Beauty is Power: An Interview with Dita Von Diva

We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Orlando-based licensed cosmetologist and professional makeup artist, Dita Von Diva. We asked her a few questions and she shared her industry knowledge and passion with us.

Dita, what is your inspiration and/or what peaked your interest in cosmetology and the beauty industry?

Inspiration starts within the soul. I think you usually find your true calling for life when you are young. When I was young all I loved to do was paint, and from there on as I grew older I took it to the next level. When I was 12 years old, I read Cosmogirl. The only thing that spoke to me was all the glamour and high fashion, and the wonderful hairstyles and inspiring makeup trends. From there, I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I wanted to be that girl who did the makeup for that photo shoot. I wanted to be that girl who styled the hair for that model. I would study the hair and makeup I saw, and replicate it on myself over and over again until I had mastered it. I live for the glitz and glamour in the beauty industry, and without us cosmetologists, hairstylists and makeup artists there is no glamour. We have become one of the most important parts of the beauty industry.

How did you begin your chosen career path, and what is your educational background in cosmetology?

To start my career path, I researched a cosmetology school that had a great reputation for their program. Then, I enrolled in the program, graduated a year later and passed my state board exam. Without passing you can’t further your career, attaining a license in cosmetology was a very exciting beginning, and it was only the beginning. I started working at a salon when I was still enrolled in school as a salon assistant, to become familiar with the salon atmosphere. As I got closer to graduation, I realized the salon atmosphere wasn’t for me. I wanted more action. I ended up getting hired as a makeup artist for a big makeup company. I was off to a great start. Since then, I have been doing hair and makeup for fashion shows, hair shows, photo shoots and music videos.

Here I am on stage as a platform artist transforming my original makeup to a more extreme and fabulous look in less than a minute. I applied iridescent glitter all over the lips to make it more runway glamorous and also created a smokey eye to give a more sultry look.

What is the most challenging part of your career?

I feel like the most challenging part of my career is getting your name out there, and building clientele. This industry is all about word of mouth, and networking and knowing how to market yourself as your own brand. Once you start branching out to others and people start referring potential clients to you, things start to get easier, work comes faster and life gets a little easier.

Here I am just finishing up some platform work on stage. The adrenalin of a fashion show is my favorite of the job. I love working in fast paced environments, and seeing all the other artists work together and collaborate in creativity is awesome. The feeling of walking down the runway at the end of the show and getting applauded for my work makes me feel so accomplished.

What are your goals now, Dita Von Diva?
My ultimate goal is to become a celebrity makeup artist, and to eventually own my own business with a dream makeover team providing hair services, makeovers, photographers, fashion styling and fashion designers all under one roof!

This is a photo shoot I recently work on. I take a lot of pride in my work, and I am very passionate in what I do. Creating art on a person, then seeing my work on camera is the most rewarding thing.

That’s awesome. Do you have any words of wisdom for a newly graduated cosmetology student?

My words of wisdom to a newly graduate would be to take the state board immediately after graduation when your brain is still fresh with all the knowledge you’ve gained in cosmetology school. And NEVER GIVE UP! Always take a challenge, and work with pride. Never let anyone determine your path in life. Follow your dreams, work towards your goals and I promise you will make it to the top.

Thank you so much for your time!

This is me, the real me. I’m a diva 24/7. No matter where I am, I want to be glamorous. I got my nick name Dita Von Diva when I was in cosmetology school because I acted like such a diva, and I always wanted to make everyone look fabulous. I love being unique and creative, that’s why I love the beauty industry and fashion industries. There’s so much individuality. Having your hair and makeup done transforms yourself from the outside in, and creates confidence in a person. Beauty is power!

Follow Dita Von Diva on Twitter and Instagram for photos and updates on what she’s up to now.

You can also email her for bookings at [email protected].