_live
