Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.
A. Since I am currently working at a salon as a hairstylist and make-up artists I do a lot of haircut and style maintenance, Hair and makeup applications for weddings, proms, parties, etc. and makeup lessons. When I freelance I also do a lot of weddings, proms, parties, as well as photo shoots and work for performing artists.
Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A. Advice I have for customers looking to hire a provider such as myself is to make sure your make-up artist/ hairstylist is certified and licensed by the state to ensure not only quality work but also a high standard of approved hygiene. Always look at credentials, education, and pictures to make sure you are hiring someone that can perform the services you are looking for. I always tell people to go ahead and google me to find mentions of me and my work on different sites as well as pictures on sites such as modelmayhem.com. Especially for private personal hire, its always good to know who you are working with.
Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?
A. If I were a customer, I would want to know how top make-up artists achieve that flawless airbrushed look without using an airbrush, how to create the perfect evening eye look with out looking overdone, and creating the perfect canvas for daytime affairs....my secrets include good quality brushes, expert blending techniques, and I can not promote primers enough. I prime everything, face, lips, eyes...good primers help a lot. Also, not to mention, skincare! Getting on a good skincare regimen makes anyone look healthy and fresh with or without make-up. Taking great care of your skin and body helps lay a great foundation for outer beauty.
Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?
A. Ask about prior work history. If you are hiring a make-up artist or hairstylist for your wedding, ask them if they've done weddings before. Make sure they have an understanding of lighting and photography and know how your makeup is going to appear in photos. You want your look to last through your event, the artist should know how to do this. I would also ask about the products they use. Whoever you hire should be very knowledgable about technique and product. Another important thing is communication. You and your hired professional must be on the same page with what you are looking for. Show the artist/stylist pictures. A dramatic eye or loose curl may appear different to both of you.
Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?
A. Think about the the services you want performed for the particular occasion. A makeup application, makeup lesson, hairstyle, haircut, or other beauty service. Whats the event? Wedding? Model portfolio pictures? Advertisement? Have a good idea of what you are looking for and we can work out the details together. Try and research what you want, use pictures if necessary. Although I can do almost anything, there are particular styles and genres I am well known for.
Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?
A. I have a lot of experience and a lot of education. I have worked with top make-up artists and have had training from some of the top cosmetics, skincare, and haircare companies. I have received advanced training in several genres of make-up at London Eyes Academy of Make-up and completed the full cosmetology program at Mario Tricoci University of Beauty Culture, not to mention my many other credentials. I have an extensive background in various forms of art and am very creative. I do a lot of research and keep up with new and innovative techniques. I am always learning to improve my skills and provide the customer with the best quality services.
Q. What do you like most about your job?
A. I love working in a field were I can express my creativity and showcase my talents. Nothing makes me happier than pleasing a client and sharing my world of beauty and glamor with them as well as educating clients and sharing my knowledge with them.
Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A. What products do I use?
A: MAC, Nars, Smashbox, Urban Decay, Ben Nye, Kryolon, Benefit, Studio Gear, Bare Escentuals, GloMinerals, POP, Too Faced, Lorac, Cargo, etc.
How long have I been doing makeup?
A: approximately, 10 years
I also get asked a lot of questions about my skin and skincare products-Im a skincare fanatic and am certified by Dermalogica as a skin therapist and GloTheraputics. I have alos recieved extensive training from Murad, Philosophy, and DDF. I have also been trained in basic facials and skincare at Mario Tricoci and can perform basisc facials. I am however, NOT an esthetician, so I can not perform extractions, peels, or dermabrasions.
Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?
A. From a young age I've been interested in art, drawing, painting, etc. As well as beauty and cosmetics. I used to do my mothers makeup when I was 5 and even then I understood blending and using multiple eyeshadows. Of course, with time, those skills advanced. I was doing makeup professionally long before I decided to go to school and get certified for it. After my modeling carrer took off I was doing makeup for photoshoots with a lot of emphasis on pinup, retro, bourdoir, and burlesque when I started doing period accurate hair styling and after that I decided to go to Tricoci University for my cosmetology license. Everything all came together and the rest is history!
Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?
A. Yes. I currently work at a salon and they provide us with continuing education and workshops. I also attend America's Beauty Show and The Make-Up Show annually. I also stay up to date on new and innovative products.
Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.
A. The project didn't take place recently, but it was recently released. I did the hair, make-up and modeled for Incredible Technologies (the same company that brought you Golden Tee) latest release Pin-up Girls, a vegas styled slot machine video game. The shoot took 3 days, not including prep work, post editing, and whatever it is they had to do to turn those images into a video game. It was a fantastic experience. I was hired at fifty dollars per hour and got some of the wonderful wardrobe! You can view the making of the game on youtube.com
Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?
A. Start by doing friends and family, take pictures. Get a job somewhere like Ulta or Sephora, they give you good training and this way you can experiment with many different brands and get education from the vendors and freelance artists that work for them. If theres a particular line you like, get a job at one of their counters in a department store. You'll get plenty of faces to work on and the companies usually give you plenty of product to work with. If you're extremely good, apply at MAC. MAC gives amazing training and they want you to use and love their products, so as an employee you are continuously given great product to use for your own collection. I also suggest starting a model mayhem once you have some professional pictures. Here you can connect with other makeup artists, hair stylists, models, photographers, designers, wardrobe stylist, etc. Networking is key. Go to fashion shows, offer your talents. Small boutiques will be willing to have you work one of their showcases for small compensation or product and many photographers are willing to do trade work with you to build portfolios mutually.
