By: UFIRST Production

Dana Lekus is a respected celebrity makeup artist and hairstylist, recognized for her work and recipient of prestigious international awards, including the Top Makeup Trainer and Beauty Community Leader at the International Beauty Awards XXIII (IBA). She regularly contributes her expertise to global fashion weeks, acts as an official sponsor for major international beauty pageants, and serves as a judge at various world beauty championships.

Q: What are the challenges of working with celebrities?

A: Working with celebrities often requires a delicate balance — blending creativity with sensitivity. While many might think that being a celebrity makeup artist is simply about applying makeup, it’s important to recognize that technical skills are only part of the picture. Emotional sensitivity, discretion, and understanding are just as crucial.

Q: What specific requirements do they have compared to regular clients?

A: It can be challenging, but I find it incredibly rewarding. Every experience is an opportunity to create a look that reflects the person’s essence. When you approach makeup with an open heart and the ability to listen, even the most demanding situations can evolve into inspiring artistic collaborations. Sometimes, a celebrity’s schedule is so full that they may arrive for makeup exhausted, and I’ve had to do hairstyles with clients resting in the chair. At times, all their focus may be on their phone — something that is understandable in our current world. In these circumstances, you only have a few seconds to perfect the eyeliner or ensure symmetry. It’s years of experience, a trained eye, and confidence that help in those moments. Each celebrity has their own style and unique features, and sometimes they come with past experiences where they were let down by a previous artist. My goal is to see and highlight their beauty, helping them feel both stylish and authentic. I want them to look in the mirror and feel pleased with the reflection they see.

Q: How did you start working with celebrities?

A: Celebrities typically don’t reach out directly — it’s usually their PR agents, managers, or agencies that contact you. Often, you won’t know who the client is until very close to the event. You may only receive a brief with details such as the location, type of shoot, and style of makeup — sometimes you won’t learn their name until an hour before, or even right before you start working.

Q: Did they find you, or did you reach out to them yourself? Share a few unusual experiences with star clients.

A: Celebrities often choose to work with me because of my approach and my ability to listen. I frequently hear, “You were highly recommended,” which is incredibly meaningful to me.

When makeup becomes more than makeup:

• Inspiring moments on the journey to beauty.
• There are certain moments in life that are unpredictable and unforgettable.

Recently, I received an urgent request from contacts in New York: “Dana, we need you right now. Makeup artist. In an hour. Downtown Miami. Help us out.” I immediately jumped in the car, unaware of the event or details. Within an hour, I found myself at the apartment of Lucía Ugarte — a media icon, TV host, actress, and founder of Chicas Guapas TV. She was preparing for a major event and had just been featured in Forbes Founders as one of the Top Women to Follow in 2025, alongside figures like Jessica Alba and Whitney Wolfe Herd.

Lucía had a packed schedule: following an interview, she was heading straight to a red carpet at a Miami fashion show. We had just one hour to create her evening look.

When preparing a woman who inspires so many, the work becomes more than just applying makeup — it’s about channeling energy, confidence, and strength. That’s when the real magic happens. I simply focused on her essence: natural, strong, radiant. We highlighted her skin and eyes with soft contouring, a gentle glow, and defined eyes. Her hair was styled in a sleek bun. The whole look took us only 50 minutes. When Lucía saw herself in the mirror, she smiled and said: “You saved my day.”

Similar moments have occurred at other key events. At Fashion Designers of Latin America (FDLA) in New York, I had the honor of working with Fernanda Arriaga, also listed among the Top Women to Follow in 2025 by Forbes Founders.

Fernanda is an international entrepreneur, marketing expert, and the founder of Good Look, a global digital platform connecting clients with top-tier makeup artists. I had the privilege of preparing her for a key appearance at FDLA, and the requirements were unique: the look had to be suitable for the runway, cameras, and formal meetings. The challenge was to convey confidence, style, and intelligence through makeup.

I enjoy these kinds of challenges, where makeup becomes a visual expression of one’s personality. The look had to be soft but precise, stylish without being overpowering, feminine yet professional. Beauty truly begins with confidence.

Working with extraordinary women like Lucía Ugarte and Fernanda Arriaga constantly reminds me that makeup is not merely about cosmetics. It’s an art form that enhances personality, emphasizes inner strength, and helps someone feel empowered. Beauty starts with confidence, and makeup is one way to express it.

As part of creative projects and cultural events, I’ve also had the opportunity to collaborate with a number of well-known personalities, including Latin American singer Lady Yuliana, TV host Stephanie Carrillo (Univision Vix, Premio Lo Nuestro Red Carpet), influencer and TV presenter Alexandra Olavarría, and Disney actress Amanda Mirus. I was also proud to sponsor Miss Peru USA 2025, where my team of volunteer makeup artists and hairstylists helped create beauty looks for the contestants and winners. These creative collaborations and involvement in significant cultural projects continually inspire me and contribute to my ongoing growth as a beauty expert.