Daily Inspiration: Meet Celia Espinal

Today we’d like to introduce you to Celia Espinal. 

Hi Celia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Celia Espinal and I am 39 years old. I am a single mom of two teenage boys and I had breast cancer during the pandemic. As a young woman, I never thought that I would ever have to go through chemotherapy and radiation. It definitely was an eye-opening experience, especially during a pandemic. I’ve been doing makeup for over 18 years and I found myself always being the one having to uplift others, especially on big days like their weddings and birthdays. I’ve had to learn how to cope with different things that have happened in my life. I got very sick when I was about 18 years old and was able to recuperate from my health issues. Which I feel was kind of prepping me on what was to come. My mom had suffered from kidney failure so I had seen how fast her body declined at such a young age. My youngest son was diagnosed with aplastic anemia when he was 6 years old and we’ve been going through the ups and downs of that illness. Throughout my adversity and ups and downs, I was able to give back to my community and to the children where my son went to receive treatments. I was able to bring in a team of hairstylist, barbers, nail techs, masseuse, and many volunteers to Cohen’s children’s hospital located in New Hyde Park, New York. We would bring toys, toiletries, gift cards, goodie bags, and provide services for their parents. After dealing with my breast cancer, I was able to gear my focus into helping younger women that get diagnosed with breast cancer at a very young age. I’ve partnered with some local women that also have survived and are advocating for early detection and prevention. Soon as I was done with my treatments, I decided to open a makeup studio. I felt like I had no time to waste. I now had a new outlook on life and I was ready to create a space where people that are going through different kinds of treatments that are losing their hair for whatever reason, personal, whatever it is, I’m able to help them feel a little better about themselves and feel a little normal in their everyday lives. I’ve been able to get several wig donations from different companies and give them a way to various young girls as well as older women that are going through treatments. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. As a single mom, I find myself always trying to make a dollar out of $0.15 and I had to become very savvy and resourceful. I felt like because I was a single mom, I was starting 10 ft behind everyone else. My children definitely motivated me to keep going and keep pushing. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been working as a makeup artist in the film industry for the past 18 years. There are so many branches to make up that I’ve had the pleasure of learning all kinds of makeup application. My passion is definitely film and I’ve been able to learn so much along the way. I currently specialize in all types of makeup, especially for film and television. I do also have personal regular clients that have become family. I get to share all their special moments like weddings and baby showers. I’m definitely known in the industry as more of a natural makeup artist. I love enhancing women’s natural beauty without having to use so much makeup and also teaching them how to achieve their looks at home. I specialize in education. It is very important that all artists know how to apply makeup on all skin tones. I’ve been training a few artists the past few years and it feels great to see them grow. Definitely a proud moment. I believe my versatility is definitely what sets me apart from others. I’m able to handle a lot of different types of situations due to all of the experience that I’ve had these past 18 years. 

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I’ve definitely had to learn many lessons due to the COVID 19 crisis. My first lesson would definitely be that time is of the essence and it’s very short. We lost so many people due to COVID-19 and it feels very much like a surreal event that happened almost like a dream. Going through breast cancer during COVID-19 was definitely not easy and my children were the main reason why I’m still here. They were able to help me during the worst time of my life. I don’t take life for granted anymore. I live life to the fullest and plan to continue growing my business in the makeup industry. 

Contact Info:

• Email: mubyceliaaurora@gmail.com
• Website: www.CeliaAurora.com
• Instagram: @brushedbyceliaaurora
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrushedByCeliaAurora/
• Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm2370435/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0