From Motocross to Makeup: My Unconventional Journey as a Hairstylist and Makeup Artist

If you knew me as a child, you'd never guess where I am today. From ages 10-18, I was all about motocross. You couldn't catch me in a dress, and I lived in board shorts. I was an adrenaline junkie, and the smell of pre-mix in the morning was my favorite aroma. But, as life would have it, injuries piled up, and motocross became too expensive. So, with much pressure from my parents, I hung up my riding boots and enrolled in basic studies at Wharton County Junior College. Let me tell you, I was bored out of my mind. Those classes were a joke to me after finishing my last two years of high school through a homeschooling program.

But fate had other plans for me. I was volunteering my time and resources as co-chairman of a charity event we were doing with Big Brothers Big Sisters called "A Day to Play in the Dirt." On my way to a meeting at the track hosting the event, I was involved in a car accident. I was T-boned by an F350 1-Ton Dually Truck, and it was not pretty. I was life-flighted to the Houston Medical Center where I was under the care of renowned Trauma Surgeon Dr. Red Duke (yeah, a tell-tale sign of how bad off I was). I had multiple broken bones, lacerations, and severe injuries. I spent weeks in the ICU and months in the hospital before being released. My recovery was tough, and physical therapy was a slow process.

During my recovery, my mom suggested I go to cosmetology school since I was always coloring my hair. I had a friend who had just graduated from the Aveda Institute, and I thought, why not? So, instead of going back to college, I enrolled in Aveda, and that's when my journey as a hairstylist and makeup artist began.

I realized that hairstyling was my calling. I was not only good at it, but it also brought me joy and a sense of purpose. After graduating from cosmetology school, I was fortunate to be offered an apprenticeship at a salon by one of my instructors. However, it was the makeup part of my career that took an unexpected turn.

Due to complications with my jaw surgery, I had to undergo a second surgery, and it resulted in scars on my cheeks. To conceal these imperfections, I turned to makeup. Wearing a full face of makeup to work at the salon became routine, and I learned how to hide my scars and enhance my features. This sparked a newfound interest in makeup, and I started offering makeup services for photoshoots. Initially hesitant to offer makeup professionally, I eventually gave in to the requests of clients and haven't looked back since.

Today, at the age of 35, I am proud to be a professional hairstylist and makeup artist. It's a passion that still feeds my adrenaline and allows me to be a part of some of the most special moments in people's lives. My journey has been unconventional, from motocross racer to makeup artist, but I wouldn't have it any other way. The accident may have altered my path, but time has been a great healer, and I have found my true calling in the world of beauty and self-expression.

As I reflect on my journey (I hope you enjoy the album of memories below), I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way and the lessons I have learned. Life can take unexpected turns, but it's how we adapt and persevere that truly matters. My advice to anyone pursuing their passion is to be open to new possibilities, embrace challenges, and never underestimate the power of resilience. With determination and a positive mindset, you can turn your dreams into reality, just like I did. I am proud of my journey as a hairstylist and makeup artist, and I am excited for the future ahead. Feel free to reach out to me for advice on starting your beauty career. Let’s empower others through the power of beauty!