Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzette Montes.
Hi Suzette, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where family has always been at the center of my life. Like many people, I dreamed of building a life where my family wouldn’t just get by, we could truly live and enjoy life together.
Before moving to the United States, my husband Jeremy and I were struggling to make ends meet. The cost of living in Puerto Rico kept rising, and no matter how hard we worked, it felt like we were constantly trying to catch up. I was working long hours just to provide for our family, and one of the hardest parts was realizing how little time I actually had with my son. I wasn’t missing moments because I wanted to, I was missing them because I had to work.
Jeremy and I rarely had time together either. We were doing everything we could to survive, but survival had become our lifestyle. We knew we wanted something different, not just financially, but for our quality of life. Several members of my family had already moved to the United States, and they kept telling us about the opportunities available here. After many conversations, prayers, and difficult decisions, we chose to leave everything familiar behind and move to North Carolina in hopes of building a more stable future for our family.
Starting over was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. We left behind our home, our friends, and our extended family. Everything was new. We had to adapt to a different culture, improve our English, build new relationships, and create a life from scratch. During our very first year in the United States, I became pregnant with our daughter, Isabella.
Looking back, I realize how much that season shaped me. Raising a young son, preparing to welcome another baby, and adjusting to a completely different life taught me resilience, adaptability, and gratitude. Those experiences made me stronger and reminded me that growth often happens when we’re willing to step into the unknown.
Over the years, I built my career in the beauty industry and eventually became a Store Manager for The Estée Lauder Companies. Leadership became a passion of mine because I discovered how much I loved developing people, mentoring teams, and helping others recognize their own potential. Watching someone grow in confidence has always been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
My love for beauty, though, started much earlier.
It came from watching my mom.
She loved makeup because it made her feel beautiful. Looking back now, I realize it was also her way of facing the world during some very difficult seasons of her life. She carried a lot on her shoulders, yet she always took the time to put on her makeup, fix her hair, and present herself with grace. She wasn’t trying to be someone she wasn’t. She was simply trying to feel like herself, even on the hardest days.
As a little girl, I didn’t fully understand what I was seeing.
Today, I do.
That memory completely changed the way I view beauty. Makeup isn’t about hiding who you are or pretending to be perfect. Sometimes it’s about taking a few moments to care for yourself when life feels heavy. Sometimes it’s about finding the confidence to face the day. My mom never taught me how to apply makeup, but she taught me something much more valuable without even realizing it: beauty can be an act of hope. After I lost her due to terminal cancer, my life changed.
As I began working with women, especially women over 45, I noticed a common pattern. Many of them would sit in my chair and immediately point out everything they disliked about themselves. They would apologize for their wrinkles, their skin texture, or the changes that naturally come with age. After years of caring for their families, careers, and everyone around them, they had forgotten how to see themselves with kindness.
That realization changed the direction of my business.
Today, I own Suzette Makeup Artistry, where I specialize in pro-age makeup education and techniques designed for mature women. My goal is to help women embrace every stage of life with confidence by teaching them how to enhance their natural beauty instead of trying to hide it. I offer personalized makeup lessons, educational workshops, and content that empowers women to feel confident in their own skin.
I also have the privilege of serving brides on one of the most meaningful days of their lives. Bridal makeup allows me to be part of unforgettable moments, helping women feel beautiful, confident, and authentically themselves as they walk down the aisle. Whether I’m teaching a woman how to update her makeup routine or preparing a bride for her wedding day, my mission is the same, to create an experience where she feels seen, cared for, and confident.
Outside of my career, my greatest joy is my family. My husband, Jeremy, and I are raising two incredible children, Jareth and Isabella, and they continue to inspire me every day. They remind me why we took that leap all those years ago and why perseverance is always worth it.
When I look back at the woman who left Puerto Rico with a suitcase full of dreams and uncertainty, I’m grateful we took that chance. Every challenge has shaped me into the woman I am today. Every setback has taught me resilience. Every new beginning has opened doors I never imagined.
If there’s one thing I hope people take away from my story, it’s that your circumstances don’t have to define your future. Starting over is never easy, but sometimes the biggest leap of faith leads to the life you were always meant to build. For me, that journey has become about more than a career. It’s about helping women rediscover confidence, embrace who they are, and leave every interaction feeling just a little more like themselves.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
Moving from Puerto Rico to the United States meant starting over in every sense of the word. We left behind our support system, our families, and everything that felt familiar. Learning to navigate a new culture while building a stable life wasn’t easy, and there were many moments when we questioned whether we had made the right decision.
