1. Tell me what do you love most about make up?
The never ending boundless options – making someone look so different. Changing people's image to suit their mood or moment. It's endless.
2. Tell me what's your favorite part of the job?
The reveal! After the service is complete and I hand the mirror over, the A-HA moment happens. I get a little choked up every time. It makes me so happy to see my clients feeling beautiful, confident and sexy!
3. Tell me do you have any experience in cosmetic retails?
I spent a year in cosmetic retails where I was responsible for selling the company's cosmetics products. I exceeded the annual sales target by 30% through effective promotion and product demonstrations to clients.
4. Do you know what are some common beauty mistakes that women make?
I often see great dabs of shimmery bronzer. It looks great on shoots and in very specific areas but some people circle it all over and you end up looking like an orange bauble. Not good! Less is more.
5. Tell me what is the one product you can't work without?
I use it with everything. Apply it on clean skin before your moisturizer, mix it with your foundation and blush. It makes any makeup look more like real skin.
6. What is your favorite quote?
My fav quote is “Beauty Fades but Dumb is Forever”
7. Tell me what three makeup item should no woman leave home without?
Concealer, lip gloss, mascara!
8. Tell me when did you know a career in beauty was for you?
It was one of those things that was kind of always in the back of my mind! When I was younger, I was obsessed with makeup! I couldn't wait to head down to the drugstore to buy the newest eyeshadow and lip stick. Only thing was, I never really realized you could actually have a career in beauty! Once I got my first taste of makeup in the “professional world,” during fashion week, I was hooked.
9. Tell us can I wear foundation every day? How do I stop it from slipping off?
You can always wear foundation just make sure to wear PRIMER! You can customize the primer for your skin concern as there are so many different kinds. This is the easiest way to wear foundation so it stays put.
10. Tell me how old were you when you became obsessed with make up?
One of my first memories when I was about 4 years old was me climbing up my mothers dresser to grab her lipstick, I smeared it all along the drawers as I climbed my way down then continued to smush it all over my face … I've been a makeup addict ever since.
11. Do you know who are some people that have inspired you throughout your career?
Steven Meisel, photographer, Helmut Newton and strong images of powerful women.
12. How to prepare dry and oily skin for foundation makeup application?
Oily skin has to be toned before makeup application so that the pores are closed and makeup stays longer while dry skin has to be moisturized before makeup application to avoid cracks in foundation layer.
13. Tell me how do I get rid of wrinkles?
Makeup is magical. It can help conceal imperfections, but it's not the answer to every beauty issue. Being educated on the right skincare routine is important to maintain your skin. Great makeup starts with great skin, so make sure to stock up on moisturizers that contain retinol for anti aging and hyaluronic acid for intense moisture.
14. Tell me what has been the biggest challenge of your career?
The biggest challenge of my career has been wanting to do EVERYTHING! I always say I wish I could clone myself so that I could do everything for work and be a full-time mommy at the same time, and I know that so many women feel the same way. It has been a challenge for me to step back, take a moment to breathe, and to accept the fact that I logistically just cannot do everything and be everywhere at the same time.
15. Please explain about your experience as a makeup artist?
I started my career at MAC Cosmetics in capacity of a Makeup assistant. After completing a diploma course in makeup art with American Association of cosmeticians, I joined CBR where I currently apply makeup for TV shoots and special events. I also have experience in wedding makeup application, fashion show makeup and product promotional makeovers.
There are SO many! I would LOVE to get my hands on ABC! Not only is she absolutely gorgeous, but she has this incredible confidence, and this beautiful energy! Together, we could definitely have some fun!
17. Tell me any great stories from working with a client?
I have several so it's hard to choose, but I think one of my favorites would have to be from when I was recently in New York City. My team and I were brought in to do hair and makeup at an event called Beautiful Me. The event was focused on young women ages 11-17 and helping them build confidence and inner beauty. One of the young ladies that I did makeup on was so sweet & kind. We had a lot of fun picking out makeup colors she liked and creating a personalized look just for her. When I finished I handed her the mirror, she gasped, started crying and said “ I have never looked or felt this beautiful ever in my life!” I of course started to cry too. It was one of the most rewarding moments in my career. Those are the moments I live for.
I've been in the business over 17 years and have worked on all ends of the spectrum so I give a lot of input, but more in the finished result rather than talking about it too much because a lot can happen in the process of creativity.
The day of appointment schedules that we create for our clients is something unique that we offer and is one of the many tools that has made our weddings successful. The schedule not only ensures that everyone will be done on time, but we build in extra time on the back end to account for any unforeseen instances that may arise that day. Weddings are days to expect the unexpected so we try to plan for that the best we can; aka a bridesmaid gets lost or oversleeps her alarm. Another benefit to the schedule we create is that the bride can simply forward the schedule to the rest of her wedding party. That way she doesn't have all 8 of her bridesmaids asking her a million times what time their hair & makeup appointment is, where they need to be, or how to prepare for the appointment(s). We include all of that information in the schedule for her.
Lining your inner rim with a dark eyeliner is something I do to add “instant fierceness.” Black of course is a go-to, but you can also go for a great navy or plum to really brighten the eyes! Just make sure it's waterproof and is approved for use on the inner rim!
21. Tell me how long have you been a makeup artist and how did you get your start in the industry?
15 years, I started in London on the runway shows and knee deep in fashion editorials working every job I was offered for free.
