We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cesar Lira. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cesar below.
Hi Cesar, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Growing up I struggled with a lot. I was a heavier kid. So my whole life I had gotten bullied. I had went through many issues such as an eating disorder and self harm, and body dysmorphia. When I came out as gay, where I’m from it wasn’t the most accepted thing so it was a struggle for a while, people made fun of me for being “the gay fat kid” the one who couldn’t defend himself but still walked with a big smile. I would go home and cry after school almost everyday. But then I picked up a makeup brush one day so randomly and it felt so right. So then I started to wear makeup and soon before that makeup had became my alter ego and that’s where “Ceejayglam” had came from. I was the most confident and yet controversial at my school because I just stopped caring what people would think. So I learned how to love myself with and without makeup through makeup.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Hi everyone! My name is Ceejay and on instagram I go by @ceejayglam/ @beatbyceejay. I am a 23 year old makeup artist based in DFW Texas. I originally started doing makeup on myself when I was 15 years old and it was to help me with my mental health, doing my own makeup was peaceful to me and put me in my own little world. As I do struggle with mental health. I eventually started doing makeup on clients because I thought if this makes me feel so confident how could I make other people feel. When I started freelancing and seeing people reactions when I was done was just an out of this world feeling. It felt like love and comfort. My biggest goal with my brand it to continue to grow and be able to expand myself everywhere, as well as starting my own brand which will be coming summer of 2024.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think the three qualities/ skills that helped me in my journey were patience, kindness, and authenticity.
One piece of advice I will give anyone starting in any industry especially the beauty industry is stay patient, humbled, and kind. Focused on what you are doing and do not pay attention to everyone else around you. Most importantly don’t compare yourself to anyone skills take time to perfect.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was always being my number one supporters. My parents have always supported me through everything I have done. When I told my mom I wanted to start doing makeup she said okay son let’s order you some palettes to start playing with. Till this day I remember my very first palette was the Morphe 35o. My dad would always defend me when my more conservative family would make comments about me being a boy in makeup or just anything disrespectful. But that’s a whole different story that comes down to culture.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beatbyceejay.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beatbyceejay/
- Facebook: Ceejay lira
- Youtube: Ceejay glam
Image Credits
Professional Black and White photos by @paytonjacksonmedia on Instagram
