Story & Lesson Highlights with Natalie Contrera of West Philly

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Natalie Contrera. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
Yeah, absolutely. As a makeup artist, it’s tempting to jump at every low-paying or for lack of better word, sketchy gig when things are slow. But honestly, I’ve learned that saying no can be just as powerful as saying yes. The times I held back and passed on those red-flag jobs, something better always showed up right after. It’s not easy to wait it out, but I’m glad I didn’t move fast just for the sake of staying busy. I’d rather value my craft and take the right opportunities than burn out on the wrong ones.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Natalie Contrera, a makeup artist and creative director, who thrives on creating looks that actually feel like you. My style is polished and professional with a slight romantic vibe. My brand is built on celebrating all cultures. Right now, I’m focused on expanding into more long-form projects like campaigns and brand partnerships, while still trying to keep space for the one-on-one education clients and headshot sessions. Beauty is culture. Celebrate together.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a little Arab American girl with bushy eyebrows, whole, and enough. For a long time, I carried the weight of not feeling Arab *enough* or American *enough*, this enough or that enough, kind of always stuck in the middle, always chasing approval. But now I’m back to myself. I’m unapologetic. I’m in love with my culture. I don’t waste energy on xenophobic people who can’t see beauty beyond their own narrow lens. Who I was before the world tried to edit me was *me” and that’s exactly who I’m proud to be again.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Plenty of times. Wedding season used to burn me out hard AF. Mostly because I was constantly battling people’s insecurities and their obsession with looking like an Instagram filter. It sucked the joy out of the work. My brides were always chill..it was the bridal party, the moms, the guests, people who didn’t work with me before. I realized it wasn’t that I needed to give up, it was that I needed to pivot. Bridal wasn’t for me. What actually lights me up is commercial and production work (or education) spaces. Once I shifted completely into that lane, I stopped thinking about giving up and started thinking about what’s next.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
OMG, yes. People always say, ‘you’re exactly like your IG,’ and I never know if that’s supposed to be a compliment or a warning. But honestly, F it, I’ll take it. I don’t have the energy to put on a separate internet persona. What you see online is exactly what you’ll get in person, sarcasm included.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
This is tough. I hope the story people tell about me is that I was real. Not in a “real recognize real” Pinterest way, but that I didn’t waste time pretending to be someone I wasn’t, or shrinking myself down to make others comfortable. I want people to say I was humbly not humble. I am a Gemini so humbly not humble is in our sign. Honestly, that I knew my worth but depsite me, still had room to show up for others. Production is not about one person. And, honestly, it’s not about the work I created, makeup artist isn’t rocket science. I want to leave behind a world of people I lifted, supported, and stood beside when they needed it. If the story is I drank too much matcha, laughed till I cried, watched bad reality tv but supported my friends through the good and bad.. I’m happy.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Rosilianny M Photo
Photos of Me: Alicia Wiley at Mango Marketing Co

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?

Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we

Highlighter Series
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?

Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than