Meet Alyssa Rodriguez | Actress & Makeup Artist

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

Hi Alyssa, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is everything. If you aren’t willing to risk, you’ll never know your own potential.

Everyday is a gamble. Nothing is guaranteed. I don’t know what’s waiting for me on the other side of a phone call, a door or an email. Life is short and your life can change in an instant. Believe me, I understand this all too deeply. And because I’ve taken risks, I’ve created a life for myself that I’m proud of.

Taking risks has been pivotal in everything that I’ve accomplished both as a makeup artist and actress. Especially as a creative, I see it all the time in makeup and acting, that if you’re playing safe or trying to make something so perfect, it isn’t interesting or compelling. It isn’t art. Go ahead and let AI do it if you want something so perfect and curated. I think art is fully about risks and following your instincts. Our bodies are so intelligent and if something calls me without knowing a solid answer of why, that’s the path I will take. I don’t need things to make sense in the moment, I just trust that it will. They always have.

I think the risk of saying yes is so important. Say yes to things that are out of your comfort zone, you’ll be so surprised by yourself.

And on the topic of risks, I would say to risk going above and beyond. Dare to be great at everything you do. I’ve strived for excellence no matter the task and I will promise you, people notice. I think as a society we’ve become so used to things just being available and accepting the bare minimum. People want the result but there’s so much lack of work ethic. Trust me, when you show up and risk being present and being excellent at it, people notice. You’ll be rewarded ten fold.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Where do I begin? First, thanks so much for inviting me to share my story! I’m Alyssa, (uh-lee-suh), a native Houstonian from Spring and lived and worked in Los Angeles as a professional actress and makeup artist for the past twelve years. I’m now able to work from anywhere and am so happy to be home in Houston! Here’s just a little bit of my journey.

While studying journalism at the University of Houston, I began my beauty career at MAC Cosmetics nearly twenty years ago. I started at Macy’s Willowbrook and was asked to join the team at The Houston Galleria, one of the highest volume stores at the time. I also worked alongside a now celebrity MUA you may know and love, I’ll let you guess. I learned so much, not just about makeup but about life. I was able to work so many people on both sides of the counter. I was trained and given the skills to be of service to people and became well versed in working with diverse skin tones, types and textures. That was on top of making sales, educating clients and juggling makeup applications all in stilettos. It was like a beauty bootcamp and gave me so many life skills, from communication, problem solving and conflict resolution. Anyone who wants to be a makeup artist should definitely start at a counter. You’ll receive training, an education and experience that can’t be taught from a tutorial. Mastering makeup on others with completely different features than yours is the skill.

I graduated and did an internship at ABC-13. I enjoyed storytelling, but the news wasn’t for me. I chose to pursue my dream of being an actor. I did some films here in Houston for experience but wanted to give myself a real shot. The Texas market is smaller and back then, there wasn’t much filming here so January 2012, I headed west to L.A. My dad helped me pack up my car and my most prized possession, my makeup kit. I moved into a room for rent from Craigslist, sight unseen. I know, saying this outlaid sounds crazy! I started taking acting classes and working towards my goal. I did a number of casting workshops to learn about different offices. But every actor needs a side hustle and I’m so grateful for mine because it’s something I enjoyed. I was able to freelance at the MAC counters all over L.A., while able to pursue my dream. I even had a casting friend come to my MAC events. I cannot stress the importance of building relationships and doing great work in all facets of your life. The world is small and people will talk. Let your work and work ethic speak for itself.

There came a point where it was either give up and go home or go union and continue the hustle. The Texan in me did not allow me to give up. The day I joined SAG-Aftra things really got going. I remember distinctly the day I paid my $3,200 union dues to be a professional actor. I had coffee with a friend who was visiting and she said “when are you moving home, this acting thing is silly.” Then I got a call and she mocked “oh, is that your agent?” It was. It was an audition to go straight to producers for a guest star on The Mentalist. I still can’t believe it. I still remember walking in to a room of about 20 people, and the casting director said, “just look at me.” I didn’t book The Mentalist, but they have cast me in multiple shows and actually just auditioned for them yesterday via Zoom for a show in Chicago. Fortunately, later week I booked my first co-star on a little show called Criminal Minds. I kept auditioning and auditioning, and my next booking wasn’t until a year later and I worked opposite Anthony Anderson on Blackish. Things continued to grow from there but being an actor is demanding. You would have to drop everything to go in-person to an audition. I knew so many people who quit their jobs, so you can imagine how important it is to be an entrepreneur to run your own schedule. Being a makeup artist gave me that flexibility.

