Today we’d like to introduce you to Lily Gomez.
Hi Lily, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey in makeup started 10 years ago! I was in college at the University of Maryland and feeling totally lost, as we all do at 20. I was an English major on track to do a Master’s program right after graduating that would set me up as a high school teacher. At some point, I was about ready to start some shadowing/assistant teaching so I went to a Sephora to pick up a concealer or something that would make me feel more adult before being in a school setting. It was really all or nothing from there, I queued up every YouTube tutorial that 2016 had to offer and started learning. It began with practicing on myself, to practicing on my friends, to eventually doing a friends moms makeup for her wedding. That was my very first wedding and I remember showing up with every product from my vanity in a giant tote bag! I continued on my teaching career path and went on to complete my Master’s program. But simultaneously, I joined an on-site bridal beauty team in my hometown and started assisting pro artists. It was definitely more of a side hustle while I continued pursuing teaching, knowing that on some level I didn’t feel committed to that career path. I did one year in a high school classroom with the smartest and coolest 9th & 10th graders. I know the typical assumption is that the kids burnt me out the first year but honestly, they were the best part. I just knew deep down, I wanted something different and I felt like from a young age I had never given myself the chance to pursue a creative passion. It didn’t feel realistic, I guess. After leaving the classroom, I got a corporate EdTech job for a while and continued working on the bridal team until 2020 put a halt on the world, The team unfortunately closed its doors and I was left with a decision on what to do with my career. I started my business and began freelancing during a very uncertain time in the world and I haven’t looked back since! Now, I am a full time makeup artist specializing in weddings but available for any occasions, photoshoots and makeup lessons! Sometimes it feels like it took me too long to get here, but I really feel like this is what the universe had planned for me 🙂
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think it’s been a real slow burn for me. I’ve always been someone that accounts for a plan A, plan B, plan C, etc. So while I was working at a corporate job. I barely had any mental space left to plan ahead for what my career as a makeup artist would look like. I was kind of just going through the motions for a long time. One of my biggest struggles was knowing when to take the leap, to believe in myself, my art and my business. I hit a point where I felt stretched way too thin. I wasn’t able to give any of my work 100% because I was giving a million different things a bit of me. I really didn’t like that feeling because I am such an all or nothing kind of person. I had so many business ideas, creative urges and also, just really needed to take care of myself. I was forgetting important things, skipping out on doctors appointments, and missing out on family events because I was working Monday-Friday and almost every Saturday and Sunday.
We’ve been impressed with Lux by Lily, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is called Lux by Lily. A lot of my friends think it’s supposed to be pronounced “Looks by Lily” but unfortunately, I am not that clever! I had always liked the idea of doing an L business name because my name starts with an L, it just felt like it would flow better. Between my years in school, another creative endeavor I had taken on was fashion blogging. I know, I know, so typical. I used to DIY my game day t-shirts in college, and I would make a blog post of how to do it. I would literally be sitting in class with my WordPress account up, working on a blog post about my favorite makeup products LOL. So somewhere in that journey, I also began working at my friends boutique. We talked a lot about the business piece of a boutique and how to offer super customized experiences. I honestly learned so much from her and to this day, I credit her with my approach to customer service. Once of the things she and I started to offer at the boutique was personal shopping/styling. So LUX by Lily was born out of not wanting to limit myself to makeup. I wanted to be able to provide luxury experiences, makeup, styling, consulting, etc. Maybe I will continue with that at some point but for now, my heart is 100% in the makeup.
I specialize in weddings and I’m known for glowy makeup. I always say it’s not exactly no makeup makeup, but it’s polished and precise work that still looks like you but also lasts 12+ hours and a dance floor. I like to think that what sets me apart from others is that my approach is different with every single client. I have my niche look, of course, but every face is different. I am a huge romantic, and I geniunely see faces and think “wow, they are beautiful” and I love finding subtle ways to accentuate each uniquely gorgeous person. I can be painfully emotional (not painful to myself, but to my friends who see me tear up at movies all the time) but I think that makes working weddings so perfect for me. I am genuinely grateful to be in a room of core memories every time I am at work. I’m proud of being able to wear my heart on my sleeve like that, it’s become my superpower. I would want anyone reading this to know that my brand really is just me. I don’t know how to be anyone but myself and it’s taken me lots of growing up to get here but I am so proud! Lux by Lily was a self exploration project that I am now able to share with so many people, who happen to be deliriously in love too.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
It may seem simple but be kind. BE. KIND. And don’t just be kind, mean it too. A sincere gesture at work to a fellow creative, vendor, client, etc. goes such a long way. Networking can be full of so much noise but seriously, I have had so many full circle moments in my work born out of kind moments that happen in passing. Fellow vendors have become my clients, bridesmaids have come back to me as brides, venue staff helps me with my things, valet staff will even hook me up with parking my car! Just be nice to people. It’s the simplest and free-est thing we can do for one another. As far as finding a mentor, the same advice applies! Be genuine. Artists have spent years of their lives pouring into their careers, and will always want to share the wealth with a sincere, kind person who is also growing. I am an open book and an open heart type of person, if you couldn’t tell already. I will admit that it’s left space for some wounds here and there, but genuinely nothing that could ever outweigh the good in my life and career. You never know who will come back to be so meaningful in your life later on, whether it’s for an opportunity, a recommendation or a shoulder to lean on. So just be good to people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://luxbylily.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxbylily/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luxbylily
