Bringing Out Inner Beauty - Ann Paris @delaparisbeauty
- Kindred Curiosity
- Oct 20
- 5 min read
What makes you feel beautiful? Makeup is often an answer for many, with its ability to boost confidence and inspire creativity. Ann Paris of Dela Paris Beauty uses makeup to bring out her clients' inner beauty on their special day. Keep reading to learn about Ann's story, makeup tips, and Dela Paris Beauty.
What made you curious about the beauty industry?
I first started playing with makeup when I was enrolled in Filipino Folk Dance at 9 years old! We needed to learn how to put on stage makeup, but I have always gravitated towards more natural glam looks for myself off stage. In college, I studied Hospitality and entered the wedding industry through event planning in Orange County. This is where I found that there was a need for more Asian and Filipino artists for brides.
What is something about the beauty/makeup industry that you think more people should know about?
I wish people knew that most beauty products are multi-purpose and to never be afraid to experiment with what you already own before buying a new item. For example using liquid blushes as a lip tint.
Can you tell us about key milestones and significant events that have shaped your business’s journey up to the present day? (i.e. Jan 2023 - Established LLC for business, Mar 2023 - Officially opened business, etc.)
August 2016 - Graduated from SJSU, moved to Orange County and started my Makeup and Hair Side Hustle doing business as BrownAnnBeautiful, an ode to my name and Filipina Morena complexion
Oct 2020 - May 2021 - During the pandemic, I went to beauty school for my Esthetician License to provide bridal clients facial services and lash extensions in addition to my hair and makeup service menu
September 2021 - Rented out my first-ever salon space at Sola Salons in Sunnyvale and changed my business name to Dela Paris Beauty, a play on my unique last name (Dela Cruz + Paris) after getting married in 2019!
August 2022 - Moved to Salon Republic in Sunnyvale, where I currently have my salon space (Studio 906)
December 2024 - May 2025 - I went back to beauty school full time for my cosmetology license to broaden my hairstyling skills while still working full time.
Present day - Supporting almost 100 brides since starting my business
Tell us about the product/service you are most proud of.
I am most proud of my Full Bridal Beauty Experience: This includes bridal hair and makeup preview appointment, customized skincare/haircare support, day of services, and final touches! When brides choose to trust and work with me, our collaboration to create their dream wedding look is something that truly fills my cup!! My service expands far beyond the wedding day but starts as soon as clients inquire and can continue on after they walk down the aisle.
What do you tell yourself whenever you encounter a challenge or setback with your business?
“It’s okay not to know the solution right away.”
“If this were easy, everyone would have a business–you got this!”
When things get really rough, I just ask my husband “should I try finding a corporate job???” half kidding, half not! :’)
How has your cultural identity influenced your journey so far, if at all?
Being a Filipina creative entrepreneur is something I take so much pride in and do my very best to intertwine in my business approach and community networking.
There are very few of us who take up space in the bridal industry full time in the Bay Area, and I am so fortunate to show up for Filipina and Asian clients who want their artist to have similar features to them so they can trust that we can make them look and feel beautiful, no matter the age!
In addition to the services you offer, you are currently in your “YouTube Influencer Era” and have posted vlogs/shorts of your life as a beauty artist. What drives the inspiration behind your vlogs?
I’m definitely only scratching the surface of my YouTube influencer era with cross-posting my IG and Tiktok content. It’s so much fun, and I’m happy people resonate with the videos I share, whether they find it educational or gain more empathy on how much goes into running a beauty business as a First Gen Filipino-American. Social media takes alot of discipline, time, and effort, but it also has been a creative outlet for me to express myself and to be a form of documentation to look back on how freakin’ cool my job and career is!
On your Instagram, you mention that you’re “here to support the no-makeup makeup lovers feel confident on their wedding day.” What inspires you to make this a core focus of your business?
The gratification I feel when revealing to a client their final look and they say, “I look beautiful” before they say “my makeup looks beautiful,” is unmatched. I believe my style of makeup application highlights the individual more than the products.
I’m always inspired by showing up for my clients who seek to embrace their natural beauty. There are so many individuals who barely wear makeup and need an artist who will educate and ease them back into wearing multiple products with zero fear of it looking heavy or them looking unrecognizable on such an important day in their life.
In the same vein, what makes you feel the most confident? (This is totally up to interpretation!)
Good Hair, Good Makeup, Good Outfit.
To leave the house looking good, I need to have at least two of these checked off. If all three are checked off, I’m most definitely looking good, feeling good, and feeling confident! And of course, there are days when I only check one of these requirements off (or none) and I still keep going!
You recently earned your license for cosmetology– congratulations! Where do you see yourself and your company in the next 3 years?
Thank you!! In the next three years, I hope to continue to support brides on their special day as their go-to artist in the Bay Area. Recently, I have been invited to travel for weddings in Southern California, and I hope to support more destination brides in other states and abroad (Hawaii and Europe would be a dream)! Lastly, I plan to tap into the mentorship/education space to help newly licensed beauty professionals set themselves up for success with styling tips, business best practices, customer service, and more!
Share another Asian-women-owned small business or entrepreneur that inspires you!
Kurated Kultura, owned and operated by Alexa Zapata!
Chichai Mateo, Public Art Muralist
Rachelle Celeridad, Vibrant Stems Florist
What is the last thing you were curious about?
How can I be a more conscious consumer in the beauty space while also wanting to try new products thoroughly without being wasteful?
What can the community help you with?
Help me spread self-love! If you or anyone you know is planning their wedding, encourage them that there are makeup and hair artists like me who can help you love the skin you're in and redefine your beauty standards. Just because it's your wedding day and you feel the need to look elevated, you can still look like yourself and feel confident in your skin with the proper skin prep and level of glam that feels comfortable to you!
Ann's journey helps us learn how to find our inner beauty and provides a look into the life of a Makeup Artist. To learn more about and visit Dela Paris Beauty, check out the links below:
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