José Félix

José, since when do you remember wanting to work with hair and makeup? What first drew you to that world?

or as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved styling my sister’s hair and doing my childhood best friend’s makeup. That care and that passion were born with me. Hair was my first enchantment — almost a natural game that grew into something much greater. Makeup came a little later, but it gave me a special sense of confidence and reassurance, both for myself and for the people I work with. That’s what fascinates me most about this world: being able to enhance each person’s beauty while also helping them feel confident and empowered.

In addition to hair and makeup, you also have an academic career and a physiotherapy practice. How do you manage to balance two seemingly different worlds?

Balancing both fields may seem challenging at first, but for me, it’s always felt natural, because both are part of who I am. Physiotherapy gave me discipline, scientific knowledge, and a deep understanding of the body, care, and well-being. Hair and makeup brought me creativity, artistry, and the opportunity to transform and highlight people’s beauty. In the end, I feel the two complement each other: one focuses on caring for the body, the other on the image and self-esteem. The balance comes from my passion for both, and from the way I find time and energy to dedicate myself to what truly makes me happy.

Do you see any connection between your experience as a university lecturer and your work with brides — for example, in how you explain processes, manage expectations, or convey calmness?

Absolutely. My experience as a university professor taught me the importance of clarity, patience, and empathy in communication. With brides, I apply exactly the same principles: I explain every step of the process, listen carefully to their expectations, and bring calm to naturally emotional moments. Just like in the classroom, I aim to create an environment of trust where the person feels safe and understood. In the end, both in teaching and in working with brides, what drives me most is helping someone feel confident and ready to live a special moment.

What made you connect the world of beauty to your more clinical background?

It was the desire to care for people in a more complete way. Physiotherapy taught me to look at the body with precision, attention, and respect, but I’ve always felt that self-esteem and how we see ourselves in the mirror have a huge impact on well-being. Beauty came as a natural extension of that care: while in the clinical area I promote health and functionality, in hair and makeup I enhance confidence and identity. To me, these two worlds aren’t opposites — they’re complementary, both centered on the human being.

Catarina plays a very special role in your team, especially with hair. What is it like to work side by side with your wife?

Working with Catarina is a privilege. Beyond being my wife, she’s an incredible person with a huge heart. Not everyone can say they have someone who supports them 200%. There’s a unique trust and connection between us. We complement each other so well — each brings their own vision and experience, and together we’re able to offer something even more special to those who choose us. Working side by side with her means uniting love and profession, and that’s reflected in the positive energy we bring to our team and to our brides.

Do you feel that working together brings you closer as a couple? Are there moments when you complement each other almost instinctively?

Exactly. Very naturally, our connection as a couple becomes a guiding thread in the service we provide. There are moments when just one look is enough to know what the other is thinking — it’s almost instinctive. That kind of harmony makes our work lighter, more balanced, and full of meaning.

What do you admire most about her talent?

Her incredible calmness. Everything about Catarina is serenity — and that’s exactly what I need, because I’m a true whirlwind. She has this energy that balances me; one look from her is enough to calm me down in a way only she can. Having her by my side, both in life and at work, is truly a gift.

How would you define your style of makeup and hair, and how do you ensure each bride feels true to herself on her wedding day?

I define my style as natural, luminous, and timeless. I love to enhance each bride’s unique beauty, celebrating her features and essence without creating a look that doesn’t represent who she truly is. Hair and makeup are designed harmoniously, to express the personality and style of each woman. My priority is that, on her wedding day, the bride looks in the mirror and recognizes herself — confident, radiant, and authentic. I want her, when she looks back at her photos years later, to feel she was her best self, with an honest and timeless beauty.

How important are durability and comfort, knowing the day is long, full of tears, hugs, and dancing?

Durability and comfort are absolutely essential. I know it’s a long day filled with intense emotions, hugs, tears, and lots of celebration. That’s why every detail of the hair and makeup is designed to last without losing its definition. I work with techniques and products that guarantee long wear, but never at the expense of comfort. The bride must feel beautiful, but also light and free to live every moment without worry. My goal is that from the beginning to the end of the party, she feels confident and flawless — without even thinking about touch-ups.

How does your trial process work with brides? How many trials do you usually do, and what do you hope to understand in those sessions?