One of my biggest challenges was balancing motherhood with my career. During our first year in the U.S., I became pregnant with our daughter, Isabella, while we were still trying to establish ourselves financially. Raising two children while working full-time often meant putting my own dreams on hold. There were seasons when I felt exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure if I would ever have the opportunity to pursue what I truly loved.
Another challenge has been believing in myself. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve dealt with imposter syndrome and the fear of failure. Starting a business is exciting, but it can also be lonely. There were moments when I questioned whether people would see value in what I wanted to offer, especially because my approach is different. My focus isn’t just on makeup, it’s on education, confidence, and helping women embrace aging rather than fear it.
Building a business while maintaining a full-time leadership career has also required a lot of sacrifice. There have been late nights creating content, early mornings preparing for clients, and countless hours spent learning, planning, and investing in my growth. Success didn’t happen overnight, and I’m still building.
One lesson I’ve learned is that obstacles often become your greatest teachers. Every challenge has strengthened my resilience, shaped my perspective, and reminded me why I started. Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, I’ve learned to see them as opportunities to grow, adjust, and keep moving forward.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change the difficult seasons because they shaped both the person I am and the business I’m building today. They taught me perseverance, compassion, and the importance of never giving up on a dream that’s worth pursuing.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Suzette Makeup Artistry?
Suzette Makeup Artistry was created from a simple belief: makeup should never change who you are, it should help you recognize the woman you’ve always been.
While I offer luxury bridal makeup services and professional makeup artistry for special occasions, my greatest passion is educating women, especially those over 45, on how to work with their changing skin instead of fighting against it. As we age, our skin changes, but unfortunately, most beauty education is still geared toward younger women. I wanted to create a space where mature women feel seen, understood, and empowered.
What sets my business apart is that I don’t believe beauty has an expiration date. My approach is centered on enhancing natural beauty rather than masking it. Every lesson, every bridal appointment, and every client experience is personalized because I believe makeup should complement the individual, not follow trends that don’t work for everyone.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the experience I create for my clients. Whether someone is sitting in my chair as a bride on one of the biggest days of her life or attending one of my makeup lessons, I want her to leave feeling more confident than when she arrived. My goal isn’t just for someone to love their makeup that day, it’s for them to understand why it works and to feel empowered long after our appointment ends.
Bridal makeup will always have a special place in my heart because it’s an honor to be trusted during such an important milestone. I love creating timeless, elegant looks that allow brides to feel like the very best version of themselves while still looking like themselves in every photo they’ll cherish for years to come.
As my business continues to grow, my vision extends beyond providing makeup services. I’m building a brand focused on education, confidence, and helping women redefine what beauty looks like as they age. Through workshops, one-on-one lessons, digital education, and bridal services, my mission is to remind women that confidence doesn’t come from looking younger, it comes from embracing who they are.
If there’s one thing I hope people remember about Suzette Makeup Artistry, it’s that I don’t believe makeup should change who you are. I believe it should help you recognize the woman you’ve always been.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you don’t have to build your dream alone. Finding the right mentor can save you years of trial and error, but it’s important to find someone whose values, character, and vision align with the person you want to become, not just someone who has achieved success.
I’m incredibly grateful to have that in my life today. My current mentor is an amazing businesswoman whom I deeply admire. What’s especially meaningful is that she was also my manager when I first started my career in the beauty industry. Watching her lead years ago taught me so much, and now, having her mentor me as I build my own business feels like everything has come full circle.
She has challenged me to think bigger, step outside my comfort zone, and build a business with intention rather than simply chasing success. Her guidance has helped me grow not only as an entrepreneur, but also as a leader.
When it comes to networking, I’ve learned that the best relationships are built on authenticity. Some of my greatest opportunities have come simply from showing up, serving others, staying curious, and being willing to learn. I believe genuine relationships will always be more valuable than handing out as many business cards as possible.
My advice is to never stop learning and never be afraid to ask for guidance. Reach out to people you admire, be teachable, and don’t underestimate the impact that one meaningful relationship can have on your life. Sometimes the mentor who helps shape your future is someone who has believed in your potential from the very beginning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.suzettemakeupartistry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzettemakeupartistry?igsh=M3AybGRzOHZyMmsz&utm_source=qr
