MAKING DIFFICULT LOOK EASY WRITTEN BY KEVIN JAMES JEFFERY PHOTOS COURTESY OF MERCEDES GRAMAJO Shalini Srivastava
Mercedes Gramajo has Found Success in Beauty, but It’s Not Always Smooth Sailing
N ow a pro makeup artist, educator, and creative that works in California and throughout the world, Mercedes Gramajo’s passion for her craft started at a young age. As a musical theater kid, she always gravitated toward the hair and makeup aspect of the show. “My favorite part of a big show would be the ‘getting ready’ part right before a performance,” she told TrooRa. “It always felt so good, relaxing, even therapeutic.” When it came to the people Gramajo looked to for inspiration and influence, she credits the women that raised her, specifically her grandmother. “She never had an off day. Her lipstick was always ON, and I loved watching her get ready in the mornings,” she says. “It’s safe to say the women who raised me were the most confident after a little blush and lipstick.” Even though Gramajo’s love for all things beauty came at a young age, her family didn’t always support her chosen field, which made navigating and learning how to run her business much more difficult. But over time, she taught herself how to create relationships and networks that would help expand her social and professional audience. Even more, she learned how to wear many hats as her own boss. Getting started was never easy for Gramajo, but from day one, she began getting as much training and exposure to makeup
Mercedes Gramajo
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