Our new makeup assistant, Liz!

 

“Here is a perfect example of always putting your best face forward. I met Liz at the Mohegan Sun Bridal Show. Her makeup was flawless! I couldn’t help but blurt out, your makeup is amazing…come work for me. She ironically was also the random selected winner of the free trial. So yes, she is a future KiSSandMaKeUp bride too!”

Welcome Liz to our CT Wedding Hair and Makeup Team!

 

I was born in the Philippines and immigrated to America when I was 4 years old with very humble beginnings. I grew up in Groton / Mystic CT with a family of 5. I have two older brothers,  which being the only girl made me into a tomboy for a better part of my teen years. I was constantly playing sports and hung out with the guys. I loved playing rough and getting dirty. When I look back at the person I was then and how I present myself now; I never would have imagined that tomboy becoming the girly girl I am today. I always had a passion for art and would participate in after school drawing classes or compete in art shows when I wasn’t in volleyball or taking karate classes. At the time I didn’t realize that my love for sketching and painting could later translate into makeup.

In the Fall of 2011 I attended my first semester at the Saint Joseph College (an all women’s school), which is now the University of Saint Joseph (and is now co-ed). Going to an all girls school we spent 50% of our time wearing sweats, yoga pants, and some form of  PINK hoodie (bra optional). It was a miracle if you saw someone in a pair of jeans with some mascara during the day time. The other half of the time was spent getting ready to go out to the clubs or the bars. It was here that I truly dove deep into the world of beauty. Every night we went out I would always apply my favorite black eyeliner, some mascara and some chapstick and in my mind I was looking fabulous. It wasn’t until one night a girlfriend of mine offered to do my makeup for me and to my surprise I transformed me into a flawless beauty. I had never seen my face look so good before. I loved how the jewel toned eyeshadows blended together seamlessly and how the bronzer brought such warmth and dimension to my face. From that moment I realized how makeup could transform a person’s face into a canvas. I started watching tons of youtube videos and going out to the drugstore and buying makeup to practice. Eventually I became addicted to playing with different products and trying different looks. I even got good enough that some of my girlfriends asked me to do their own makeup before going out. My little hobby became a passion as I continued to express my creativity through the various looks I was able to create

I finished nursing school in the Spring of 2015 and got a job at Saint Francis Hospital where I work now as an ICU nurse on the night shift. I love my job especially for the intellectual and emotional challenges that it provides, but it does not leave much room for creativity. In the medical word policy and procedures are a way of life. The job requires you not be afraid to get messy and be ready for any trauma or unstable patient that comes to our unit. The job is certainly not glamorous by any means, so when I get out of my scrubs and put on makeup I almost feel like a totally different person. I love that through beauty and makeup, even on my worst days, I can bring life and freshness back into my face.

My background is primarily in bridal and prom looks that range anywhere from full glam to soft and natural. I love making women feel beautiful and at their best for any special occasion. My goal is to accentuate their best features and bring out their confidence. When I’m with my clients I want them to experience that “ah-ha” moment where they can look at themselves in the mirror and feel like she is the prettiest girl in the room. I’m really excited to be able to work with Pam and Kiss&Makeup to continue to hone my skills and express my creativity. I would have never thought that the girl who only used eyeliner and chapstick would become a makeup artist. It is truly a privilege to be able to come full circle through this process and to work in two different professions that make people feel good inside and out.