Hot Rods and Heels Texas Hair and Makeup Artist of the Year Rocio Vielma sat down with us to discuss Vi-Ve, NYC fashion week, artistry, and common makeup mistakes.
Did you always know you wanted a career in the arts?
Absolutely! My first passion was architecture (which I still love), then I was introduced to contemporary dance and fell in love. I have always been exposed to the arts.
What’s your training background? Did you attend school, apprentice someone, both?
I attended cosmetology school in Dallas back in ’03, learned hair (all about the “pin curls”) among many other things I am able to use now.
For Makeup I must say, besides the little they covered in school, I am pretty much self taught .
How did you make the transition to a full time hair & make-up artist? Describe how you got your start.
Always wanted to become a makeup artist! Always!!
Almost four years ago I told myself to go for it whatever it would take to get where I hope one day I can be , so far it has worked and I am so fortunate to have come across wonderful people that had helped me tremendously along this ride.
When did you found Vi-Ve Makeup and what’s the story behind the name?
Vi-Ve makeup was founded on August of 2005 almost 4 years ago.
As many people may know , I was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico. We do use our full names including father’s and mother’s first last names , which in my case my last names are Vielma Vera, therefore, I took the first syllables from each last name and became Vi-Ve, I thought it would make my parents happy…and it worked!
What’s the best thing about owning your own business? What’s the hardest thing?
The hardest is the scheduling, being a mother of three wonderful cubs and trying my hardest to juggle all their activities and my work!
The easiest is not only being your own boss, to me is to be able to really do what you love to do , being aware of the challenges and still have the motivation to keep going since this is what I wanted to do when I grew up after all 🙂
You go out of your way not to pigeon-hole yourself as only doing one particular style of hair & make-up (ie. just pin-up). Why is diversity so important?
What a blessing for those who are willing to step out of the box and take risks to be able to grow professionally why not?! It is phenomenal!
If I only did pinup I wouldn’t be represented by an agency that’s just the plain truth, I wouldn’t be able to get all the work I do, doing Hair and Makeup has most definitely helped to increase my work .
As I stated before, “do not limit yourself , this beautiful profession is a never ending learning process, embrace it.”
Where do you get your inspiration?
Everywhere and everything! The internet is such a fantastic fountain of information nowadays for example, you can go and watch NY fashion week as its happening! I read a lot read, read, read, and more reading. Trust me, we need to study everything that can help us make our job easier.
What is your dream assignment?
Assignments! Haha !
The day I get to do Helena Bonham Carter, Cate Blanchett, Monicca Belucci, Audrey Tautou, Natalie Portman, Winona Ryder’s hair or makeup , that will be the day I will be in heaven!!!
What’s one common make-up mistake that women make?
I’ll give you a few:
-Fall for just one brand name.
-Being convinced that a makeup artist can make you look like the “A-lister” that looks nothing like you.
-Getting stuck in the best decade of your life.
How important are brand names? Is it important to get a certain brand of makeup?
Today we are exposed to so many different brands, and some of them have an amazing networking power over the general public, however doesn’t necessary means it is the best. Let me just take a minute to give advice about the true meaning of a freelancer, it means they work on their own , not for a brand name , when you come across with someone mentioning “I am a freelancer for X brand name”, no, there’s no such a thing! That person works for a company therefore they will do their best to sell you that brand , if you come across a true freelancer , they wont try to sell you anything! They will offer a general brand outlook and advice.
What is your advice for gals (and guys) who want to pursue a career as a hair & make-up artist for print work?
When I joined the cosmetology school I recall the teacher asking everyone of us what we wanted to do after graduation. After all, people change opinions and goals all the time and is valid, when it was my turn I said “I want to do makeup” everyone of course laughed and the teacher said what are you doing here? I said, “I want to be able to offer as much diversity on my work as I can if I can offer hair and makeup I will be able to get more work.”
From my entire class (36 people), I am one of three people who are still fulfilling our goal!
You will find so many challenges; be ready for them and take them as another class; in this never ending learning experience is a beautiful career!
What does the future hold for Vi-Ve Makeup and Rocio?
Hey I am just a makeup artist not a psychic! Hopefully we keep growing professionally and as a person so I can take anything and still act chilled about it …