Why I do makeup for a living….
A few years ago a film director (shout out to Guy Bauer!) asked me why I do makeup and I wasn’t able to give him an answer. I don’t live and breathe makeup. I don’t even like wearing makeup. I don’t go out on rampages and buy the newest product as soon as it comes out, or follow ever single “insta artist” out there. Sure, I appreciate a nice concealer that covers without looking caked on, an eyeliner that doesn’t run down your cheek or mascara that doesn’t flake…But who doesn’t? I do my fair share of research so I can stock my kit with quality, long lasting products. But I’m not obsessed with makeup itself.
I studied art in college, because it was interesting to me. Artists are fascinating to me with the way they can make you feel a certain way just by creating pieces of, well, art. I dreamed of surrounding myself with life and color. The kind of life and color that I only found in art. I also feel self-expression is best shown through art. The way we decorate our homes, the way we dress, the tattoos we have or choose not to have are all ways of saying this is me. Down to the amount or style of makeup we wear expresses something about a person. These tiny choices we make reflects ourselves without us even having to say a word.
Being a professional artist allows me to help others with self-expression. It might be in the smallest form, but it is there. Whether someone wants to look bold for a work meeting or soft and innocent for a bridal shower, I get to help them do that. To me makeup is more than just playing dress up. Makeup can actually lift someone’s spirits. It can allow them to see themselves in a light that they have never seen before, it helps people stand taller and feel confident. Makeup can help a photo tell a story. It can help an actor play a character. It can add wounds or hide scars. Makeup allows you to be anyone you want to be for that very moment.
So after pondering the question year after year… I do makeup because I always did dream of surrounding myself with life, color and self-expression, and I want to share that with others.