Meet Ivanka Trump's longtime hair and makeup artist: Mexican immigrant Alexa Rodulfo

Alexa Rodulfo is a successful hair and makeup artist with an impressive résumé. The self-taught professional moved to the United States in her 20s and fulfilled her dream of working with New York City’s top photographers, magazines, and brands. Within four years of moving to Manhattan, she built an impressive clientele list and was named a “beloved hair and makeup artist to all the girls,” by Vogue. Among those “girls” was, and still is, Ivanka Trump. “She’s the only person I know who can do my hair and makeup in 45 minutes flat,” Trump told the magazine.

A quick scroll through Rodulfo’s Instagram account shows just how talented she is, with images ranging from her work with Vogue México to shots of her prepping models for a Carolina Herrera fashion show. When she’s not jet-setting around the globe for work, Rodulfo can often be found in Washington, D.C., doing hair and makeup for her longtime client and first daughter, Ivanka Trump. According to Refinery29, Rodulfo began doing Trump’s hair and makeup in late 2005. “Ivanka and her friends were hosting the New York Botanical Garden gala that year, and one of her friends was already a client of mine,” Rodulfo says. “She booked me to do the hair and the makeup for them, and that’s how we met. Since then, we have been working together.”

In the same interview, Rodulfo addresses how her heritage affects her relationship with the Trump family. “Ivanka and Jared both love Mexico and have deep respect for my heritage,” she says. “I have never felt anything from her or her family besides warmth and respect. Not only with Ivanka but also with my other clients. They are very proud of where I come from and what I have accomplished. Everyone knows Ivanka is not only my client, but she has been a wonderful and supportive friend.”

Get to know more about Ivanka Trump’s hair and makeup artist, Alexa Rodulfo, below.

She’s a Mexican immigrant.
Rodulfo is from Juárez, Mexico, and grew up with a passion for becoming a hair and makeup artist. She broke into the beauty industry at a young age and later immigrated to the U.S. to continue her career as a professional hair and makeup artist. Rodulfo describes her migration as a “leap of faith” because she moved to the country without knowing anyone. She was just in her 20s when she began to build up her impressive roster of private clients and fashion magazines in her new home, New York City.

She got her start in the beauty industry as a teenager.
Before moving to the U.S., Rodulfo had already proven herself to be successful in the beauty industry. At the age of 16, with the help and support of her parents, she opened and managed a salon in her hometown. According to her website, she still owns and operates the salon, called Alexa, to this day.

She does hair and makeup for NYC’s elite — and another first daughter.
Soon after immigrating to New York City, Rodulfo assembled an impressive clientele of successful women, including Carolina Herrera, Aerin Lauder, and Wendi Murdoch. She has regularly worked with Ivanka Trump for over 10 years, but that’s not the only first daughter Alexa has worked with — she has also done hair and makeup for Barbara Bush, the eldest daughter of former President George W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush.

She did hair and makeup for Trump’s wedding day and the 2017 inauguration of President Trump.
Ivanka Trump and Rodulfo are close, so it’s only natural that she’s on hand for special events, including her 2009 wedding to Jared Kushner and the 2017 inauguration of her father, Donald Trump. Earlier this year, Rodulfo shared a behind-the-scenes photo from the latter on Instagram with the caption, “Work with people that inspire you,” likely referring to her longtime client and friend.

She has launched her own candle collection.
In 2009, Rodulfo took on a new venture with the launch of the Alexa Rodulfo Candle Collection. The luxury candle line boasts seven scents that come in hand-etched glass and are available on her website. To celebrate the launch of her friend’s new business, Trump herself hosted a cocktail reception at her jewelry boutique just weeks after her wedding day.

She uses a $6 natural mascara on all her clients.
Rodulfo tells Refinery29 that she swears by a $6 mascara, which she picks up at a natural products store when she is back home in Juárez. She uses it on all of her clients, and they all love it, she says. Her secret beauty weapon doesn’t have a brand name, but it is made with avocado seed oil, which helps promote lash growth.

Read more on Yahoo Lifestyle:

• One year later, Ivanka Trump marks anniversary of Charlottesville riots, and people aren’t having it

• Melania and Ivanka Trump twin in floral dresses from Monique Lhuillier and Roland Mouret

• Ivanka Trump wishes future sister-in-law Karlie Kloss happy birthday

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