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

Hi Michelle, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
To be completely honest I actually fell into what feels like an accident but I’m a firm believer that the universe doesn’t make mistakes. Straight out of high school I was working at Rick Case Honda as an auto mechanic. So I knew I was good at working with my hands. I kept getting offers for photoshoots and music videos. I gave it a shot with my agency at the time which was A Dream Group owned by Angelina Petraglia. This is also when Instagram was relatively new and that’s the moment the #themodelmechanic was born. I enjoyed getting glam and being in front of the camera. I’ve never had a professional do my makeup until I was on these sets. One thing Angelina taught me is to invest in my appearance. So I quickly started surfing YouTube and ran to my nearest drugstore and started practicing on myself late at night. So if I messed up I can just wash it off. Just in case I couldn’t hire a professional I had a look I can pull out of my arsenal. Fast forward two years later my old roommate actually gave me the idea to actually take this creative skill and turn it into a professional career. She says “ You spend so much money when we go to Sephora! You should start charging even if it’s $20”. So I started doing friends and reaching out to all photographers, directors and models I’ve worked with in the past with my modeling career. Started building my makeup kit. Doing makeup is a transfer of energy. I can feel the confident energy after every client. I loved it! It didn’t feel like it was a job at all. Which was one of my goals after leaving Honda. I wanted to learn more and be the best in my industry and the only way to do that is to be obsessed with it. I applied at Sephora five times before I even had an interview. Finally I received an email saying “You’re hired!” I quickly accepted. I was able to train with some of the most sought after brands like Dior and Pat Mcgrath as well as global makeup artists in my industry. Being able to work on a variety of women and men from different ages and races my artistry quickly began to grow. I felt so passionate and happy where my career was but I wanted more and felt like this wasn’t my final stop. My ex boyfriend at the time put a bug in my ear saying “you’ll kill it if you move to LA”. I picked up and moved to Los Angeles without hesitation. I didn’t even tell my mom till a week before I moved. I was only 25 years old and felt like what’s the worst that can happen? I can always move back home. I guess that’s the Aries in me. I’m happy I was able to just fall into my passion which has continued to blossom into what you guys see today. Moral of the story is do what makes you happy and the money will come.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I moved from Miami to Los Angeles just like all other creative minds and I had multiple jobs just to be able to afford my lifestyle. In Miami I was working at Sephora during the day, a bottle service waitress at night, and on the weekends I would take appointments at a Miami salon called Wynwood Salon. I really did makeup as a side hustle/hobby. Once I made the decision to move to LA to make my makeup career my main focus, I transferred with Sephora and quit everything else. I quickly realized I couldn’t afford to live in LA with what I was making just at Sephora. So I started working at a restaurant called Javier’s for some extra cash. What I failed to realize is I had no availability or energy to take clients or opportunities that were coming my way. I had to request time off from my boss every time something arose but wasn’t always granted. Boom the pandemic hit. I sat down and had a real conversation with myself and really just wanted to focus on what makes me happy. I feel like a lot of us had conversations with ourselves during the pandemic. I quit everything again and just focused on makeup. I started working with top models and influencers like Carmen Ortega @Carmenortega and Cj Sparxx @Cjsparxx doing photoshoots, ads and events. Shortly after I was contacted by George, the owner of Entertainment world @entertainmentworldhdmgt. I was blessed with the opportunity to be able to glam and travel with the company and some top models like Kindly Myers @kindly  Lizzy Acosta @lizzyaacosta, Lynnie Marie @misslynniemarie and Holly Baker @hollybakerofficial just to name a few. Having experiences like this made me realize this is my calling. To travel the world and do what I love. I provide a luxury service and give 110% to all my clients. Being on set has made me realize how much a ripple effect my efforts and positive energy will contribute to the success of the shoot. My best friend Anais Gornail @lashloungemia kept her foot on neck to make a vision board. So I finally made one. From that point on, doors just started flying open.

One major milestone in my career that has made me feel the most proud of myself is being a part of a Playboy Denmark cover shoot. Featuring model @Missmariesinclair, photographer Ryan Dwyer @letshoot and PR Luis Rodriguez  @mainstreetproductions . I remember making my vision board with a sticky note reading “Be published in Playboy and get a fat check” I really manifested that. If you can think it, it will happen. A famous quote from Bob Proctor “Thoughts become things. If you see it in your mind, you will hold it in your hand.” Remember to think BIG and to always be grateful.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my friend was visiting me first things first we’re stopping at In and Out! Animal style fries are a must! Next I would take my friend to all the makeup stores in la which I feel like should be a given. Namie’s, Nigel’s, Friends, Beauty Creations, Morphe. Then I would take you to all the popular boutiques we see on instagram like Fashion nova and Sorella. One day we can hike to the Hollywood sign and manifest our goals. Last but not least I would take you to eat some of my favorite foods you can’t really find in Miami. Some examples include LA street tacos, Lala’ Argentine grill and Bossa nova. Last but not least, content! If you’re hanging with me, we’re getting the shot! Not just for instagram but I love capturing moments that we can look back on and show our future kids.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I would love to dedicate this interview to all my clients, photographers and companies who have trusted me bringing all their visions to reality. Without you guys believing in me I would have nothing! Forever grateful for all the opportunities and to be able to work with such amazing creatives! Please follow them.

@Angelina305, @carmenortega,@cjsparxx, @entertainmentworld,@kindly,@lizzyaacosta,@misslynniemarie,@hollybakeroficial,@lashloungemia,@missmariesinclair,@ohlakay,@andykandy,@letshoot,@mainstreetproductions,@sebby_raw,@playboy,@aaron_roams,@stateofrachel,@baddogphoto,@michibikinis,@visualpoison,@mandalinephotography,@interscopephotography,@smulderphotography,@rlbphoto88,@fulephoto,@_steph.paul_,@theladycodeshop,@beautybyladycode,@sorella,@erabeauty

Instagram: @Michellecuevasmua

Youtube: Glamlashtv

Image Credits
All playboy images photographer is Ryan Dwyer Rest are iphone pictures

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