I do not consider myself run-of-the-mill. Where most makeup artists are now trying to do something “different” with every project hence compromising the simplicity of a face or a body, I believe in going back to the basics. For me, the basics are now the “new” thing. So I have the capacity to do both different and old school and this diversity makes me a good fit.
I always look at the back of clients' wrists before I decide an undertone. If their veins appear blue / purple, they are a cool undertone; if the veins are blue / green, they have a warm undertone.
It's really important for a photographer when communicating with a makeup artist to have trust in the artist he or she is working with. If I am hired it's because he/she trusts in my skill but also it's important for the photographer to give as many visual and verbal descriptions for the shoot that we are working on. It's great if I can be given a detailed “brief” of what the shoot is about and what it's for. The makeup I would do on a model for a teen marketed magazine is very different for a European very edgy fashion magazine. Mood boards and tear sheets of ideas are good but I'm not into ripping off another artists' makeup and I always add my own personal flair and stamp on the look.
Contracts are key!! They protect you and your client and keep everyone on the same page. In the event something goes wrong you have your policies in writing and a track record of the client agreeing to them. Also never, I repeat NEVER skip the trial appointment, even if it's a friend or family member. Include the trial price into a package for the bride so she doesn't have the option not to have one. It will save you so many headaches on the day of. I mean, can you imagine trying to pick out the perfect shade of lipstick on the day of your wedding? I don't think so. Make a trial required and schedule it 4-6 weeks prior to the wedding. You and the bride will be so much happier.
In my opinion, there are no rules! If you want to rock a trend, I say go for it, and just know that you are fierce enough to pull it off! Still, I totally understand that sometimes, it can take some time to get used to seeing yourself with different makeup than you usually wear. Here's a quick tip: If you want to try a bold color on your eye, but aren't ready to do it as a full shadow, try using a fun colored eyeliner! When you blink, you'll just show off a hint of that gorgeous color, which will really help to brighten the face! You can also try using a colored mascara on the bottom lashes only (use your black mascara on the top lashes to keep from looking too 1983!), which will help open the eyes!
My early days of my career were hard. I did every crap job out there. I face painted at fairs to pick up my speed. I worked on no budget music videos and short films. I sold beauty products at beauty exhibitions and then for beauty brands like MAC. I assisted established makeup artists I met who came into the MAC shop. I started off cleaning brushes and getting coffee and THEN I tested like crazy. I made a lot of mistakes but learned from them quickly. I went in from the ground up… If you can make a 45 year old with bad skin look good then when you get your hands on a young model with gorgeous skin your task at hand is a breeze. Too many makeup artists today come straight out of school thinking they're gonna' be working on Victoria Secret Models after graduation. However, it's better for makeup artists to hone their skills by working on every face shape and skin tone and problem possible, so they really know how to solve them.
Makeup for TV shoots is usually thematic and has to be applied as per preferences of the director. Thick base, sharper colors and massive skin foundation is needed for TV shoot makeup. Live party makeup has more finesse. It is kept as light as possible and the goal is to highlight the clients' naturally appealing features and conceal the non appealing ones.
29. Role-specific Makeup Artist Job Interview Questions:
☛ May I see your portfolio?
☛ What fascinates you about this line of work?
☛ Tell me about two season makeup trends you find interesting
☛ How would you rate your knowledge of the color wheel? How about skintones?
☛ Do you have any sales experience?
☛ What cosmetic products do you use on a regular basis?
☛ When and how do you clean your tools?
☛ Do you have experience with FX prosthetics?
30. Operational and Situational Makeup Artist Job Interview Questions:
☛ How do you prepare different skin types before applying make up?
☛ If a customer asked you what's the most suitable foundation tone for them, how would you help?
☛ Imagine a customer asked you for a makeup style that was unsuitable for them. How do you handle it?
☛ Choose your favorite cosmetic product and sell it to me
☛ What would be the effect of analogous/complimentary colors in makeup?
☛ Imagine you make a mistake while you apply makeup to a customer. How do you handle it?
☛ If you had to choose makeup according to lighting, how would you go about it?
31. Behavioral Makeup Artist Job Interview Questions:
☛ Tell me about a time you had a very stressful day at work and how did you handle it?
☛ Recall a time you had to face a frustrated customer who wasn't satisfied with the hair or makeup services you provided. How did you handle it?
☛ Have you ever had a conflict with a coworker/supervisor? How did you resolve it?
☛ Recall a time you gave advice to a customer on how to take care of their makeup
When a customer comes for makeup and hairstyling first of all I analyze their skin and hair. In case they are asking for an unsuitable style or makeup, I convince them why it will not suit them by sharing my analysis of their face cut, skin type and hair texture.
I wash and disinfect them before I use them on a different client which means I sometimes wash them several times a day. It is true that makeup tools spoil quickly if you wash them too often but I cannot take a risk where clients' health is concerned. I am willing to pay for the extra cost of buying more sets of brushes and combs.
I like to make a face pop on the red carpet. I like skin to sing and look healthy and I rarely send anyone out of my chair without careful and light, appropriate contouring.
35. Do you know which foundation works best?
Foundation creates the illusion of a flawless complexion. First, you need to determine what type of coverage you want to achieve: sheer, medium, or full. Next, decide on the finish: matte, natural, or dewy. Estée Lauder has a huge variety, so they're usually my favorite. -Victor Henao, Global Makeup Artist, Estée Lauder
