Ep. 59 | My Origin Story and The Village That Built Me
delina" IT’S ALL ABOUT LOVING AND ENJOYING EVERYTHING YOU DO.
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In this solo episode, you’ll hear me talk about my personal journey into the world of makeup artistry, my early days of learning from online tutorials, my first job interview at MAC Cosmetics, and the mentors who shaped my career.
description:
Hey y’all, this episode is SO special. I take you back to where it all started, back when I was a wide-eyed college girl obsessed with getting a job at MAC Cosmetics. I talk about how talking to people has been about learning makeup from a random website called Expert Village (shoutout to that mystery woman who saved me!) and somehow landing an interview at MAC, even though I barely knew what I was doing.
I share the moments that shaped me and the incredible artists I met-- like my makeup mom, Regina, who literally changed my life, and Edson, who taught me to see makeup as an art form. I talk about the moment I realized that my love for makeup was actually about something much deeper: connection.
This episode is a reminder that when something lights you up, follow it. Even if you don’t know where it’s leading, even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else, trust it. Because that’s how I got here. That’s how I went from holding a makeup brush to holding space for real, deep conversations.
If this episode speaks to you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you love the podcast, leave me a review. I want to know what resonated, what made you feel something. Y’all know I live for connection. Love you so much, and I’ll see you in the next one.
Show Topics:
Learning makeup in the early 2000s and the challenges of limited online resources
The story behind Delina’s first MAC Cosmetics interview
The role of mentors and community in building a career
Building a professional makeup kit and portfolio
Transitioning from a science background to a creative career
The importance of test shoots and networking in the beauty industry
Discovering the deeper purpose behind makeup: connection and storytelling
Embracing uncertainty and following joy in career and life
The evolution from makeup artistry to content creation and podcasting
The value of gratitude, mentorship, and trusting your path
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
00:32 Early days: Making first videos and learning makeup online
01:26 Dreaming of working at MAC Cosmetics
02:26 The struggle to find makeup tutorials (Expert Village)
02:45 Preparing for the MAC interview
03:41 AIM, college days, and finding the job posting
05:09 The first MAC interview experience
05:29 Getting a second interview and discovering a love for interviewing
05:51 The practical test: Doing makeup for the first time
06:50 Getting hired as a holiday freelancer at MAC
07:42 Learning from mentors: Regina and the MAC family
09:09 Building a professional kit and learning business basics
10:18 Meeting Edson and the power of community
11:38 Building a portfolio and the importance of test shoots
14:45 Transitioning from science to makeup: Family expectations
15:34 Discovering career possibilities in makeup
16:00 Meeting expanders and celebrity makeup artists
16:45 The importance of mentors and community
17:19 Realizing makeup is about connection
18:07 Building deep client relationships
18:55 From makeup to content creation and podcasting
19:21 Following joy and trusting the process
20:13 Moving to LA and embracing new opportunities
20:47 Gratitude for the journey and the community
21:32 Final thoughts
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
If you love the episode, please share it with a friend and leave us a review! It means the world to me and helps more people to find and join the community.
Join us by shouting out and celebrating your village by using the hashtag #ShareYourVillage