Makeup Artist

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. I generally work with brides and fashion shows, but I've also worked with television and theatre.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. I really do suggest shopping around a bit. Many makeup artists have different styles, prices, expectations, personalities etc. You really need to find an artist that clicks with you - especially for your wedding.

Make sure that have a portfolio of some kind that they can show you whether it is a personal website, a Flickr account, a FB Fanpage or reviews on Yelp.

Remember that our supplies, equipment, trainings, stock, travel, experience do have costs so $50 - $150 person is a normal/reasonable cost.

If you are on a budget, you may want to visit a cosmetics counter or contact a cosmetology school for your makeup needs.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. I was recently interviewed by Seattle Boutique Blogspot. One of the questions was: 4pm melt downs are SO inconvenient. What insider tips do you have to make my make-up last all day?

Jara: One of the most common problems I see as a makeup artist is people choosing a foundation because it is popular or their friends wear it rather than choosing the formula that suits their skin type. Make sure you ask your artist at the store if they have a foundation specifically formulated for oily, dry, combination, acne prone, sensitive, etc. skin.

Additional tips:
- Exfoliate once or twice a week. This will remove dead skin cells that can cause acne and blackheads. This enhances the appearance of the skin and allows for better absorption of face products.


-Moisturize! Even if your skin is oily. If your skin is oily use a lightweight moisturizer. There are moisturizers that have oil controlling properties as well like MAC’s Oil Control Lotion. If your skin is dry use a dense moisturizer like Crème De La Mer or MAC’s Studio Moisture Cream. Moisturizing preps skin for foundation just as using Gesso on a canvas preps it for painting. Foundation better adheres to hydrated skin.

-Primers. Using a primer not only can reduce redness and texture, but it can help the foundation on the skin and help it wear longer throughout the day. We call it a “gluestick” for foundation.

-Using a brush to buff foundation in better adheres it to the skin. I use the #109 Brush for any foundation type, moving the brush in small circular motions.

-Set foundation with a powder. This will absorb any excess oils that cause foundation to fade or transfer. I highly recommend MAC’s Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder for light to medium dark skin tones and Deep Dark Blot Powder for deeper skin tones.

To see the rest of the interview go to:

http://www.seattleboutiqueblogspot.com/2010/11/seattle-make-up-artist-jara-mohlman.html

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. My work stands out not only because I'm good at my craft, but I'm also a kind and accommodating person. I'm always on time, efficient and reasonably priced compared to others in the industry.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I love showing women how they can be their most beautiful selves. It is such a pleasure to see a womans face light up after I've accentuated her features.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. How long have I been a makeup artist? "Somewhere over a decade. I don't want to give my age away" I say smiling.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. I've always loved when women leave me with a big smile on their face. I often see women coming in, perhaps feeling a bit insecure, not able to see their most beautiful selves.

I love when finished when my client can't stop looking in the mirror, posing and smiling...when they walk out the door with a spring in their step.

Last year at some point I was doing makeup for cancer survivors, which is very rewarding for me. To give back to someone who hasn't felt beautiful in a long time.

After I had joked and laughed and painted this woman's face and given her my signature hug, she whispers in my ear that she has one month to live and now that feels so pretty she's going to go have a party! She was going to go to the fair, eat 12 hotdogs and then go bar-hopping - because she hasn't in a while and she may not be able to again.

It's nice to know that in a profession like mine, that can be looked upon as shallow, that I could bring a little light to someones life.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I'm an artist, so it was a natural progression. The face is just a blank canvas.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. I loved working with the designer Vian Hunter recently. We were doing a shoot for the new fashion magazine Elise. It was great doing makeup on McKinley Smith - Miss Seattle.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. Bride.........................................................$165
(includes trial, wedding day, lashes & lip touchup)

Other faces.................................................$75
(parties/events/photo/bridesmaids - includes lashes)

Lesson......................................................$100
(1.5 hour lesson)

Travel Expense...........................................$40
(per hour)

Bridal Deal # 1 - party of 6 bridemaids + bride = $160 bride and $65 for each bridesmaids.

Bridal Deal #2 - party of 7+ bridemaids + bride = $150 bride and $55 each bridemaid.

Party pays for ferry, parking, valet, taxi etc.

$100 non-refundable deposit due at time of trial.