Chapter 9

ARTISTRY

What it takes to be a professional:

this chapter is all about learning to see, formulating your style, listening, collaborating, and finding inspiration.

ARTISTRY

Professional makeup artistry is a field for those who love makeup. Makeup artists must be obsessed with both the art and business of it, and they cannot be afraid
of hard work. Makeup artists must learn to see in order to evaluate their choices and techniques. They must be open to learning and growing in their craft.
Successful professionals in the field of makeup should be excellent teachers and communicators.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SEEING

The most important quality of a good makeup artist is the ability to observe. You can learn a lot about makeup and style just by observing. Look at the faces and
styles of women on the street, actresses, and friends. Study women in magazines, old photos, paintings, and movies. Chances are you will begin to see some
patterns emerge as to what you like. They will help you formulate your own signature style as a makeup artist. I studied photographs to discover the many ways
light creates color on the skin. I love good light and brightness under the eyes, with a smooth complexion.

While your style is evolving, you can expect some trial and error. Hair color, cuts, bright lipstick, beige lipstick? Go for it. Try new things until you arrive at a
look you love. You’ll know you have found the right look when you feel comfortable and confident in yourself and your appearance. It’s an evolution, and it’s up
to you to find the way.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LISTENING

Just as you have to train your eye in order to become a successful makeup artist, you also have to train your ear. Effective listening is an essential skill for all
makeup artists. While it is important to have a vision and to develop your own style, a makeup artist cannot be a dictator. Your job is to take other people’s ideas
and visions into consideration and to collaborate with them. If the project is a photo shoot, the photographer, editor, and stylist all have input. Even though the
model has no say, I believe she should feel good about the way she looks. For fashion shows, the designer usually has a vision, and it becomes your job to realize it.
In theater, makeup artists collaborate with the costume designer and sometimes the wig designer to realize the director’s vision.

When the subject is an actress, you have to please her and usually others, including her agent, stylist, and photographer, which is not always easy. One time I
was doing Tina Turner’s makeup and she requested a sexy look, which I had to balance with the photographer and stylist’s request that she have a more natural, no-
makeup look. And then there was the actress who insisted on black-winged eye-liner that just wasn’t pretty. Or the singer who wanted her foundation five shades
lighter than her beautiful ebony skin. Just remember that in the end it is a collaboration, and if you listen well, everyone can be happy.