The trial process is a key moment. That’s when we start building trust and defining in detail the personalized look for the big day. Usually, I do one full hair and makeup trial about a month before the wedding. I listen carefully to the bride’s ideas and expectations, look at her inspirations, and, above all, observe how she feels with each option. It’s also the perfect time to fine-tune styles, textures, and tones — making sure everything reflects her identity and enhances her natural beauty. The goal isn’t just to find the “perfect look,” but to bring peace of mind, so that on her wedding day, she feels relaxed and focused only on living the moment.

Many brides mention your ability to calm nerves — how do you create that atmosphere of trust and lightness on the wedding morning?

I believe the wedding morning should be lived calmly and joyfully. So I always try to bring serenity from the very first moment. I listen, observe, and adapt to the bride’s rhythm, creating a welcoming and positive environment where she feels cared for and confident. My background as a teacher and physiotherapist helped me develop that ability to communicate with empathy and transmit calm in intense situations. In the end, more than doing makeup or hair, I feel my role is to create a peaceful experience — so the bride starts her day with energy, confidence, and happiness.

What moves you most when the bride looks at herself in the mirror for the first time, fully ready?

What moves me most is seeing that sparkle in her eyes when she recognizes herself in the mirror, all ready. That moment when she realizes she’s seeing the best version of herself — without losing who she is — is always very special. Sometimes it’s a spontaneous smile, other times tears of joy, and that’s when I feel all the care and dedication were worth it. More than makeup or hair, it’s that feeling of confidence and wholeness that deeply touches me.

Do you have any particular story or feedback from a bride that deeply marked you?

I’ve had the privilege of receiving so many beautiful messages over the years, and they’re what truly touch me and fuel what I do — I can’t name just one. Every bride is special to me, and every moment matters. What moves me most is seeing the inner transformation that comes with the outer beauty. When a bride looks in the mirror and recognizes not an idealized version of herself, but her true essence — whether with a smile, tears of joy, or a meaningful silence — I know all the effort was worth it. These testimonials are constant reminders of the human impact of my work: behind the hair and makeup, there’s always a person who deserves to feel unique, loved, and confident.

What truly drives you in this world of weddings and in your role within it?

What truly drives me is the privilege of being part of one of the most important days in someone’s life. A wedding is lived with unique intensity, and being able to help the bride feel confident, authentic, and radiant moves me deeply. My role goes far beyond makeup and hair — it’s about caring, listening, easing anxieties, and creating an atmosphere of trust and calm. What inspires me is seeing that sparkle in the eyes, the spontaneous smile, or the tears of joy when the bride recognizes herself in her best light. Knowing I’ve left a positive mark on that day — a memory that will stay forever — gives meaning and passion to what I do. Just like in physiotherapy, caring is part of my essence.

You write a personal letter to each of your brides — a rare and deeply human gesture. How did that tradition start, and what do you try to convey in each one?

The idea of writing a letter to each bride came from the desire to make the experience even more personal and unforgettable — to eternalize the emotion of the day and, of course, the connection with the makeup artist. I’ve always felt that my role goes beyond makeup and hair — it’s about creating a genuine connection and sharing a unique life moment. The letter is my way of leaving a part of myself — a message that lasts beyond the wedding day. In each one, I try to express care, gratitude, and the certainty that each bride is unique. I want her, when reading it, to feel truly seen and cared for — not just as a client, but as a person. It’s a simple gesture, but one full of meaning, that reflects my way of being: putting my heart into everything I do.

Do you have future dreams — whether in your practice, at the university, or in the world of beauty and weddings — that you can share with us?

To dream is to live, and those who don’t dream don’t grow. In my physiotherapy practice and at the university, I want to keep evolving as a health professional and educator, sharing knowledge and helping others grow. In the world of beauty and weddings, my greatest dream is to continue accompanying brides and teams with the same passion as always — but also to create projects that elevate this experience even further, whether through training, workshops, or new concepts that unite science, well-being, and beauty. What I wish most is to never lose this human connection that moves me: to care, to teach, to inspire, and to transform. If I can continue to unite these dimensions and reach more people in a positive way, I’ll know I’m living my dreams — and that who I am, José Félix, is leaving a mark on people and in the world.