Lina: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. I would love to get to know you, so tell us about you! Who is Rokael? Where are you from and what did you do before you became a makeup artist?
Rokael: I am a Celebrity makeup artist based in Los Angeles, I was originally born in Durango, Mexico and immigrated to the United States when I was 4 years old. I started working at the age of 17 and worked a string of jobs from being a Busboy at a restaurant all the way to Janitorial work until the age of 24 when I finally began to work as a makeup artist at MAC.
Lina: What inspired you to start a career in makeup? When did you start? Was there ever a time you wanted to quit and how did you overcome that?
Rokael: I've always had a love for fashion and beauty since I was a kid I would try to recreate music videos with my little sisters as the models lol, I would do my friends hair and makeup so I feel like I would eventually at some point do it as a career but since I was an immigrant I couldn't get my cosmetology license and once I got my residency I was able to apply for beauty college and once I went to beauty school I knew that was my calling and that I would do this for the rest of my life. There was definitely times that I wanted to quit but deep down inside I knew that God had called me to this industry so that would keep me going.
Lina: How did you get your start with working with celebrities? What was the most pivotal moment that opened that door for you?
Rokael: I got my start working with celebrities through my friend and childhood neighbor Jesse Ruano (Love You Boo! Haha) he went to FIDM and got an internship as a wardrobe stylist and he connected me with the makeup artists at TV Guide and they would send me out to jobs that they couldn't take and that really got my foot in the industry. The most pivotal moment for me was when I got the call to work with Beyonce, My friend Lala Anthony connected me with Kelly Rowland and I did makeup for her and her mom Tina Knowles and two days later I got the call to work with Bey and the rest is HIStory :)
Lina: You are known for the amazing glam looks that you have done on Beyonce. Were you nervous the first time you ever worked with her? What can you tell us about that experience?
Lina: How did you get your start with working with celebrities? What was the most pivotal moment that opened that door for you?
Rokael: I got my start working with celebrities through my friend and childhood neighbor Jesse Ruano (Love You Boo! Haha) he went to FIDM and got an internship as a wardrobe stylist and he connected me with the makeup artists at TV Guide and they would send me out to jobs that they couldn't take and that really got my foot in the industry. The most pivotal moment for me was when I got the call to work with Beyonce, My friend Lala Anthony connected me with Kelly Rowland and I did makeup for her and her mom Tina Knowles and two days later I got the call to work with Bey and the rest is HIStory :)
Lina: You are known for the amazing glam looks that you have done on Beyonce. Were you nervous the first time you ever worked with her? What can you tell us about that experience?
Rokael: I actually wasn't nervous when I first met her she has such a calming energy and is so grounded that I felt super comfortable.
Lina: Anyone working in the beauty industry knows the hard work that goes into being a full time and well sought after makeup artist. What motivates and inspires you to keep going?
Rokael: I have realized that what will keep me going in this industry and keeps me inspired is Purpose. Makeup is just the surface of what we do as makeup artists, we also inspire others in front of us and whatever platforms we are on not just through our art. We sometimes create very deep connections with the people we work with and we are meant to be there for a reason and everyone's purpose is different and unique to their calling.
Lina: What advice would you give to anyone trying to become a professional celebrity makeup artist?
Rokael: My advice to anyone wanting to become a professional makeup artist is that they should have goals and dreams but to not to get discouraged when things aren't going exactly as planned, Sometimes our life paths will lead us in different directions to get us to our dreams and goals and if it is your calling and purpose to be there than God or whatever you believe in will make sure that you accomplish that and more but the secret to getting there is patience, faith and consistency.
Lina: What else can we expect from Rokael in the next few years? Do you have any plans for you and your brand that you can share with us?
Rokael: I am very excited for what's coming from my brand in the next few years, I will launch a few more lash collections and part of my makeup line finally at the top of next year and it is well worth the wait. I was able to create very unique products that I have not seen in the beauty space, And I plan to release later on in the year some unexpected products that aren't necessarily makeup related but still in the beauty category. I have always dreamed of launching my own fragrance and this year I began working on something super special that I am dedicating to my mom, She always knew that was one of my dreams and after her passing it has all come together and lined up so I can't wait to honor her memory through my fragrance and some other launches that I dedicated to her!