Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessii Rosales.
Hi Jessii, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Looking back, I realize makeup has always been part of who I am. Even as a little girl, two years old, I was drawn to all things beauty and creativity. I was the kid who could spend hours playing with Barbies, fascinated by colors, style, and self-expression. I didn’t know it then, but those early moments were planting the seeds for the career I have today.
My passion didn’t truly come into focus until I was 23. At the time, I was working as a bottle service girl, and before the club opened, all of us girls would get together and do our makeup. Those moments became my favorite part of the night. I loved the artistry, the confidence makeup gave us!!
Life, however, had other plans. When I became pregnant with my son, I put that passion on hold to focus on motherhood. During that time, I worked as a caregiver for an elderly woman, believing nursing might become my future. For five and a half years, I devoted myself to caring for her until her health declined. As that chapter came to an end, I found myself questioning what was next. I was attending night school, but nothing felt quite right.
Then the world stopped.
When COVID hit, a friend reached out about an opportunity as a Beauty Advisor at Ulta Beauty. At first, I thought it would simply be a fun job to fill the gap. Instead, it became the turning point in my life.
Surrounded by skincare, cosmetics, and beauty education every day, I realized I had found something that genuinely excited me. I loved helping women discover products that suited their skin, boosting their confidence, and seeing the joy that came from finding the perfect routine.
I even found myself getting a part time job at Celsius Tannery, and that was the most fun job I could’ve done!! Learning more intense about skin and all!!!
Not long after, a friend asked if I would do her makeup for a wedding. I hesitated—I wasn’t sure I was ready—but I agreed. The results exceeded every expectation. Her makeup turned out beautifully, and before the day was over, both her sister and cousin asked if I could do theirs as well. Watching their confidence grow confirmed something I had started truly thinking “maybe I was meant to do this.”
One conversation with my husband changed everything.
He looked at me and asked, “What if you did this for a living?”
The question stayed with me. After talking it through with my manager, who was also a close friend, we began researching opportunities with prestige beauty brands. I discovered openings at the Estée Lauder Companies inside Dillard’s and decided to take a chance.
Getting that position became one of the most important career decisions I’ve ever made. Working alongside incredibly talented women, I immersed myself in advanced skincare, luxury cosmetics, and professional artistry. Every day expanded my knowledge, and my passion only grew stronger. I also built wonderful relationships with the Dior team, who inspired me creatively and professionally. While retail sales challenged me, I realized my true passion wasn’t selling products, it was creating unforgettable beauty experiences for people.
That realization inspired me to pursue makeup artistry outside of the retail.
One of the defining moments of my career came when I was invited to work backstage with the Dior team for a runway show. Seeing models from every background walk the runway wearing makeup I had created was so surreal. It was one of the proudest moments of my life and confirmed that I was exactly where I was meant to be.
Then everything changed.
Shortly afterward, I underwent gallbladder surgery, but my recovery didn’t go as planned. My health rapidly declined, forcing me to take a leave of absence from Dillard’s. Eventually, I was diagnosed with ulcerative pancolitis, the most extensive form of ulcerative colitis.
It felt as though my life had come to a complete standstill.
I spent months learning how to manage my health, adjusting to an entirely new way of living, and ultimately had to resign from my position. It was heartbreaking to step away from the career I loved just as I felt I was gaining momentum. But giving up was never an option.
As my health gradually improved, I knew it was time to return to the beauty industry. I continued taking freelance clients and eventually applied to Sephora on the Plaza. By coincidence, one of the managers was a former coworker from Dillard’s who had helped train me. Reconnecting with familiar faces made the transition feel like coming home.
My time at Sephora further expanded my expertise. The education, product knowledge, and incredible clientele challenged me to continue growing as both an artist and a beauty professional. Every day reaffirmed that I had chosen the right path.
Then came another beautiful chapter: welcoming my daughter into our family.
As life settled into a new rhythm, I found myself wanting something more. I wanted to collaborate with a creative team, push myself artistically, and continue growing my career beyond the retail floor.
Almost as if the universe had been listening, the opportunity arrived.
Jessica—who would soon become both my boss and mentor—reached out to me through social media. She owned a bridal beauty company specializing in makeup, hair, and spray tanning and invited me to meet with her. From our very first conversation, I knew it was exactly what I had been searching for.
Today, more than three and a half years later, joining her team remains one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Every wedding, every client, and every artist I work alongside reminds me why I fell in love with this industry. I’m surrounded by women who share the same passion for beauty, skincare, creativity, and helping others feel their absolute best. Beyond artistry, I’ve also gained invaluable insight into the business side of the industry, allowing me to grow not only as a makeup artist but as a professional.
When I reflect on my journey, I don’t just see a career—I see resilience.
I see a young girl who loved makeup before she even realized it could become a profession. I see a mother who paused her dreams to raise her children. I see someone who navigated unexpected illness, rebuilt her confidence, and refused to let life’s obstacles define her future.
Most importantly, I see someone who finally found her calling.
And for that, I couldn’t be more grateful—or more proud of the woman I’ve become.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say just my health being the most challenging thing along the way! Learning to navigate and not giving up on my career
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a professional bridal makeup artist who specializes in soft glam makeup that enhances each client’s natural beauty while helping them feel confident and radiant. I am known for creating timeless, elegant looks that photograph beautifully and last throughout long wedding days. I take pride in providing a calm, personalized experience, listening closely to each client’s vision, and ensuring they feel comfortable and beautiful on one of the most important days of their lives. What sets me apart is my attention to detail, reliability, and ability to tailor every look to complement each person’s unique features rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
The greatest luck I would say is the bridal company Fix Beauty Co, finding me through social media, which started my career path opening more doors of opportunity and leading me to the type of makeup artist I am today!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jessii_rosales
- Facebook: Jessii Rosales
