A product of Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood, Yanira Garza grew up loving beauty and fashion. Her mother was a thrift shop aficionado, but she always spent her hard earned money on quality skin care products. “My mother never cheaped out on skin care. She would always tell me, you only have one face, you have to take care of your skin. Therefore, I became fascinated with makeup, and I fell into it by chance.”
For the past twelve years, Garza has worked as a makeup artist for some of the biggest brands in the industry like Chanel, Shiseido, YSL, Smashbox, Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier. Garza is also a freelance stylist and has worked with top models from Elite, Ford, BMG as well as actor Freddie Rodriguez, Cafe Magazine and Chicago Magazine, to name a few.
She also helms YaniraGarza.com which was noted as the 10 best beauty blogs by Latina Magazine. Here, readers can get an inside scoop on the industry and Garza’s latest beauty and style advice. Lucky for us, we got to pick her brain about her current beauty and style tips and some of her go-to brands for Latina skin.
MBG: What are your go-to tips and tricks for looking pulled together all the time?
I have a uniform. I wear the exact same thing every single day – just in variation. I’m a big fan of tunics, button downs, and leggings, particularly leather leggings. They can be worn with booties and a white button down or oversized sweater – this is essentially my go-to look. I can put a blazer over it, or pair it with heels or casual shoes.
MBG: What are some of your beauty staples?
My skincare is pretty simple – I’m into the no-makeup look lately. But I’m also a makeup artist, so I love makeup. In the morning, I just splash water on my face, moisturize, put on balm and I do my eyebrows. I love Bobbi Brown products for my eyebrows, it just makes me feel done. I also love NARS Cruella lip pencil – no matter where I go – Target, picking up the kids from school or meeting a client in the city, I will be wearing NARS Cruella. I’ve been wearing it for 6 years now, and I absolutely love it. It stays on all day long and looks great with olive or darker skin tones.
MBG: What are some great beauty brands for Latina skin?
When I started my career in beauty I worked for a pretty popular brand. I noticed that they didn’t cater to women of color. When I asked about it, I was told that “they really don’t buy.” I was really put off and I put in my resignation shortly thereafter. I can’t work for a brand who isn’t willing to cater to someone like myself.
I started working for Bobbi Brown 6 years ago and they absolutely cater to women of color with a wide variety of products, not just one or two products. NARS, Bobbi Brown, MAC, Laura Mercier, these are all great high-end brands that cater to women of color.
MBG: Who are your beauty and style muses?
I’m obsessed with Olivia Palermo. She just always gets it right in regards to style. Also, Sienna Miller is a big favorite of mine.
Check out more from Yanira Garza by visiting her site and read about other Latinas heating up the style scene on Instagram.