Once I had a solid television resume, I felt more comfortable sharing with people that I was a professional MUA. Word got out and then when I was in the audition rooms, they would ask me, “what foundation should I use for my auditions/headshots,” or “how should I do my makeup for a commercial versus a soap opera?” Then a few friends started asking me to do their makeup for headshots and short films. This was the real game changer. I had something very unique to offer. I met a photographer of Brett Richards Photography, and the rest was history. We started working together and while I had 13 years of professional experience working with clients, Brett helped me build my actor headshot portfolio. I had really perfected the no-makeup-makeup look for actors, opposed to my regular full glam that I was used to working with. I found a unique niche and was being of service to my fellow artists, it was such a light bulb moment.

February 2020, I rebranded from Making it with Makeup to Look The Part Book The Part. I had plans to relaunch into my beauty business, and then… Covid hit. I came home to Houston in March to ride out what we thought would be two weeks. I was home until October. I started to do some makeup tutorials and looks, but was living out of a suitcase, but I wasn’t in my own space. I didn’t have all my tools so most of my business plans and passion fell by the wayside. Looking back, I wish I would have that utilized time more as a creative outlet but don’t regret anything. I came back to L.A. and actually booked a guest star on 9-1-1 Lonestar, a show set in Austin, filmed in L.A. So grateful to have worked. That fall I did makeup for my dear friend and actress/director Chelsea Blechman (also a native Houstonian and fellow Coog!) and her photographer Leah Huebner said, “who did your makeup? I need to know her!” So I reached out to Leah and was on her list and started working consistently in L.A. Covid had essentially shut down production so I had something else to fall back on. I continued to work on my own terms and was still being creative, collaborative, on-set and in service to other artists. Covid was such a strain on production and many of my friends and colleagues couldn’t work. There wasn’t much in Los Angeles, but production slowly came back 2021. Covid testing for projects ended around May 2023, then….

The WGA and SAG-Aftra strikes began in May 2023 and lasted well into November. Production was at a standstill. There was no work. It was forbidden. For many of us, acting was all we knew. We were making our health insurance, making a living, booking commercials and tv and VoiceOver that kept us afloat. Having that taken away again is indescribable. That’s when I was so grateful to have something else, my beauty business to lean into. I was doing bridal makeup, red carpets, galas, entrepreneur pop-ups, demo reels, photoshoots, you name it. I was able to stay creative while building relationships with new people. Any advice for any artist, is to be a Swiss army knife and have other assets to keep you going. Have multiple skill sets, whether you’re able to do social media, be a production assistant, a makeup assistant, or a desk job. Come to the table with things to offer and be of service. An artist’s life can be challenging, so it’s better to be well equipped.

With all that being said, that’s how I created Look The Part Book The Part. It’s so personal to me and what I can offer clients. My unique life experience is what sets me apart from others. I have 20 years of professional makeup experience, as well as the experience of being on-camera on over 17 network television shows where I’ve learned from other top film and television makeup artists. I have learned from both sides of the camera and because of my experience, I am a trustworthy person for anyone who has beauty needs. Now that auditions are remote and my makeup kit goes wherever I go, I moved home to be closer to my family and share what I’ve learned. My rep was incredibly supportive and said he had many clients all over, that I wouldn’t be missing anything. He hasn’t been wrong.

I supposed what I’m most proud of is that I chose this journey and path all on my own. I am proud that I’ve managed to combine my two passions and able to balance the two. When I have one hat on, that’s the role I’m in. Being able to be focus and concentrate on whatever is at hand is essential. I’m proud that I’ve remained resilient through so many life challenges and choose to show up. I’m also really proud of myself for taking a break when I needed it. That’s the one thing I think people forget. We are human. We aren’t machines. We need rest, both physically, mentally and emotionally. You can’t be running at all cylinders 24/7 for years. You will burn out. I learned the hard way.

It’ll sound strange, it was really challenging sharing who I was and all my gifts. I didn’t share with my actor friends I was a makeup artist. I was convinced I could only be one thing. People’s perception of you is just convenient for them. They’d would tell me, “but you’re a makeup artist not an actor.” Why can’t I be both? I’m an artist. I think it can be difficult others to accept that you’re good at multiple things when they’re afraid to try. At one point, it became challenging managing both careers. There was a day where I was reading for Jane the Virgin and I asked the photographer and the client if they could push 2 hours before or after so I could go in-person. They were accommodating, but the client said, “you need to choose one, I’m paying you to be here.” Which was completely valid. It became a really delicate dance of communication and having to make tough decisions and sacrifices. Or if I was on a commercial shoot or short as MUA for two to five days, I had to book out with my agents and not be able to be submitted for auditions. I had to become very clear on my scheduling and availability and having replacement artists available. Thankfully now, everything is a self-tape and don’t run into that issue anymore.

