www.masbakersfield.com

Who's Reading MÁS

Age: 32
Profession: Hair and makeup artist and co-owner of Modéle The Art of Beauty Salon & Boutique. 
Personal: Parents Henry and Mary; a brother, Enrique, 29, and a sister, Michelle, 26.
After working years in hair and makeup, Duarte decided to open her own business with her sister this year. When she isn’t working at her salon, she’s working as a professional artist for MAC Cosmetics.

Making faces: “About eight years ago I went to beauty school and I worked right after I graduated from school. I also worked at MAC. I love doing hair and makeup because I love making people look beautiful. It’s a great feeling.”

Sister-sister: “It’s funny working with her because as kids I used to hate her. I would lock her out of our room and would divide our room in half. My bed was by the door, so I would charge her .15 cents to come into our room to change. Now, I love working with her. She’s the brains behind the business. I miss her when she’s not around.”

Hawaiian hotties: “I love Hawaii. I took my sister with me last year. It’s beautiful there, plus they have hot Samoan men and sailors over there, too. Hopefully next year I can take the whole family there.”

Burning the midnight fat: “With running my salon and working at MAC, I don’t have much free time. When I do have free time I go to the gym. It helps me relax and stay focused. Sometimes I’m there at midnight, but I make sure I go workout. ”

100 percent pure love: “My parents are my inspiration because they support me 100 percent in everything I do. This morning, my dad was outside cleaning the patio for me. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without them.”

Making the impossible possible: “‘Nothing is impossible’ because I never thought I would own my own business and that’s what I’m doing now.”

— Interview & Photo by Luz Peña/MÁS staff