Meet Essence Delgado

We were lucky to catch up with Essence Delgado recently and have shared our conversation below.

Essence, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

Building confidence and self-esteem is a continuous journey, one that evolves as life circumstances change. As a Puerto Rican and Greek woman raised in the Bronx, I found that my sense of self and confidence developed later in life. By the time I reached 25, I began to feel the weight of not truly knowing who I was. Despite achieving what others might view as milestones—attending a four-year college, earning good grades, and securing respectable corporate jobs—I realized I was living a life dictated by the expectations of others.

I lacked direction and passion, and my “why” in life felt unclear. It wasn’t until I made the conscious decision to live life on my own terms that I started to cultivate genuine confidence. I began trusting my decisions, understanding my thought processes, and embracing my feelings and emotions, all of which contributed to a healthier self-esteem.

I learned that confidence doesn’t start with outward appearance—it starts within. When you truly appreciate the person you see in the mirror, not for how you look but for how authentically you live your life, that’s when confidence begins to flourish. Living authentically and aligning with my own values has been the key to developing both confidence and self-esteem.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Essence Delgado, and I recently turned 30. Reflecting on my 20s, I feel profoundly grateful because I truly embraced that decade as a time of self-discovery. Growing up, I was always an imaginative and creative child, drawn to anything involving art, projects, and working with my hands—a trait I inherited from my mother. I vividly remember asking her for sketchbooks so I could draw intricate gown designs, confidently declaring that I wanted to be a fashion designer. However, growing up in a traditional, predominantly Hispanic household, creative pursuits like that weren’t the path laid out for me. At the time, I was still young and had plenty of room to explore my passions.

During high school, my journey took an unexpected turn when I began to experience severe acne. Despite visiting countless dermatologists, the issue persisted, and in my search for solutions, I stumbled upon YouTube tutorials on makeup techniques like “full coverage routines” and “how to conceal acne.” I was immediately hooked. Makeup became a tool that not only made me feel beautiful but also reignited my creativity in an entirely new way. My love for makeup continued through high school and college, where I was a competitive cheerleader and enjoyed experimenting with bold, artistic looks for performances. However, in my family’s eyes, becoming a makeup artist was never a “real” career—more of a side hobby. The expectation was to pursue a “respectable” profession, like teaching or medicine.

Even though I held onto my passion for makeup, it remained a personal outlet rather than a professional path. That began to change after COVID-19 when my family decided to move to Florida. I saw the move as an opportunity to reinvent myself and fully commit to my dreams. In the summer of 2021, I enrolled in an esthetician school, finally aligning my career with my love for skincare and makeup. Around the same time, I started working at Sephora, a place that had always felt like a second home to me. This was when I officially launched BAE BEAUTE, a platform to document my journey as a student and showcase the makeup artistry I practiced at Sephora.

After graduating from esthetician school, I sought hands-on experience at a med spa. I vividly remember emailing a spa I had admired since living in New York, simply inquiring about a front desk position to get my foot in the door. To my surprise, I received a callback the same day. That initial opportunity eventually led to me becoming the spa’s second esthetician. However, as much as I appreciated my time in Florida, I felt a strong pull to return to New York City—the City of Dreams—where I believed I could fully pursue my passion for makeup.

In 2022, I made the leap. I prayed for clarity and applied for a job in New York, telling myself that if it was meant to be, the job would come through—and it did. Breaking the news to my family was bittersweet, but by then, they understood my determination to live life on my terms. Returning to NYC felt different this time; I had a clear purpose and plan. That summer, I booked my first wedding, and by September, I achieved one of my biggest dreams: working at New York Fashion Week. I was overwhelmed with emotion, realizing how one bold decision had completely changed my life.

Fast forward to today, and my career has flourished. I’ve now worked at NYFW for five consecutive years, collaborated with international supermodels, directed my own photoshoots, and partnered with renowned photographers and stylists. In 2024 alone, I’ve been published as a makeup artist three times—a milestone I’m incredibly proud of. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of my wife, who believed in me from the beginning and even bought me my first professional makeup travel case.

My journey hasn’t always been easy, but it’s a testament to the power of perseverance and authenticity. If there’s one message I hope to leave behind, it’s this: believe in yourself, follow your passions, and trust that with hard work, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Reflecting on my journey, I realize how pivotal certain qualities have been in shaping my growth. While the journey is always ongoing, perseverance has been one of the most impactful. It’s essential to keep going, even when things seem uncertain—because you never truly know what opportunities might be waiting on the other side.

Another critical lesson is the importance of continuous learning. Never assume you know everything. Stay curious, and make it a point to master every technique or skill relevant to your path. Growth comes from a willingness to expand your knowledge and adapt.

Lastly, one of the most profound realizations I’ve had is to focus on and embrace my own journey. Falling in love with your unique path and process is key. Avoid comparing yourself to others, as every journey is different, and your destination may be even better than you imagined. By staying present in your process and committing to being the best version of yourself, you’ll find fulfillment and success in ways that are authentically yours.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal client is YOU, the reader, a person who is insightful, cares about the art, and understands that it’s not just makeup; it’s a session of connection, understanding, and executing your desires to help you look and feel the best you have ever felt!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tr.ee/4jwLVG48bp
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_baebeaute/profilecard/?igsh=NGQzMXY5M2tydDIy

Image Credits

Photographers:
Luis Rodriguez
Jahvan White
Pierre
Leah Nelsen

Models:
Laureen Claire
Luisa Nieto
Jazymn Thomas
Tyshon Lawrence
Franly Dupuy
Alysha Hemani
Erin Malloy
Olga Ptashkova