The military has a funny way of encouraging military spouses to follow their dreams. This was such the case for Mabani Hernandez, owner of Caras by Mabani. Mabani is a makeup artist specializing in traditional makeup application and airbrush application for men and women and for any occasion, including print, film and runway.
Mabani came to JBLM in January of 2014 from North Carolina with her husband, her three boys and her two Shih Tzus. “This is our fourth duty station in my husband’s 14-year career, and our fourth move in the past five years,” she said.
It was in cosmetology school in 2002 that Mabani started to hone in on what she was most passionate about. It wasn’t the cosmetic transformation that inspired Mabani the most. It was much more than that. “I realized the power of it and how much it could change someone, not just physically but emotionally,” she said. “Seeing how much better something so small could make someone feel, I knew that it was worth it. It was what I was meant to do.”
Mabani, however, didn’t always have a passion for beautification. “It wasn’t a profession I had a deep passion for, but I loved the whole color aspect of it,” she explained. “I was always a pretty artistic individual.” When Mabani started Caras by Mabani in 2007, she wanted the name to be as unique as she is. “I wanted a name that would stand out,” she said. “So I thought faces — I do faces. But, that was pretty common, too. So, it hit me. I speak Spanish! Spanish for faces is caras, so, Caras by Mabani it was, and has been ever since.”
There is no such thing as a typical day in Mabani’s career, although most days start bright and early, especially if prepping for a big event like a wedding. Most recently, a wedding job had Mabani working on the wedding party from 8:00 a.m. to noon straight, with no pauses or breaks. “I am on a mission. I become very focused while still carrying on a conversation with my clients so they feel at ease. When I get home, I unpack, sanitize my kit, and deep clean my brushes so it’s ready for my next job. This is a typical working on location day.”
The military lifestyle can often leave a spouse feeling alone. And while resources may exist to further a military spouse’s education, the hard part is finding the time to do it all. “When I started, I was immediately on my own,” Mabani said. “No company or salon to work under. I didn’t want to work under anyone, and I wanted to be able to make my own hours, especially with three small kids and a husband that was always deployed. It was very hard to get my name out — and it still is, but I did everything in my means to get my name out there.”
This challenge hasn’t stopped Mabani from going after her dreams. Like most military spouses, Mabani had to roll up her sleeves and go after what she wanted. “I did a lot of self-promotion to neighbors, friends, family — anyone. I wasn’t pushy, as it really isn’t my style. I just would let people know that I was a makeup artist and did makeup on location,” she said.
It’s right when a steady flow of clients has been established that Mabani, like most military spouses, is forced to pick up and start anew. “I actually have to do this every time we move to a different duty station,” Mabani explained. “Being on my own means I’m responsible for everything — advertising, my own continuing education, as well as doing all of my office work. It has definitely been a learning experience.”
Despite the learning curve, Mabani has been successful and loves what she does. “I love that I’m lucky enough to have my passion be my career. I love that I am able to be creative. I see each face as a new canvas, and I get to create a beautiful and unique piece of art each and every time. But most of all, I love seeing my clients’ faces when I’m done. It’s very rewarding to make someone people feel better about themselves. The trust that comes along with it — it’s an honor.”
Mabani plans to further her education to strengthen her skill set and add special effects services to her business. “To me, knowledge is power and I can’t learn enough,” she said. “I’d eventually like to have a studio and maybe develop a product.”
To learn more about Caras by Mabani or to schedule a session, visit Caras by Mabani’s Facebook page.
