Conversations with Tiina Valenzuela

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiina Valenzuela.

Hi Tiina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi My name is Cristina Valenzuela but most know me as Tiina. I am a 32 year old San Luis Valley native as well as a Stay at home mom to five amazing boys. When I am not in mommy mode I am a self taught Makeup artist owner and creator of Bonita-Minkz. My love curiosity for makeup has always been a way to express myself as an artist and others when words cannot. I started off as a makeup enthusiast in 2017 and began my journey with makeup by learning everything that has to do with this art and shortly a couple years later I started my freelance career as self taught Mua in mid 2019. As a makeup artist I have learned so much when it comes to makeup different styles, trends as well as different traditions and cultural customs. There is never a dull moment when it comes to makeup your always learning something different like certain techniques, trends as well as the use of your own hands and tools. I have been able to achieve all of this by attending special classes and seminars alongside perfecting old and new techniques. I am very grateful to be able to provide my knowledge and what ive learn along the way to the San Luis Valley community and for giving me the opportunity to express myself as an artist and business owner of Bonita-Minkz. What I love the most is being able to witness the level of confidence my clients get in my chair right after their makeup experience. I always find a way to make their experience in my chair uniquely tailored to them. I am mostly thankful to be able to work with so many unique people alongside building amazing relationships with all my clients. I would like to personally thank all my clients as well as my amazing community for the unconditional support I receive not only as a artist but as a small business owner without them and my amazing family and friends I wouldn’t be the artist and person I am today I look forward to seeing what Bonita-Minkz becomes in the future along with meeting all the many more clients to come my way!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Since starting my makeup business, people have this stigma about makeup artists that make them think there is no true hard work and dedication behind knowing what a makeup artist really is. I feel that most people who are in the same profession that i am in don’t really talk about the obstacles that we endure on a regular basis until we are able to have somebody who is a skeptical in our chair and change thier perspective on our knowledge, time and professionalism, so no it has not been easy I feel as human beings there will always be things that we struggle with some more than others but that’s what makes us human. Another thing that most artist like myself don’t really talk about is the true discipline one as an artist must have to perfect one’s craft as well as the true dedication it takes to do what you love at the end of it all there will always be somebody younger and better than you are but that shouldn’t stop you from starting your dream.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
For the ones who don’t know me on a personal level the way my clients do, I am a proud second generation mexican- American entrepreneur as well as a freelance makeup artist in the San Luis Valley. I specialize in vibrant colors and bold looks that focus on the eyes of all my clients who sit in my chair. Things that I would say I am most known for is for my creativity as an artist, I like to break the rules and overcome barriers that people have in thier mind on what the correct way of doing makeup is I would also say that my recollection of detail is they key to all my success. What I am most proud of is being able to start my own makeup business the slv where limited beauty services are provided especially for our youth another big accomplishment that I am most proud of is when I am not busy glamming my clients up I’m busy studying new things taking new courses and learning hands on new techniques that are currently trending in the beauty industry. I also teach self application classes for all my clients who are wanting to learn more about the use of makeup or for those who are wanting to start thier own makeup journeys. I have always wanted a introduction to makeup the way I provide for my clients and now that I get to do that is definitely a dream come true I have always worked my hardest for my community as well as my clients because without them I wouldnt be walking into the opportunity’s I’m currently in today. Makeup isn’t about changing your whole identity it’s about enhancing the beauty we already have within. Things that i would say set me apart from other makeup artists is that I take my tittle as a M.U.A very seriously. When you are in the same profession as I’m in you have to come with full dedication in the work you provide you can’t put your name on sloppy and lazy work, makeup isn’t just about lipsticks eyeshadow and brushes it’s about a lifestyle you create for yourself as well as others. Any person off the street can pick up a brush and call themselves a artist but it takes the right person to break barriers to be a makeup artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://book.heygoldie.com/Bonita-Minkz
• Instagram: @Tiinav_mua
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AVCfzoHya/

Image Credits
Yulisa Moreno Muñoz

Ramsey boeckholt

Bonita minkz ( myself)