Affordable Makeup Artistry

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

A. I most commonly do photography makeup for models. My other most common jobs are weddings.

Q. Describe three recent jobs you've completed.

A. Recently I did some makeup for a wonderful gentleman that I certainly hope to work with again. I believe everyone can be beautiful regardless of gender. One of my favorite things about this job was that it wasn't "drag," despite being a male makeover. It was a simple "going out" look and I hope he was just as pleased with the results as I was.

My favorite customers are always the ones who are willing to learn and observe, without being afraid to give me their opinion. I've seen a lot of beautiful weddings recently and I've certainly worked with a lot of beautiful brides.

One wedding that stood out in particular was in Damascus, on a breathtaking estate. The bride wanted something that was a bit out of the ordinary for me; a tangerine-orange lipstick. While the lipstick was hers, it was up to me to build the look around it. Her coloring was absolutely perfect for it and her wedding party was one of the most amazing group of women I have ever worked with.

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

A. Always search for a better value and negotiate the price! If a makeup artist truly wants your business, they will not let their pride get in the way of it.

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

A. My customers always ask me about colors, contouring, and shading for eyes. A good hint I can share with you is this: in colorful but wearable eye makeup situations, it's best to use complementary colors. On a color wheel, this will be the color situated directly across from the color of your eyes. You then adjust accordingly. I'll explain what I mean.

If you have blue eyes and you apply blue eyeshadow to them, this will only serve to make your eyes blend in with their surrounding color. The color wheel tells us that blue's complementary color is yellow. Well, you may not want to run around with yellow eyeshadow on, so adjust the color to a soft gold, like Lancôme's Filigree eyeshadow. For green eyes, a soft plum shadow will do instead of red. Brown eyes are special because they are able to wear a wide variety of colors! I recommend, however, an olive green with light shimmer for a natural look.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Depending on what you book me for, I'll need some information about you.

Weddings:
-How many in your party will I be doing?
-Will any of your groom's party need photography makeup?
-What kind of skin do you have?
-What's the theme of your wedding?
-Where will we be located for the trial and/or wedding?

Parties, Family Photography, and Children:
-What age are the children I'll be working with?
-Will I need special effects makeup?
-What's the theme of the party/photographs?
-How many people will there be?
-Would you prefer an hourly or per-person rate?

Halloween and Special Effects movie makeup
-READ: PLEASE BE SURE TO ALERT ME TO ANY LATEX ALLERGIES!
-What's the effect you've envisioned?
-Will this be on film or just photographs?

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

A. My work stands out because I want to make my customers look and feel like themselves only brighter, prettier and more confident. I feel that I am very flexible when it comes to both times and prices. My pride in my work comes from the fact my customers are not only satisfied with the service they receive, but also with the money they save by choosing me as their personal makeup artist.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. The thing I love most about my job is meeting all sorts of new people and being able to work with lots of wonderful personalities and features. Seeing someone glow after their makeup is finished (and not because I put shimmer on them) is a wonderful feeling!

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

A. I am most commonly asked if I do hair as well, to which my answer is yes and no.

Up-dos: No
Loose Waves: Yes
Dying/Cutting: No
Half up-dos: Yes

It all depends!

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

A. Oh man, I can't possibly think of JUST one! I've met so many interesting people, there is no way I could pick a single story to tell you. I'm always reminded of one, though, as I'm doing makeup, so be ready to regaled with tales of a makeup artist!

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. I sometimes wish customers knew how much pressure the girls behind the makeup counters are under! Most of them are hired on thinking that it's a really great way to hone their skills as an artist and while that is true, there is also a sales side to their jobs. As a full time beauty adviser, I had 4 different bosses, each with different sales goals.

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

A. Since I can remember, I've always had a fascination with makeup and how it can be used to alter not only a person's face, but also their sense of self-esteem. I started doing makeup on myself at age 14 and soon was doing friends' makeup (and friends of friends and so on.) I was hired on at the Lancôme counter in the Vancouver Mall where I was taught some of the more technical points of skin care, contouring, and colors. After spending nearly 2 years behind the counter, I was recruited onto the South-Seattle regional team and worked with west coast national MUA, Jason Leong. Sales pressure was hard and I found myself wishing I didn't have to push product just to do someone's makeup. I then began my own freelance business, FKS Artistry and I've never been happier with my profession!

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I am always reading about and practicing the next great products, tips, and services that I can offer to my customers! Many of my profits from my business go to buying researched products that I can use to make my customers even more beautiful.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. The best thing you can start investing in right now are the newest lines of skincare coming out with the French cosmetic companies. L'Oreal has been researching for decades on the effects of genes and stem cells in the skin and how their healing and rejuvenating powers can be maximized. One ingredient in particular has shown to be very impressive, I think, and that is apple lycate. Skin laboratories all over the world are now working on the effects of plant stem cells. It's not really on the market yet, but keep an eye out for it!

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. My professional advice would be to make sure that you make your customers happy! I also, of course, recommend investing in a quality makeup kit that includes a wide array of foundations.