Lilliam Penaloza, 43, was born and raised in Puerto Rico where she took up cosmetology at the Modern Hairstylist Institute in Carolina while studying French at Alliance Francaise. Her aspirations to become a Master Hair Dresser lead her to continue her studies in Paris from 1998 to 2000 at the Academie Francaise de Coiffure FormulaA. Here Penaloza studied hair cutting techniques as well as up-do’s, coloring/highlights and make-up.
Being homesick and feeling the need to return back to her country, Penaloza moved back to Puerto Rico upon graduating and was determined to find work in the best salon on the island. That salon happened to be Wanda Montes Salon in Isla Verde, where she worked 10 years as an advanced hairstylist. Here she did everything from simple haircutting to drastic client makeovers.
Wanda Montes Salon was Penaloza’s training-ground as a makeup artist, where she worked with big companies and events such as Wea Latina, Sony Music, Emmy Latin, Billboard, Miss Universe and the Latin Grammys. This allowed her to style big-name artist in the Latin arena such as Ricky Martin, Shakira, La India, Chayanne, Alejandro Sanz, Marc Anthony and many more. During this season, Penaloza acquired the skills to develop a successful image for people in the industry for music videos, tv shows, concerts, magazine and photo shoots.
At the height of her career, Rusk, one of the world’s biggest beauty companies, came to Puerto Rico to recruit talented stylists who had a potential to educate other up-and-coming hairdressers. Penaloza went through a four-day try-out/audition for Rusk to become a designer, in which she was accepted. Here she discovered her passion for teaching and began her journey to becoming an International Master Desginer, the position she holds today.
As an International Master Designer, Penaloza shares her wealth of knowledge to hairdressers around the world; United States, Canada and Latin America. The most current places she has visited are Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mexico, Argentina and more. Her future goals include working in the mainstream media such as film, tv and magazines, but also doing makeovers and helping everyday people. “I do not want to limit myself to a certain class of people,” Penaloza says, “My favorite people to work with, are those who have the greatest need.” She will continue to educate and give her knowledge and talents to those who are willing to learn.
Penaloza lives and works in Orlando, where she lives with her family and enjoys life to the fullest!.
