Meet Cooper Cercy | Makeup Artist, Esthetics, Beauty & Wellness

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

Hi Cooper, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
As cliche as it is, one of my favorite sayings is, “one step at a time.” As a creative, my mind for most of my life has been flooded with ideas & enthusiasm, which can become nearly paralyzing when you don’t have the proper tools to organize & move forward. I’ve taken so many different routes, particularly in adulthood, so making everything fit together can seem daunting… which leads me to getting out of your head and into your body… aka finding that flow, being yourself, and letting things come to then pour out of you. Straight from the heart.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
First and foremost, I’d like to say that everything is art; from how we function and take care of ourselves on a daily basis, to the literal creative process. We are orchestrating our lives and get to choose what instruments, notes, vocals, etc. to form a beautiful symphony. With that being said, I have a unique and typically positive outlook, which has been most beneficial within business, friendships, and life as a whole. Having a makeup background has also seemed to serve me well with standing out, generally speaking.

I’m currently in a transition phase; trying to fit another piece into my puzzle with an Esthetician License. This was my main goal when moving to Denver 4 years ago, but was put on hold as the school was full at the time… yet, they offered massage, and I thought, “well, I like making people feel good, so why not?” During this time, I was going through life altering events that felt world shattering and was diagnosed with PTSD. Looking back, I am honestly baffled with how I handled things and managed to push through. Pain might be my greatest teacher and the small-town Wyoming girl in me is so proud for turning that into power.

As mentioned, I’ve taken so many routes; from college, makeup school, becoming a business owner of a clothing & makeup store (now closed), a massage student & esti grad… it’s all finally coming together. I’m finding the right melody for that orchestra and am incredibly excited to share newfound knowledge & experiences, whether it’s through sound, touch, visually. I’m here to make others feel seen, heard, and valued, tenfold.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Where do I begin?! Denver and Colorado as a whole is so special and sacred to me… but the Lo-Hi area has such a beautiful feel, so first stop would be Little Man Ice Cream. It’s legitimately the best ice cream I’ve ever had, and they have vegan options too! From there you can walk down the street and cross a bridge into Confluence Park, take the lap and take in the city from “afar.” Another park that is (literally) near and dear to me is Sloan’s Lake. It’s close to my home so I often walk my dogs there at sunset to sit and admire the lake and just be.

Next stop would be Nurture, a Wellness Center. The ambiance is beyond grounding, which makes sense given the name. They have a lovely cafe with yummy meals, some of my favorite smoothies, and occasional events/vendors where you really get a feel for Denver’s wellness community. Another great feature of that spot is the Himalayan Salt Room that you can rent out for 45 minutes or so. The salt particles fly through the air and help with inflammation, stress, headaches and so much more. Such a calming experience.

Another stop that feels truest to self would actually be somewhere in the mountains; whether it be a hike, a small mountain town with gift shops, or just cruising and singing along to a special playlist. A cruise through and around Denver by car or foot is always on the table, too.

Each day would maybe have a different park, restaurant, bar, or even museum, but would always close at my home. I am fortunate enough to own and have poured my heart into it. It is a more modern build, light & bright with plants (both real and fake) and other eye-catching features dangling from the ceiling, lot’s of cozy blankets, memorabilia, and some of my own paintings disbursed throughout. The real star of the show, though, is my rooftop. There is a view of the city and mountains with a fire pit & string lights. Sitting out there always seems to help my mental state.
If not obvious, my home is my sanctuary, and I’ve really come to appreciate having a safe space for myself and others.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My father, L Makeup Institute, Sonja Lilljeberg, my therapist, Denver School of Integrative Massage, Denver School of Botanical & Medical Aesthetics, all of my supporters/closest friends, and every creative daring to share who they are with the world.

Instagram: @cooperjcercy

Other: Website is currently underway and will be up soon!

Image Credits
Tawni Moore PS Wedding Photography Kelsie Herzogg Cari Faye Antonovich Abby Fowles