Meet Andrew Velázquez.
“The Art of Makeup and Hair is both emotional and powerful! If you look good, then you feel good—you can really transform someone’s self-esteem with the magic of makeup and hair styling,” – explains Hair Makeup Artist, Andrew Velazquez.
Andrew is a licensed Cosmetologist and his background ranges from High Fashion work to Educator.
This born and bred Angeleno always knew he was meant for a career in beauty; “I knew from early on that I wanted to be a part of an industry that makes people feel and look their very best.”
“Growing up in Boyle Heights on the East-side of Los Angeles it was very difficult for me to fit in. Especially being gay, in the closet and raised in a macho environment. Thank God for the Arts and my Mother encouraging me to attend the Los Angeles Music and Art School. That’s where I discovered my passion for the language of color, textures, brushes and mixing mediums. I experimented with my fashion and self-expression in High School and as a consequence was bullied and jumped. Fortunately with my art credits, I was able to take my GED and began to attend LA Trade Tech at the age of 16. At LATT, I studied Fashion Merchandising. Shortly after, I moved out of my parents home leaving behind my three younger brothers who I helped raise because I realized for the first time that I needed to take care of Andrew. I moved to the San Fernando Valley and attended West Valley Occupational Center to attend Cosmetology School. Throughout my studies, I participated in and won hair and makeup shows. Finally, I completed 1600 hours of work and received my License and graduated with honors.”
Making people look and feel beautiful is truly what Andrew does best. He began his career as the Lead Makeup Artist at Aveda Spa and then a year later moved to Gauthier Total Image Spa. His artistry evolution took off at M·A·C Cosmetics, where he spent eleven years carefully honing his technique and artistry.
Andrew developed an unerring eye for understanding and translating beauty. While at M·A·C Cosmetics, he quickly moved up the ranks and became a part of the management team, where he spearheaded M·A·C’s globally recognized education programs to overseeing department store accounts including the Los Angeles flagship store. He coordinated events, and developed trend-based looks—all further positioning him to be an industry leader.
Andrew has created signature looks for some of Hollywood’s brightest stars including Lady Gaga, Michelle Williams, RuPaul, Demi Levato, Neil Patrick Harris & Carmen Electra. As a makeup artist on ”Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” Andrew regularly created the sisters red carpet ready looks and at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, he was the key makeup artist for Florence and the Machine, including applying avatar-like body makeup for her radiant dancers.
As the National Makeup Artist for Anastasia Beverly Hills for four years, Andrew brought his unique passion and talent to a new platform. After 15 years of Retail Cosmetics while freelancing and growing his portfolio he decided to go independent and open his first salon suite. Andrew also appeared on the hit Lifetime Reality competition show “American Beauty Star” and made it as a finalist to the Top Three. Now Andrew has a 1600 square foot full functioning salon and spa in Glendale, California where he still takes clients while traveling for editorials, TV, and Film projects. Subscribe to Andrew’s theory of balanced eyebrows and natural beauty. Andrew is guiding seasonal trends, while educating women and men across the globe on how to bring about the perfect marriage of beauty proportion and balance through their makeup, eyebrows, and hairstyle to look—and feel—their best.
