Hello. My name is Celina McAleer and I am a self employed Poughkeepsie, NY based musician, makeup artist, and cosmetic tattooist, and last night the thing all creatives fear happened to me. My car was broken into and my entire professional makeup kit, gear, and primary instruments were stolen out of my trunk.

After a long day of onsite appointments and recording, I had my full professional makeup kit along with my lighting set up, my alto saxophone I've had since middle school, and my custom built tenor saxophone in my trunk. My last appointment of the day was getting the honor to glam up a close friend for her birthday before going out together in town. My car was parked in the Academy St lot while my friends and I were celebrating and in those few hours, someone took the opportunity to break into my trunk. I had all my gear covered in a blanket and had random trash and clothes scattered on top to hide it, but I guess whoever did this was desperate enough to pry open my trunk and check. This is a parking lot I use daily as I work at a salon down the block. Never would I have thought I could be a victim of such a crime.

Makeup is my livelihood. I work primarily in bridal and special events and it is currently peak wedding season in the Hudson Valley. This is the time of the year when my calendar is filled with brides and bridal parties and the income I make during this season is what sustains me through the year. Unfortunately, I cannot go back to work without replacing what was stolen. My professional kit contains 10 years worth of professional curation I poured my soul into. I slowly collected brushes from my early days making minimum wage as a MAC artist and have replaced all my products with luxury brands for my brides. These are not things that are easy to substitute or work around. I've had the pleasure of being a part of one of the most important days of peoples lives and am passionate of doing so for as long as I can. The pocket of one of these bags also contained my favored cosmetic tattoo machine that allows me to do reconstructive work on individuals who have lost their eyebrows , rebuild areolas for those who have lost them from breast cancer, and restore confidence to those who deserve to feel beautiful. These products, cases, lights, machines and custom built and depotted palettes amount to about $8,000 retail.

Along with my professional makeup kit, two of my most important instruments to me were taken. I had a custom Growling tenor sax engraved for me back in 2022 and have built it to my specifications. I had two SYOS mouth pieces custom 3D printed for my mouth and playing style. That case also had my Shure condenser microphone, two Xvive wireless transmitters, a pair of KZ in ear monitors, and a Shure SM58. Just the items in this case total about $6,000. Although not as expensive, the Jupiter alto saxophone that I've played since I was a child whose case is covered in stickers of bands I have toured with, is so sentimental to me. This was the instrument I used to compete in my first soloist competition at 12 years old and I have refused to upgrade since I love her so much. She's only about $1,000 on reverb, but she was priceless to me.

I did file a police report and I am hoping there is some possibility that my belongings are recovered. Even if they are, there are many products and items that I was have to discard of since they have been tampered with. When it comes to working directly with peoples faces I cannot take chances with sanitation or product safety. The timing makes this especially frightening as without my kit I have to lose work and the income I depend on.

I'm starting this fundraiser because I need help rebuilding my kit quickly so I can continue showing up for my clients, honoring the commitments I have made, and keeping my business running. Asking for financial help is incredibly difficult for me, I have worked very hard for everything I have and never expected to be in this potion. If you are not able to donate, sharing this would mean just as much to me.

I know certain things can be replaced, but unfortunately the sentimental value and attachments I had to my instruments and products cannot. I do hope they show up eventually.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, supporting my business throughout the years, and helping me get back on my feet during this overwhelming and difficult time.

If you would like to support other ways, you can follow my business on Instagram or Facebook or book an appointment for lashes or brows (what I can offer temporarily) on my website

Listen to my bands music here :)