My Experience at the Brand Summit – The Powder Group

Yesterday was an experience I will carry with me for a long time—one that directly reflects what we face as working makeup artists in real time: pressure, timing, unexpected obstacles, and the responsibility to stay present while being watched, evaluated, and relied on for results.

It also deepened something else for me.

A real appreciation for what The Powder Group creates for our industry.

Because what happened during my presentation wasn’t a polished, perfect moment—it was real. And that’s exactly why spaces like this matter. As makeup artists, we invest in education, in community, in growth—and what The Powder Group provides is the opportunity to witness real-time experiences. Not just technique, but how artists navigate pressure, timing, clients, energy, and even technology in the digital age.

This is how we actually learn.

Not just from perfection—but from how we move through the unexpected.

And in that moment, we are all the same.

As makeup artists, we are constantly asked to perform under conditions that are not always ideal. Clients are waiting. Time is limited. Energy is high. Technology is involved. And in those moments, what truly defines us is not just our technique—but our ability to remain grounded, focused, and connected to our craft.

That is exactly what this experience became.

I presented virtually for The Powder Group during The Brand Summit, created by Michael DeVellis—a space where makeup artists come to learn, refine their technique, and be inspired in both artistry and career.

Even writing that now, it still feels surreal.

A few weeks ago, I had done a numerology chart and April 14 stood out to me. It felt aligned. It felt like a day to introduce something meaningful into the world. Not long after, that date was confirmed for the summit—and that alignment stayed with me.

It reminded me that when I listen closely enough, when I trust my intuition, something greater is always guiding me.

Leading up to the summit, I had been pouring everything into building Aurazette. Late nights, sometimes until 5AM. Not because I had to, but because something inside me would not let me stop. The platform isn’t finished, but I knew I wanted to introduce it anyway. It felt like a soft opening into something much bigger.

And creating a website is not new to me.

I’ve been building and working with websites for over 15 years. I understand systems. I understand flow. I know how to connect platforms, troubleshoot, and move through technology with ease. It’s something I’ve become very comfortable with over time.

So when it was time for my session, I was ready.

I had Elena with me as my model. My studio was set. Lights were up. Skin prepped. Energy focused.

And then… everything went wrong.

I logged into Zoom early, like instructed. I could hear Michael, but he couldn’t hear me. I couldn’t activate what I needed to become a presenter. We tried multiple times. Nothing worked.

Then I was told I needed to switch devices.

So I logged out and went to my computer.

That’s when things really started to spiral.

Zoom required a two-step verification process that took minutes each time. Passcodes. Delays. Repeating steps. Over and over. I could feel the pressure rising in my body. The clock was moving. My time slot had already started.

2:00 passed.
2:10 passed.
2:20 passed.

At 2:26, I was still trying to get in.

I had lost half my time.

And what stood out to me most in that moment was this…

This is the exact moment every makeup artist recognizes.

When something goes wrong.
When time is slipping.
When the client is waiting.
When the pressure builds.

And in today’s world, that also includes technology.

Whether it’s lighting, cameras, virtual sessions, content creation, or digital platforms—we are now navigating artistry in a multifaceted way.

And in that moment, we are faced with a choice.

This wasn’t normal for me.

Technology is something I move through with confidence. I don’t usually struggle to connect, troubleshoot, or find solutions quickly. So this resistance felt different. It felt intentional. It felt like something deeper was happening beneath the surface.

It wasn’t just a technical issue.

It was a moment asking something of me.

And in that moment, I felt it… the old patterns. The part of me that learned to survive by controlling everything. The part of me that wanted to panic, rush, force, react.

But something deeper spoke louder.

A calm voice inside me reminded me, everything usually works out for me.

So I chose to stay there.

Grounded. Present. Unshaken.

Because I knew what I was about to share carried over 30 years of lived experience—not just in makeup artistry, but in navigating moments exactly like this.

At 2:26, I finally connected.

Michael introduced me, and I didn’t hesitate.

I began.

I moved through Cozzette Beauty first—the foundation, the vision, the purpose, the journey. The work that the community already knows me for as a makeup artist and educator.

And then I transitioned into Aurazette.

What came through me in that moment felt different. Clear. Fast. Aligned. Like I had tapped into something higher than myself.

There was no resistance. No second guessing.

Just flow.

When it was time for the live demonstration, I introduced Elena, my muse, and began the makeup application. Every brushstroke had intention. Every product had purpose. I spoke not just about what I was doing, but why—for artistry, for photography, for technique, and for how makeup translates in real-world professional environments.

And somehow… I completed her makeup in 20 minutes.

Something that can easily take an hour.

And this is where the lesson becomes real for every makeup artist watching.

Because it wasn’t about speed.

It was about presence under pressure.

It was about trusting your skill set, your eye, your training, and your experience—especially when time is limited and expectations are high.

At one point, Michael’s voice came through again, expressing how impressed he was with what I had just done.

But what stayed with me most wasn’t the time, or even the performance.

It was the opportunity itself.

I felt deeply grateful to be given the space to share my work, my perspective, and my evolution with a community of makeup artists who are all seeking growth, refinement, and deeper understanding of their craft.

I carried that gratitude through every moment of my presentation.

And more importantly, I honored myself in the process.

I wasn’t rushed. I wasn’t scattered.

I was fully in my authority.

And that is the takeaway.

Because as makeup artists, we are not just applying makeup.

We are managing energy.
We are navigating pressure.
We are making decisions in real time.
We are holding presence while creating beauty.

When I closed, I spoke about Cozzette as a foundation, and Aurazette as the evolution—a space where beauty and spirit meet. A place where we grow not just as artists, but as individuals connected through something deeper.

I expressed my gratitude to Michael and the community, and I meant every word.

When it ended, I didn’t feel drained.

I felt whole.

What I realized afterward stayed with me even more than the presentation itself.

I’ve changed.

There was a time in my life where I had to control everything to feel safe. Growing up without my mother, with a father doing everything he could while raising five kids, I learned to survive by managing my environment.

That version of me served a purpose.

But yesterday showed me… I no longer need to live there.

I can trust.
I can flow.
I can stand in who I’ve become.

That moment wasn’t just a presentation.

It was a reflection.

A mirror.

And that is the very reason Aurazette exists.

After years of study, experience, and evolution, I now understand what I am here to do.

I am here to bridge beauty and spirit.

To help makeup artists not only refine their technique—but to deepen their connection to themselves while doing it.

Yesterday was a milestone.

Not because everything went perfectly, but because I didn’t fall apart when it didn’t.

I rose.

And I’m deeply grateful to Michael, to The Powder Group, and to every makeup artist who was present for that moment.

Because we are all navigating these moments.

And we are all learning how to rise through them.

This is only the beginning.

Best, Roque