Grand Opening Party

On January 15, 2017 I was able to open my new business Sparkle & Shine Makeup Studio. With my team Moira and Carla we wanted to have our Grand Opening not only bringing attention to our location and services but to help out women in our area. 

We asked guest to bring items to donate for the Forbes House women’s shelter. With each item they brought in they would receive tickets to enter the giveaways. We received an estimated $500.00 worth of donations in just a few hours.It was wonderful to visit with new customers, family and friends. Local media personality and former Mrs. Ohio Katherine Boyd joined us as well. Much thanks for her support. 

 Our makeup studio is one of a kind. We sell makeup and help teach you how to wear it. We find your makeup prescription. Also we are a space to gather friends and have a girl’s night out makeup party at. Our studio conducts classes for beginners, actors, models and even professionals that are in the beauty business that want to become a makeup artist. We are a HUB for learning.



Please check us out http://www.karensiat.com/sparkleandshinemakeupstudio

Katherine Boyd and Me 

Reality

I have worked at Eric Mull's photography studio in Cleveland for ten years now. I am freelance but Eric and I work together a few times a week. How did I get this key makeup artist job? Timing! I brought in my daughter for headshots and asked if he needed an artist. Eric's reply was "Yes; I just lost my last artist because we were engaged and just broke off the engagement."


I started there just as my middle daughter started Kindergarten. I was excited to be back to work full time. Just then after just seven months in I found out I was pregnant with my youngest daughter. HUGE shock, this was unexpected. I was so stressed because I didn't want to be replaced in the job I really enjoyed. I made a decision to keep working the 9 months eating lots of snacks along the way and climbing many flights of stairs into work each day during my pregnancy. My reality was that I was not going to be working full time just yet.


Eric's studio is really fun it could actually make a great reality show. We deal with talent agents, models that don't listen to directions and families that don't mind to argue in front of us over silly things. I once had a girl cry when I put her hair in a ponytail for pictures because she said she looked  like a boy. I had to redo her makeup from all the crying. I’ve also shaved a girls arm pits because she didn't know how to before a photo shoot. Another day I had a model call her shoot off after her zipper broke once she put on a dress she brought in to wear. She was convinced that  being overweight caused the break and wasn't comfortable staying. My opinion was that she looked beautiful and should have continued on.


One time a girl brought in a bag of extensions and glue to have me apply on her. I thought when she told me she had extensions to wear they were clip in ones so I went on to apply her makeup. When she pulled out the glue I just laughed because I am not trained in hair extensions. I told the girl “You seriously don't want me to do that, I have no idea where to start." We had to reschedule her.


The typical thing I hear as a stylist is "Oh guys must be easier to work with?” My answer not really. Many come unprepared with clothes that are the wrong colors, dirty or both. Some men have clothes rolled up and stuffed in a plastic shopping bag. They need pressed and sometimes they don’t fit them. Who brings a shirt that makes you look the the Incredible Hulk? Then there is the uni brow or hair that needed to be cut before they came in. You might think they weren't told but they have been by their agent and by me on scheduling. I think it is selective hearing.


The reality to all this modeling/ talent business is that people are trying to get a hold of stardom. Some have actual talent others have a dream. Many agents take all the people they meet even if they are not qualified, in the hopes they can follow directions and learn the craft. This is where people can prove how much they want this as a career and not just as a hobby on the side. If you can't follow directions to get photos done how are you going to be able to do well on an audition?



My life as a stylist is always entertaining, I love what I do and it mirrors life as a Mom. Here’s how, I listen to young people talk about plans for their future and feel compelled to interject words of advice or experience. I help groom all ages of people as if it was school picture day. Then there are times I well up in tears working as models and I talk about loved ones that are sick or have died and how they miss them. You might get to know someone really fast or have no idea what they are all about once the shoot is done. You definitely need to be a people person to be in this profession. My reality is that I am glad I left cutting hair to be a makeup artist. I get to meet some amazing and sometimes famous people. I never seem to have a dull day and my heart is happy.

Working with great people

Eric and I a few years back

Making faces

An action shot from a great day!

The Young Ones

Many of my friends ask me, “How many stage moms do you run across?”  My answer is, “In Cleveland, just a few.” To be honest, the young ones really want to act.  Some are perfect for it.  When these children come see me, I want them to have a positive first experience etting headshots.  I want them to have fun, and I assure them that this will be a great time.

I once had a young actress with blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes tell me she was ready to be beautified.  I told her “You are perfect the way you are and makeup really isn’t needed.”  Just two weeks ago a child actress, started asking about my job as I groomed her for photos.  She inquired, “How long have you done this job?” Also, “What famous people have you met?”  At the end of the shoot, she told me that I did a good job and she had a nice time.  She then gave me a hug and said, “Thank you!”  It made my day.

   These actors in training really want to excel, but the parents are confused as to where to start.  Here are some tips for the parents of child actors… 

Plan ahead!  Many parents would like to submit photos right away to agencies in LA or NYC, but don’t have a plan in place if the child actually lands a role.  This fact is foolish.  If you plan on going to a major market, think it through and consider what you and your family are going to do if your child is cast.  If you have other children, are you able to move the whole family?  Does everyone want to leave Cleveland?  Will you have a job when you move?  Most likely your child will not be able to support you right away with this new role.  Some actors have actually landed roles and then the family realizes that they cannot relocate.  What a waste of time and money!

 

Be reasonable!  Here is a news flash: if you think Hollywood will fly your child across county because they LOVE the child’s pictures, guess again. Agencies/studios want talent in that state. You may go to another market audition and work to build your resume, but don’t wait for a “Golden Ticket” to come to you.  If your child is acting regularly, a parent must prepare themselves and their child for an unusual amount of missed school.  Production is Monday through Friday usually 9 to 5.  Agents don’t want to hear about your child’s grades or sports schedule; this isn’t their problem. They will just go to the next child actor willing to miss the necessary hours of school, and your child will lose out.  Many parents tend to home school their child actor, so there isn’t a conflict.

Be smart!  I think the best advice the public can received is: if anyone wants you to pay money up front to be in an agency or ask you to buy a package, DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING and don’t work with them.  Odds are they are shady.  They will take your money and your child will not work.  It is okay to set up a photo shoot on your own.  You might want to pay a fee to the agent for exposure on their website to show your child’s portfolio.  Many clients book talent this way; it is wise to invest your money in this common practice.

Finally, go with your gut, ask questions, and do some research. Also don’t think it will happen overnight and add credits to your child’s resume.  Being in plays and taking acting classes helps. Don’t quit your day job.  You will need that for funding your young ones career until it takes off.  As time goes on, you will see if this business is for your child and your patience.

Eric Mull/Karen Siat

Eric Mull/ Karen Siat

Eric Mull/Karen Siat