Meet Frances Almonte | Professional Makeup Artist

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

Hi Frances, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in the Philippines and my parents brought me here to the US when I was 2. Growing up, I was surrounded by a family of engineers and I wanted to follow in my dads footsteps. At the same time, I was an active child with a passion for dance. With dance practices, came dance competitions and that is where the beginning of my love for makeup started. When college came around, I was in a sorority and lived a very social lifestyle. Being surrounded with a bunch of women wanting to put makeup on each other, I started to play around more. My brother saw my talent and told me I should start doing this for money until I graduated college. He had a friend who owned her own hair & makeup business. That is where I started to trained to do bridal makeup and she has been my mentor ever since. Without my brother seeing my talents and my mentor training me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

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.
Makeup artistry is my passion, specializing in bridal looks while also creating styles for red carpet events and concerts. I celebrate the unique beauty of Asian women, combining classic makeup techniques with modern styles to help my clients look and feel their best on their special days.

My journey hasn’t been easy; like many artists, I faced challenges building a clientele and navigating a competitive industry. I started by volunteering my services for friends and local events, honing my skills and gathering valuable feedback. From there, I joined a hair and makeup team to gain more experience. Networking with other professionals opened doors I wouldn’t have found on my own.

I also balance my makeup career with a full-time job as an electrical engineer, which has taught me resilience and time management. There were times of rejection and self-doubt, but each challenge helped me grow and refine my craft.

What I want the world to know about me is that my work goes beyond makeup. It’s about empowerment, connection, and celebrating individuality. Each client’s story inspires me, and I aim to create looks that enhance beauty and boost confidence, whether on a wedding day, at a concert, or on the red carpet. My brand is built on trust, and I strive to make every woman feel beautiful.

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?
Well, first things first – FOOD. I am a foodie and we will eat our hearts out everyday. We would eat kbbq, hot pot, cajun seafood boil, pho, ramen, and then check out some breweries or drink some boba.

For fun, I usually like to take my friends to the driving range, Round 1 for the claw machine games, and depending if they’re feeling like going out and drinking, we’ll head to a club. You also can’t go wrong with a day trip to Disneyland, which I feel like is a must especially since I am a Disney adult. Depending on the season, I would probably take them to the beach or the mountain to go snowboarding as well.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes – I’d like to shoutout my brother Jeffrey for seeing my talents, Tina who plays such a huge role in where I am today, and lastly my husband, Jeno. My number one supporter through it all.

Instagram: @makeupwithfran

Image Credits
Erichchen, Tiffany Le, Gabriel Guiterrez, Devon Nelwan, Joshua Almonte