Meet Alexandra Graves | Hair and Makeup Artist and Cosmetology Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandra Graves and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexandra, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I feel incredibly blessed to be in an artistic career because being in the beauty industry means, I can fully express myself and help others express themselves to the max. It’s not all about looking your best, It’s about feeling your best in your own skin. I try really hard to inspire people to get a little bit more edgy, and try to really push that creativity to the max. The beauty industry is all about uplifting and celebrating all walks of life. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching the confidence grow in someone as they look at themselves in the mirror, even if they’re just minor little things that you changed about their appearance that helped them feel there best. I whole heartedly believe everyone deserves to feel beautiful!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love my art and what I do. Growing up my parents gave me creative freedom over my appearance. I took this and ran with it. Creating makeup and hair looks on myself and other people became my art. I learned that hair and makeup not only became a creative outlet for me, but creating on others created an undeniable confidence within my clients. I could tell you that my techniques and skill set me apart from other people in the industry however, I truly believe that my idea of always treating people with kindness and spreading positivity is what sets me apart. At times working in creative environments can be stressful and tough to work in. This is exactly why I always use the advice that my parents gave me which is to always spread kindness and positivity where ever I go. Everyone is a piece of art on their own.

I found my love for Hair and makeup at a young age. I always did other girls hair and makeup for prom, cheerleading, and drama club. When Halloween would come around, I would get super into creating new monsters using makeup. Since my parents always let us express ourselves, I would cut and color my brother’s hair. I will never forget the night my brother and I were bored and he let me give him a blue mohawk. This lead to me coloring and cutting my whole family’s hair.

When I turned 18 years old in 2012, I packed my stuff up into my shitty Honda and drove to Denver and off to beauty school I went on some hopes and dreams! When I was beauty school, I was in Design Team. In design team we did fashion shows and photoshoots and that’s where my new passion lives. After graduating beauty school, I worked at a photography studio as an editorial hair and makeup artist. I styled all types of hair textures and created and executed makeup on all skin types and tones. I am proud to say I have taken the time to learn all hair types, textures and skin tones in my craft. I did this for about 10 years. During this time I also started at I Do Beauty Boutique. I Do Beauty Boutique is where my love for the bridal business started. Though all of these opportunity’s is how I was able to get started with the Miss CO Beauty Pageants, Broncos Cheerleaders, Weddings, Denver Fashion Week and even Paris Fashion Week.

The journey of getting to where I am today wasn’t easy. It required a lot of self advocation and creating connections through going out and talking to people the old fashioned way. Making connections is key to this industry.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I were to grab a coffee in would be Hello Darling or Moore Cafe and Bakery. For dinner and drinks I love Room for Milly, Linger and Machete. If you’re trying to go out and dance I would do X Bar and Gin Mill.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to give so much credit to my parents! I am sooooo blessed to have them! My parents truly are the most open minded people. At a young age they gave my brother and I an ultimatum. They told us that we can express ourselves and be who we wanted to be as along as we were good humans. We got to style our hair, chose how we wanted to dressed, and decorate our rooms however we wanted as along as we were good people. It was less about grades and school and more about being good humans. As any parents would, they still wanted us to stay out of trouble, but they also wanted us stand up for someone if they were getting bullied and sit with anyone who was sitting alone. I grew up with parents who let us choose our own religion, love who we wanted to love, and they encouraged us to pursue whatever career we wanted. They encouraged us to be open minded and to always lead with kindness and positivity. My parent’s let my brother and I think for ourselves and be who we are and always encouraged and believed in us along the way. Growing up in a small town in South Dakota wasn’t easy, because not everyone thought this way and for that I am so grateful for having the parents I did. I wish everyone in the world got to grow up without judgement. I truly believe if everyone got to grow up the way I did, it would make the world a kinder and more positive place.
Thank you mom and dad for always loving us no matter what.

Website: https://Www.rawbeautybyalexandra.com

Instagram: a_graves_

Facebook: Raw Beauty the Salon

Image Credits
@noahbergphotography
@mikecon
@lnewhousephotography
@jennuh