Barbie Patel Arrunategui

Barbie Patel

Founder, Master Educator
& Artist

Barbie Patel – Founder of Cinderella Bridez | South Asian Bridal Beauty Expert | Global Educator & Entrepreneur

Barbie Patel is the visionary founder behind Cinderella Bridez, a globally recognized bridal beauty agency specializing in Indian and South Asian weddings. With over 17 years of experience, she has become one of the most trusted names in the luxury wedding industry, known for her deep cultural expertise, flawless artistry, and commitment to professionalism.

Barbie’s journey into beauty began at a young age when she discovered the transformative power of red lipstick. Although she followed a traditional path and pursued higher education, it was during her own wedding planning that she uncovered a major gap in the industry—a lack of reliable, culturally competent beauty professionals for South Asian brides. After struggling through disappointing makeup trials and a delayed hairstylist on her wedding day, Barbie took matters into her own hands. That moment inspired her to build what would become one of the top bridal beauty agencies in the country.

Under Barbie’s leadership, Cinderella Bridez has grown into an elite team of licensed artists and stylists who have served brides across New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, and Washington D.C., as well as destination weddings in Italy, Spain, Greece, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and the Caribbean. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Brides Magazine, The New York Times, Forbes, Wedding Sutra, The Knot, and USA Today, and on television networks including Bravo’s “Family Karma” and “The Real Housewives of New York.”

Barbie has personally worked with renowned celebrities and influencers including Mini Mathur, Deepica Mutyala, Richa Sadana, Shital Patel, Anip Patel and Arti Lalwani. She is regularly invited to speak on industry podcasts and panels, sharing her insights on bridal beauty, entrepreneurship, and cultural representation in the wedding space.

In addition to running her beauty agency, Barbie is a passionate educator and mentor. She is the founder of Beauty CEO University, an online platform that empowers freelance artists and beauty professionals to build six-figure businesses through social media strategy, branding, and business development. She also recently launched Luxx Escapes, a destination wedding travel service that curates seamless wedding experiences for multicultural couples around the world.

From South Asian wedding glam to destination bridal styling and beauty business coaching, Barbie Patel is redefining what it means to be a luxury artist and entrepreneur. Her mission is simple: to help every bride feel seen, celebrated, and stunning on the most important day of her life.

Sharon initially began her start in the makeup industry through the beauty industry, working mostly with skincare and makeup products. After 4 years, her interest in makeup application grew, and she started working in Sephora, where she took makeup courses and received certification. After about 6 years, she began working for Cinderella Bridez.

One of her favorite aspects of working in the bridal industry is the relationships she forms with her clients. She loves being part of the happiness and excitement that makeup can bring. Being a successful makeup artist in this industry requires a lot of passion, and she brings this love and personalization with her every time she works with a new bride!

Sharon
Master Artist
 

Manider's 12 years of experience in the makeup industry started at Cinderella Bridez! After seeing Barbie's work on social media, she knew she could improve her own craft by joining the team.

She began working as an intern, and began working alongside Barbie once she officially joined. She loves the interpersonal connections she makes with her clients. She feels that once she understands her clients, she can really make their inner beauty shine.

Although she primarily focused more on makeup, she has grown to appreciate doing different hairstyles for her brides, especially the classic updo look. 

Maninder
Master Artist
 

Sarah is a highly trained, certified makeup artist and licensed hairstylist. Her love for art and makeup started at a very young age, and in 2009, her passion blossomed into a fulfilling career.

After attending cosmetology school, she found her true love for skincare, hair, and makeup. From there, she began her career at several different skincare and cosmetic companies. In 2018, she began to expand her career as a freelance hair and makeup artist, and she continues to make a name for herself in the bridal makeup industry.

Today, she is a senior hair and makeup artist for Cinderella Bridez. Her work allows her to live out her passions by creating exquisite looks on her clients and helping them to feel confident and look their best on their special day! 

Sarah
Master Artist
 

Dr. Iberkis Faltas has been a licensed cosmetologist for over 35 years. For over 10 years, she has concentrated on South Asian Brides’ hair and makeup. 

Dr. Faltas knows the emotional strengths the beauty industry can cause in our personal and professional lives. She has dedicated her life to teaching fellow beauty professionals the art and science of emotional regulation and emotional intelligence to balance and maintain a successful beauty empire.

Dr. Faltas has two doctorate Ph.D. and completed three professional Emotional Intelligence certifications. She founded Naked Emotional Intelligence (Naked EQ), where she focuses on teaching emotional regulation and emotional intelligence to single mothers and beauty professionals. She works for the US Federal Government Monday-Friday while Saturday-Sunday, she concentrates on her beauty world. She is also a single mother of three who loves cooking, reading, and traveling the world.

Dr. Iberkis Faltas
Master Artist
 

With 14 years of experience in the beauty industry and 12 years with Cinderella Bridez, Priya has always had a passion for hair and makeup. She was first introduced to makeup at a young age and continues to love the creative outlet it gives her.

In her early twenties, she experimented with a ton of different products and looks, and as she learned more, she began to do her friends’ bridal looks at their weddings. After gaining the necessary training and joining the team, she continues her talents through her position both as a makeup artist and as head stylist.

She loves interacting with her clients and making sure they feel as comfortable and confident as possible, regardless of what look they’re going for. She especially takes care of those who have little experience with makeup. As she applies her products, she takes the time to explain her process in order to ease any possible worries or anxieties her clients may have.

Whether she’s applying makeup for the bride, the bridal party, or any family members, she loves helping everyone’s inner beauty shine through. 

Priya Master Artist

Laura has always had a passion for makeup. She fondly remembers putting on her mother’s makeup in front of the mirror as a child. Her love of makeup only continued as she entered adulthood.

Makeup was a hobby that she has always enjoyed, but she never really imagined it could grow into a career. However, in 2011, she took one of Barbie’s makeup classes, which began her makeup journey. Afterwards, she joined the team and began working with clients.

She loves not only the creative aspect of makeup, but also its ability to connect people. Her job both allows her to build relationships with her clients as well as others on the team. One of the reasons she chose the makeup industry was because of the friendships she formed. Makeup also gives her a great creative outlet. To her, applying makeup is like painting.

For these reasons, she believes that, one way or another, makeup will always be part of her life. She is currently located in California and is super excited that our company’s influence has reached the west coast. She hopes that Cinderella Bridez becomes as well known in her location as it is on the east coast. 

Laura
Master Artist