Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Lobos.
Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
Hi, I’m Alex Lobos, Owner of Elite Eyebrows & Makeup Studio. I’m from Los Angeles but have been living in Texas since 2011. My story starts with my LA roots. I’ve been an artist since I was a little girl and studied art fundamentals, such as drawing, painting, design, and photography. When attending art school in LA, my teachers acknowledged my natural talent but encouraged me to go digital since careers in classic art were fading. I wanted to draw for a living, so this did not sit well with me. I followed my passion for classical art and got my B.F.A. in Visual Communications.
At the time, I was an Editorial Assistant for Shape Magazine, and I yearned for a creative career. An acquaintance commended me on my colorful eye shadow and said I’d be good at makeup. She suggested applying at MAC Cosmetics, so I did! My art portfolio got me the job, and I enjoyed makeup more than I’d imagined because it felt like painting; however, I loathed sales. I decided to pursue a beauty career and returned to school to get my esthetician license.
In 2008, I was hired at SENNA Cosmetics Makeup & Brow Studio, a prestige beauty establishment founded by Eugenia Weston, Celebrity Makeup Artist, a.k.a. The Original Brow Guru. I was fortunate to be trained by Eugenia on all her brow techniques. I also learned to master threading. Eugenia noticed my artistic abilities and recruited me to assist her on the Tonight Show and various photo shoots. I was appointed as an Artist Trainer to the staff and wholesale accounts. SENNA has been influential for a lot of my career. I still have a personal relationship with my mentor Eugenia; we’re San Antonio’s first and only SENNA distributor!
Although I loved working at SENNA, I got ahead of myself and had the typical LA mentality of searching for fame. I positioned myself to work in Malibu at a boutique as their exclusive Brow & Makeup Artist. Although I loved Malibu’s serene vibe and random celeb sightings, I didn’t expect depressing stories from women who had everything and weren’t happy. They’d talk about their broken or loveless marriages and their kids being in drug rehab, and it was all very normal to them. It made me reflect on my life and how I was programmed to search for the wrong things. I was stressed with LA’s hectic lifestyle and high-cost living that I couldn’t endure anymore, plus my parents moved to Texas before I did. I wanted to be closer to them and start a new life.
It wasn’t easy to find my way for the first few years. I felt like I didn’t fit in, but I eventually adapted to Texas culture when I declared San Antonio home. I ended up here because I followed my childhood sweetheart, originally from San Antonio but grew up in LA. We reconnected and wanted to settle down, but unfortunately, we didn’t last because the relationship was very toxic. It was when I experienced the darkest moments of my life, but I regained my self-worth and decided to leave the situation. My life started to go uphill from there, including my career.
Elite Eyebrows & Makeup Studio was established in 2018. It is a labor of love with humble beginnings and years’ worth of built-in clientele. We’ve built our niche in eyebrows, makeup, and threading with a twist of luxury pampering using authentic Hollywood Pro techniques and providing consistent quality service. We’re known for our classic artistry, which attracts a unique market that often feels neglected in a world full of trends. Our refined artistry makes us one of San Antonio’s most sought beauty establishments for those who appreciate timeless glamour that never goes out of style. What sets us apart from our competitors is that we’re one of the few licensed artists who exclusively offer specialty threading services. Many people need to realize that threading is not regulated in Texas. Most threaders are unlicensed and work on a quantity basis in settings that are only desirable for some. Since this niche is untapped in Texas, we’re looking to bring this concept to other major cities and introduce specialty threading performed by licensed artists in an upscale environment.
As someone with sensitive skin, threading is my go-to hair removal method and has been since I was first introduced to it at the start of my career as an esthetician. Many people on retinoids, prescriptions, chemical peels, laser treatments, etc., cannot wax due to the irritating effects. Many clients want pampering, consistency, well-rounded artistry, a gentle touch, and genuine connection. Making specialty threading available on a larger scale would greatly benefit those who need a gentle alternative and want a personalized experience. We at Elite wish to change that by giving the art of threading the excellent reputation it deserves!
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
The struggles I faced in LA are that the industry is very cutthroat, and my genuine personality never meshed with the shark mentality. I’ve always been ambitious, but I wasn’t going to devalue my morals to get ahead. I was a late bloomer because I grew up in a sheltered non-communicative home. I always had a great work ethic but needed to learn how to connect with people. The constant acknowledgment of my natural talent spawned an entitled attitude that had me jump from job to job and affected my life and career decisions. Looking at it now, I was trying to find myself both personally and professionally. Texas is where I felt the most hardships. Moving out of state took work. I took a 2-year hiatus from the beauty industry, learning to cope with my new life. Being in a toxic relationship for 6 1/2 years prevented me from progressing. The pandemic and lockdowns left me uninspired to build my business. Ultimately all these experiences gave me the backbone to continue confidently with my dreamer mentality. No matter how much I’ve struggled in my personal life, it has never kept me from being a hard worker and a talented artist.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Elite Eyebrows & Makeup Studio?
Elite is a select entity regarding class, qualities, and abilities. True to our name, we are Texas-licensed estheticians specializing in eyebrows, makeup, and threading with a twist of luxury pampering. We use authentic Hollywood Pro techniques and perform every service with attention to detail and utmost care. We are also the first and only distributor in San Antonio who carry SENNA Cosmetics, a prestige makeup line native to Southern California with a fan base of professional makeup artists, celebrities, and everyday consumers. We love SENNA for its focus on brows and timeless beauty.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
People’s true colors show in the worst of times. I’ve learned that genuine connection and caring about the people who invest in you will always triumph over any hardships life throws at you, personal or professional. I’ve learned to value simple things and prioritize work/life balance. I’ve adapted to being openly vulnerable and seek help when necessary. I discovered that through traumatic times, it’s important to stay creative and connected and soak up the sun! If it weren’t for Covid, I would’ve never discovered my love for gardening. After Covid, I feel more appreciative, grounded, and humble for still living, surviving, and thriving!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.eliteeyebrowssa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eliteeyebrowssa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eliteeyebrowssa/
Image Credits
Ryn Pitts/Serendipity Social Co
