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Mila Victoria in a December 2007 issue of C'est La Vie magazine.
Photo from thisislavie.com |
One look at Mila Victoria’s resume and some might assume the 26-year-old was some sort of rich Toronto socialite: she has travelled to Europe multiple times, boasts famous connections such as Ellen Pompeo from Grey’s Anatomy, and she maintains commitments to various charities.
Victoria is actually just a freelance makeup artist and photographer trying to make ends meet by doing what she loves.
“The hardest and most exciting part about being freelance is that you don’t know what jobs are coming up. You just believe and have faith, and you just have to keep working.”
Growing up with her mother in downtown Toronto, Victoria says she was anything but a model student during high school. She routinely skipped class without worry about her grades, and when Grade 11 came around, she had no idea what she wanted to do with her life.
“I had really low self-esteem growing up and I always compared myself to other girls, so I used to wear a lot of make-up and nice clothes to hide myself,” Victoria says. “I would miss school because it was raining outside and I didn’t want to mess up my hair. It was that bad.”
One day during one of her class, some of the girls were talking about things they hated about themselves.
“I would tell them, 'No, you're gorgeous', and I would list all the features I loved about them. Then I would offer to do their makeup so that maybe they could see what I see,” says Victoria.
From that day on, Victoria decided makeup was a passion she wanted to pursue for the rest of her life, and that she would try a hand at teaching herself photography. She hasn’t looked back.
“I started going on this old website, Asian Avenue, with all my pictures and makeup work. I also had a Livejournal and people from all over the world would visit that. Then I started a Facebook group where I posted all my photo shoot pictures," She says. "The way I really got successful was through word of mouth. I just tried to meet new people and put myself out there because you can’t hide yourself under a rock.”
Justin Lowe, a close friend of Victoria’s since 2007, says her persona is the reason she is so successful.
“She has always been confident and fearless. She’s really good at networking and her outgoing personality makes it really easy for people to relate to her.”
He says her zest for life and positive attitude separate her from other aspiring makeup artists.
“I think she’s very driven, and her ability to connect with people helps her in her social life and her business relationships. She believes in helping everyone, whether you’re a friend, family, or stranger.”
Victoria’s mother was skeptical about her career choice at first, but when Victoria landed her first makeup gig in Los Angeles, she realized her daughter's love of makeup wasn't just a hobby. Victoria went to L.A. for a talent and acting convention to do makeup for aspiring stars, it was “the kind of convention where celebrities get discovered,” she says.
As Victoria built up her resume from internships she found around Toronto, she became involved with charities like the Remix Project, a program that disadvantaged teens who are interested in media arts, music and creative design gain experience with real professionals.
“I’m one of the photographers that help in the fashion-directed workshops. I help them develop and understand the fashion industry and I give them support, because when you’re starting out you need support to not feel little.”
Victoria is also involved with the Filipino Arts Community in Toronto, where she does the photo shoots for young women interested in art. As she says she believes in "the power of every girl", Victoria has hosted her own prom contest since 2006. All the girl have to do is join a Facebook group Mila Victoria sets up every year before prom and write the information on the group's wall. Eventually, one girl is selected to get a free photo shoot complete with hairstyling, makeup, and outfits.
Pictured above: Samantha Faye Dicion, winner of Victoria's 2010 Prom Contest. Photo courtesy of Milavictoria.com
“It doesn’t matter how a girl looks, I started this prom contest because I think that every girl should have a chance to feel pretty. I still want to make (the contest) bigger.”
One of Victoria’s happiest moments was winning a runway makeup competition in 2009 at the Toronto Makeup Show.
“I really went over the top. I broke down everything from the nails to the hair, and it was more than just ‘I like sparkles’. It was a story. The judges were really impressed and when I won I wanted to throw up. I was really happy because I didn’t put myself out there before (the competition) and I worked really hard.”
As for what point she wants to reach in her career until she decides she is happy, Victoria has no answer.
“I’m always planning something. I’m planning to work in the United Kingdom and I want to work for Vogue. You can’t stay in a box and say ‘This is what I do’. You have to keep experiencing and being a people person.”
Victoria’s job as a makeup artist has made her feel useful, and because she believes in constant positivity, she takes nothing for granted.
“I’m a human being before I’m a makeup artist. My biggest advice is to try not to compare yourself (to others), let it be an inspiration instead. Just learn the ropes, have a strong foundation and take it from there.”
