Conversations with Lucrezia Mapelli

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Lucrezia Mapelli.

Hi Lucrezia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Makeup has always been my love, but never did I imagine it could be my career. Nearly a decade ago, I was deep in freight forwarding, handling shipments across oceans.

Back then, I was focused on fitness, and I was hitting the gym daily while also wearing colorful, playful makeup looks. Then, one night, a girl at the gym complimented my makeup and asked me to do her bridal look. Despite my lack of professional training and hesitations about the responsibility, I ended up doing it! That day, as I watched her glow, something clicked inside me. I realized I could turn a passion into a career!

Encouraged by my family, I decided to pursue makeup professionally. I enrolled in a school in Torino, Italy, commuting one hour by train every weekend while still working my corporate job. It was exhausting, but I was determined not to miss a single day of learning.

After graduating, I realized there was still much to learn, especially when finessing my work. That’s when I found my mentor, Letizia Maestri, a renowned Italian celebrity makeup artist based in Milan. Under her guidance, I immersed myself in the world of celebrity makeup, TV productions, commercials, and high-end fashion while also working on weddings in my hometown.

In 2019, I made a big leap, leaving the cosmopolitan scene in Milan to marry the love of my life in Kansas City, MO. Despite the change in scenery, I saw endless opportunities waiting for me. I started networking and soon landed a job as a makeup instructor for Makeup Designory LA/NY in a local KS beauty academy while I was also building my reputation as a freelancer.

Teaching turned out to be a hidden passion of mine, and seeing my students’ careers blossom has been incredibly rewarding. Currently, I teach makeup classes privately in my studio and at a new beauty academy. Reflecting on my journey, I am grateful for the support I received from Letizia, my “makeup mom” in Milan. Now, I strive to pay it forward. If I can be someone’s mentor, just as Letizia was for me, then I know I’ve done my job.

After freelancing for a couple of years, by 2022, I managed to secure a small space in Overland Park. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize that I craved a more creatively charged environment. In April 2023, my search led me to the studio of my dreams in downtown KC, within the historic Firestone building.

My vision was clear: to establish a dynamic beauty studio in the city where artists could collaborate with photographers, students could perfect their craft and expand their portfolios, and I could facilitate makeup workshops while delving into the art of photography myself. I wanted my studio to exude uniqueness, reflecting the vibrant cosmopolitan fashion scene of Milan.

That’s why I opted for a sleek black and silver aesthetic, setting it apart from the traditional beauty/bridal studios. And to top it all off? The big, tall windows offer an amazing view of Kansas City Downtown. With that stunning backdrop, my vision for the studio was truly complete!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Building a business from scratch is no walk in the park. But with hard work and a whole lot of dedication, you can make the impossible happen. For me, one of the toughest issues, especially at the beginning, was figuring out how to blend my European sense of beauty with the preferences of the local American scene.

I initially tried to play it safe, following the crowd and doing what everyone else seemed to be doing. But deep down, I knew I didn’t want to be just another face in the crowd. So, I took a step back and tapped into my fashion background, leaning into more unique, editorial looks.

And you know what? That was the turning point. Once I stopped trying to fit in and started being true to myself, everything fell into place. It was like finding my groove, and suddenly, everything just felt right.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m best known for my role as a makeup instructor, and my passion for crafting personalized makeup looks that suit each client individually. Whether it’s achieving a natural, dewy bridal glow or crafting the most unique editorial look, I take pride in my ability to cater to diverse styles.

Being a makeup artist isn’t about fitting into a box and providing a face that fits all; it’s about understanding each client’s vision and creating something special just for them. That’s why I hesitate to confine myself to a single label. Over the years, I’ve gained a wealth of experience and skills that allow me to mold and adapt to different styles and preferences.

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Not everyone knows this, but I lived in Kansas City, MO, for a bit back in 2008 and 2009 when my family moved here for work. That’s when I first crossed paths with my now-husband, Johnnie Ray. When 2009 ended, we said our goodbyes, unsure if our paths would ever cross again.

But as luck would have it, fate had other plans. In 2017, Johnnie Ray reached out to me on Facebook, sparking a reconnection that felt like destiny. He even flew all the way to Italy to bring me back to Kansas City!

After proposing on top of the Italian Alps, we started the immigration process and eventually, in January 2019, I was able to move here for good, get married, and start our amazing, happy life together!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lucreziamapellimakeupartist.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucreziamapellimua/ & https://www.instagram.com/lmhbeautystudio_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucreziamapellimua/

Image Credits
Rivera Eye Photography and AWOL Systems