A few lessons or bits of wisdom I would share would be: trust yourself; you don’t need to explain yourself or your vision to anyone; take time to rest and heal; have multiple skillsets; don’t compare yourself to anyone, you’re on your own journey; no one owes you anything; don’t be entitled; don’t believe everything you see on socials; be mindful; be kind; allow your reputation and work ethic will precede you.

I supposed what I would want people to know is that you can go after anything you want, you just have to commit and allow it to evolve. There’s no point in living in the past or reminisce about the golden days. I’m still training, I’m in class, I’m constantly growing, learning, trying things outside of my comfort zone and growing as an human and artist. I want people to know that you can live your life and make your art on your own terms, it isn’t supposed to look a certain way. And while I have a beautiful portfolio of clients and incredible resume under my belt, that’s only what you see. You don’t see the work, the grind, the tenacity, the tears, the almosts, the pitches, the auditions that go into making a body of work. You only see the 1% of the work that an artist has done.

I’m just grateful to be back home and have been welcomed by the creative community. I’ve been focusing on glam for weddings and galas, was offered to do makeup for a short film, performed in a staged reading at STAGES, teaching acting and VoiceOver, and I’m continually looking to glam clients for both on-camera and their special events. I offer makeup services, private audition coaching and career coaching/assessment. I would love to expand my network of photographers and filmmakers and create some beautiful work together. I’m open to meeting friends and likeminded people to rebuild a community here. I really can’t wait to see what’s next in this new chapter of my life! Thank you so much for taking the time to hear a little bit about my story!

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?
I’d love for y’all to tell me! After living 12 years in Los Angeles, I’m re-discovering my hometown and it’s been so much fun! A few things I’ve done so far: I love the theaters STAGES and The Alley. They have an incredible pool of talent and their shows are so amazing! Always love a good Astros game or a concert. I love The River Oaks Theatre. They have a great selection of movies, new and classics, and you can grab a drink and a dinner and their seats and theaters are just divine (also great way to beat the heat!). I just went to Trattoria Sofia and the food was amazing. The cacio e pepe and picante sopressata pizza were chef’s kiss. I love Postinos! They have a great wine selection, great patio, are super knowledgeable and have a great little sandwich and salad combo that you can’t beat. Toulouse takes me back my favorite city of Paris! They have great cocktails and it’s great for people watching. And of course: Ninfa’s on Navigation. You can’t visit Houston without having great Mexican food! Their green salsa and margaritas are what dreams are made of. I also love The Woodlands Market Street for something easy. There’s shopping, great patios and easy parking. I’ve travelled all over the world and lived in one of the biggest cities and love being home in Houston. It’s so special. It’s so unique. We have so much to offer, so much diversity and so much opportunity. Whether it’s music, theatre, fashion, food, experiences, shopping, sports, museums– there is always something to do and see. I’ve only scratched the surface, so would love to for y’all to send them my way!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to dedicate this to my family and my artistic community. My family is my biggest support system and part of why I felt safe to move home to Houston to continue working on my dreams. My success wouldn’t be without my creative community as they continue to encourage and inspire me because while we have been through a number of hardships and challenges together, they stay resilient and inspire me.

Website: www.lookthepartbookthepart.com; www.alyssagabriellerodriguez.com

Instagram: @alyssagabriellerodriguez (personal) @lookthepartbookthepart (beauty)

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssagabriellerodriguez/

Twitter: https://x.com/soyalyrodriguez

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlyssaGabrielleRodriguez ; https://www.facebook.com/lookthepartbookthepart

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alyssagabriellerodriguez
Imdb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3925368/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Image Credits
My photo with makeup brush: @HuebnerHeadshots aka Leah Huebner
60’s Bubble shoot: @LaurenTakesPix aka Lauren Desberg
Christine Tremoulet ( watermarked)
Bride with husband: @itlaphoto @em.k.lau
Blonde in red: @parkburrphoto
Bride with mother and sister: @theidophotography
Girl in leather Jacket: @huebnerheadshots
Blonde bride: Not found
Auburn bride: @mos_images