Full Circle

   When I was in seventh grade, I knew I wanted to be in the beauty business. In high school I was enrolled in Cosmetology school and then  after graduation went  to barber school to earn another license. I worked as a subcontractor for seven years and then opened my first barbershop. One would think “How great to work for yourself,” but in reality you have all kinds of different situations can arise. I worked alone, so this meant no sick days, no personal days, no paid vacations. I could make my own hours and  some days I  made a lot of money; yet worked until I was half dead or I worked very little  and made no profit.
    I started to dabble into acting.  I had an agent. He mentioned that I should start doing the hair and makeup for the models.  I began to see the light, better pay, better hours and notoriety. I went on to learn my new craft, traveling to Chicago and New York to enhance my skill.
     The Cleveland market is so concentrated. For example, upon breaking into the business, I called to offer assistance to a local artist. She actually lectured me, citing her unwillingness to give up her "secrets" or help me out. She was not the only one to feel this way. Putting this hurdle aside, I made it my mission to be on top. I reached out to my acting agent to sign me as a stylist for their talent pool. This allowed me to make connections and doors started to open. I  was busy enough to leave the barbershop to embark on this new career. 

            The skills as an actress now helped with being behind the scenes. I must confess:  I feel more comfortable as an artist, stylist, and consultant than an actress.  After fifteen years of doing makeup commercially, I now get the emails from students saying they would like to shadow me and calls from  other artist wishing  to assist with me. Do you know what I do?  I email or call them ALL back. I am confident in myself and my work that I will still have a job.  If I help someone out, he or she  will gain knowledge and confidence in themselves to determine if this is his or her true career path. I don’t care to be rude like the artist that spoke  harshly to me.  I know this city is small and work here is scarce, but I feel you still have to be kind. At the end of the day I know I can feel good that I might have made a difference.

                      

A Day In My Life

   Every day in this profession something different. I meet people who want to be famous three out of seven days a week. The talent ranges in age from the very young to the old. Some have experience, others do not. For many, it is their first photo shoot. Nervous and anxious, they arrive at the photo studio I work at most days. Usually I have spoken to them beforehand on the phone, giving them details about the shoot.  I never know what to expect as they arrive. 

Once I had a man who lived three hours away from the studio forget  half of his wardrobe,  a women appeared  with blistered lips, and a model that showed up with ONLY skimpy clothes despite her desire to work in a conservative Cleveland market. Some of my clients say I am  the first professional makeup artist they have ever met. Others tell me their previous photo shoot horror stories detailing how the makeup artist failed completely and the shoot turned out awful.

    I ask talent to come in with no makeup on, so they must  trust me.  I feel the pressure to come through for them.  I am willing to do what they ask, keeping in mind what the agent wants. I have to meet them in the middle and create a look both parties are happy. The look that makes each of them money. Money is what everyone wants, either more or extra. Money is why people take up acting or modeling. They would love to leave their day job for this dream but, in Cleveland, many can't do this. 

   I work hard to help as many as I can obtain that dream. I plan on giving you a look at my life as a makeup artist; tips on hair, makeup, and wardrobe. As the saying goes, "We learn something new everyday". So let's learn  together!