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Conversations with the Inspiring Bre Cardenas

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Bre Cardenas.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Bre. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have been doing makeup for 8 years and brows for five. I started out doing makeup on the side for a few friend’s weddings after we graduated high school. At the time, I was working at a pawn shop. Though it was fun and eventful, my passion was to help women look and feel beautiful. While working, I went to school to get my esthetician license and eventually started working at a skincare and makeup studio in Cherry Creek for two years. From there, I moved on to become an eyebrow specialist at the Anastasia Beverly Hills brow studio inside Nordstrom at Park Meadows where I did eyebrow shaping for another three years.

Being able to work for myself was always the mission. After building a solid clientele, I decided it was time to take the plunge! I opened my own brow and beauty studio this year across from DU. Moving business from Lonetree to Denver was a little scary but I’m so glad I did. I wanted my studio to be more central and easily accessible from all over the Denver area.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely has not always been a smooth road. I have been very fortunate for the opportunities I have had in building my career, but I put in a lot of hard work and have had to move past certain anxieties.

My early days at the Anastasia brow studio were quiet. I had a handful of clients that followed me from Cherry Creek and a few new ones because of the reputation but was not booking enough clients to stay busy. I networked with a lot of the store employees from different departments and had to earn the trust of my clients. It takes a lot of trust to let someone put hot wax on your face knowing they won’t burn or remove a chunk of an eyebrow. At the same time, I was doing makeup whenever I possibly could. Lots of times I did makeup at the studio, worked weekends assisting with makeup for weddings, booked my own wedding clients, and did makeup for photoshoots.

I think that many people feel they should be an extrovert in order to survive in this industry. Whether that’s true or not, that has been one of the obstacles I’ve faced. Don’t get me wrong, I love working with people and to have your own brow studio and be a makeup artist you have to love working with people. For me, the hardest part is putting myself out there and getting past my social anxieties whether that be networking, reaching out to someone about a potential collaboration or social media. I am not an extrovert, but I’m not completely introverted either.

Overcoming these social anxieties has allowed me to meet so many amazing people, work local events like Denver Fashion week, and open my own brow and beauty studio!

I would say that this journey is all about never settling for comfortable. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. If you are unhappy or just want something more, step out of your comfort zone and do something that scares you!

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I opened my own brow and beauty studio this year where I do makeup and specialize in all things eyebrows! I ensure each client gets a brow shape tailored to their bone structure and facial proportions using the golden ratio. There is a science to brow shaping. I do makeup on-location for weddings, photoshoots, special events, as well as special effects makeup and individual makeup lessons. My mission is to elevate each client’s natural beauty while creating an inviting luxury experience.

Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Practice makes perfect! Super cliché but true. Say yes to as many opportunities as you can and try to assist another artist that may need an extra hand. You will gain more knowledge through experience, be it good or bad, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Networking is so important but can be really intimidating. I have found a few good women network groups through facebook and Instagram in Denver that is so awesome!

Pricing:

  • Eyebrow Shaping $30
  • Eyebrow Shaping with Tint $50
  • Eyebrow Tinting $25
  • Eyelash Tinting $25
  • Elleebana Eyelash Lift with Tint $90
  • Makeup starting at $85

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Mackenzie Nemeth-Suko

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