Her Story
About Janet
Janet Alvarez has spent 22 years in the cosmetics industry as a makeup artist. She began her journey in fashion design school, where she worked backstage as a dresser and became fascinated with the artistry of makeup. This led her to shift her focus, applying for cosmetic jobs and landing her first role at Clinique, where she gained foundational knowledge in skincare and preparation work that supports successful makeup application. She holds a bachelor's degree in fashion design, which helps her identify and adapt trends for everyday use, along with a management certification from Sephora and certifications in education, makeup, and skincare. Alvarez has become influential in teaching others, with many of her students advancing to prominent positions as makeup artists. She also contributes to community initiatives, including efforts to open a center for women and participating in grassroots events that promote women-backed companies and women CEOs.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Janet
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Take all the education you can from everywhere and ask a million questions. Most people are genuinely very honored to be answering the questions that you have, especially in this industry because it is a field of talent and art.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The makeup industry has shifted to a no-makeup makeup look which kills creativity a little bit. There's also oversaturation from influencers on social media who aren't makeup artists, making it harder to build trust, though new launches with more colors offer hope for returning artistry and fun.
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