Meet Zenia Zalavarria of Zenia Z Beauty

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zenia Zalavarria.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in a beautiful beach city on the north coast of Honduras called La Ceiba. I came to the U.S. at the age of 15 and made North Carolina my home. I am now 34 years-old and makeup has been a part of me ever since I can remember. I have always been into beauty. However, my dad would not allow me to wear makeup until I was older. That never stopped me from using my mom’s makeup when they were not home though.

I started doing pageants while in high school and it forced me to really learn how to do my own makeup. So I did. I watched countless YouTube videos and taught myself how to do a pageant makeup look. Then all my friends thought it looked good enough and started asking me to do their makeup. After a few years, I thought I could do makeup on the side while I was going to college to earn some extra money. I eventually went on to work in the corporate world but I never stopped doing makeup. In every version of me the art and love for makeup has been a constant.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For most people, 2020 was a marker in time that we will never forget. Right at the peak of COVID I became pregnant with my son and had many health difficulties. Also, the wedding and events industry took a big hit and everything got cancelled until further notice. I quit my job to take care of my health, as I was expecting. Once my son was born I became a stay-at-home mom while also helping my husband with his business. I stopped taking clients because at the time it felt like it was too much on my plate and the makeup industry seemed oversaturated. I thought it no longer held a place for me.

I suffered from post-partum depression for more time than I would like to admit. Thankfully, I got help and slowly but surely got back to my new self. See, motherhood was a catharsis for me. I had let motherhood and PPD hold me back when in reality I had an opportunity to define myself anew. I dusted off my brushes and reinvented myself as an artist with new inspiration and motivation. I am inspired by womanhood and embracing the beauty of every stage of our lives. Finding ourselves again and again because change is inevitable.

I started taking clients again this year and really establishing my business. The biggest challenge for me has been finding my footing in the social media world. It is no secret that in almost every business, social media presence matters and I want to make content that matters. I am still figuring out how it all exactly works. It is very easy to compare yourself to other artists (especially online) and I am trying not to do that because I know everyone’s journey is different.

I am very grateful to be able to do something I truly am passionate about everyday.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am certified makeup artist. I offer services to brides, bridesmaids, bridal party, quinceaneras, maternity shoots, engagement events, and editorial. I specialize in soft and full glam looks. I am so proud of being part of the beauty industry. As a makeup artist, I get to be part of people’s most memorable days and I get to bring out their inner beauty and reflect it on the outside. I believe every one deserves to feel special and to feel taken care of. I always try to connect with my clients in a way that makes us feel like we are all in doing this life thing together and that we are not alone in our joys and struggles.

What are your plans for the future?
My immediate goal is to expand my portfolio and continue to find my signature style. In the long run, I would love to teach makeup classes to beginners who just want to learn the basics and eventually also teach masterclasses to other upcoming makeup artists. I would love to get to a point where I can mentor others on how to establish their business in the beauty world. It has never been and will never be about competition for me. I want everyone who is brave enough to follow their heart and do that thing that they love to be successful at it because it takes a lot of courage to do so. Who knows, maybe someday also start a cosmetics brands. The possibilities are endless.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeniazbeauty/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZeniaZ.Beauty