Meet Norma Monterroza

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Norma Monterroza a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Norma, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

Honestly, I get my work ethic from my parents. They’ve always led by example I saw them put long hours, and always committed even when things got hard, just showing up every day and getting things done, I grew up watching them put in the effort, whether it was at work, or at home. They’ve always worked hard to give my siblings and I everything they could give us, it may not have been much, but we were blessed. My mom is all about doing things the right way, not cutting corners. She’s super detail-oriented and always follows through. My dad’s more of a “just get it done, no excuses” kind of guy. Together, they kind of balanced each other out, and I learned that hard work isn’t just about grinding it’s about doing things with pride and staying consistent. Watching them work hard without ever asking for recognition taught me that real work ethics are about discipline and integrity, not just motivation. I carry that in everything I do.

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

Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my story! I’m deeply passionate about beauty, My Name is Norma Monterroza, I am a professional certified Makeup artist with 10+ years of experience. Mom of two beautiful kids and a wife. I started in the beauty industry in 2014, I have been into makeup since I can remember. I used to see my mom apply her blush and wear lipstick I would be so curious to try it on. I discovered that I wanted to be a professional makeup artist when my sister was getting married and I wanted to do her makeup for her special day without knowing anything about makeup and social media not being a thing back then she trusted me lol, I always wanted to enroll myself into a makeup school, However I either did not have the time due to my full time corporate job, full time mommy of two beautiful kids and a wife, There was no time and could not afford but most of all I was afraid of failure. Fast forward to 2014, that’s the year everything shifted for me. It was the moment I decided to stop putting my dreams on hold and fully invest in something I had always been passionate about: makeup. With the unwavering support and that extra nudge from my amazing husband, I took a leap of faith and enrolled at Ruby Makeup Academy in West Hollywood. That experience was truly transformative. Not only did I gain technical skills in makeup applications and learn the artistry behind creating flawless looks, but I also discovered just how powerful makeup can be. It’s more than just a cosmetic, it’s a tool for self-expression, confidence, and transformation. I began to truly understand how makeup trends evolve, how they influence culture, and how, most importantly, makeup can enhance natural beauty and make someone feel seen, empowered, and beautiful in their own skin. This foundational experience at Ruby Makeup Academy gave me the skills, but even more so, it gave me the vision to build something of my own that reflects the joy, creativity, and confidence makeup can bring into someone’s life. once I finished the course I created a Instagram page where I wanted to promote my work build my clientele and portfolio, This journey has not been easy definitely very challenging a roller-coaster of downfalls emotions of feeling discouraged and doubting myself questioning if I’m on the right path, that I even put my passion aside to continue to work in the corporate industry in which it has not been fulfilling. Today, I’m proud to be working as a freelance makeup artist, continuing to grow and evolve in this ever-changing industry. Every client I work with, every face I touch, is part of the larger dream I’m building. My journey so far has been filled with learning, passion, and a deep desire to leave my mark not just through the looks I create, but through the confidence and energy I help bring out in people. Right now, I’m focused on expanding my presence, connecting with more artists and professionals in the industry, and really honing my signature style. My goal is to become a well known makeup artist someone trusted to work on major sets, red carpets, and with celebrities. I want to be part of those magical behind the scenes moments where beauty and creativity come to life. In the future, I also have big dreams of launching my own cosmetic brand. I want to create products that not only deliver high performance but also feel inclusive, empowering, and true to who I am as an artist. Something that reflects my journey, my style, and everything I’ve learned along the way.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that have had the biggest impact on my journey as a makeup artist are dedication, resilience and constant hunger to learn. Showing up consistently matters. Weather is early call times, the long hours making sure my kit is always clean and sanitized for the next client. There are times when I questioned if I’m on the right path, but staying committed helped me push through. Always show up, even when no one is watching or supporting because that’s where real growth happens. Freelancing isn’t always glamorous, there are setbacks, cancellations, slow seasons or moments where you might feel overlooked because there is so many talented artists but always push through and be resilient learn how to bounce back and stay motivated. Always be willing to learn, evolve and learn new techniques to be on trend. Attend workshops, masterclasses experiment new products and learn from other artists, never stop growing. My advice is start small, you don’t have to have expensive products to create a beautiful look. and don’t rush the process, build your skill take pride in your work and build genuine relationships in the industry, People will remember you not just how talented you are but how you made them feel. So always lead with kindness, professionalism and passion. You can achieve so much if you put your mind to it.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

Right now, the number one challenge I’m facing is growing my visibility and getting my name out there in the highly competitive industry. There are so many talented artists out there and standing out especially as freelance makeup artist take more than just a skill. It requires branding, networking, consistency and patience. I’ve been focusing on building my presence both online and offline, I’m working on leveling up my content, sharing more of my work, before and after’s, client transformations, and tips to showcase my style and expertise. I’m also putting in the work to connect with other creatives, photographers, stylists, models and collaborations.

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