Makeup Artist

☛ 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.

Contouring seems like a daunting task if you've never done it. The reality is it's easier than you may think. The simplest way to understand contouring is to imagine a light over your head. The areas of the face that the light will illuminate are the highlights and the areas cast in shadows are the contours. Finding the right products is easy, and may already be in your makeup collection. Use a foundation or concealer one shade darker than you skintone (the one you purchased after that last beach vacation), or a bronzer can do the trick. —Blair Patterson, Director of Global Makeup Artistry, Estée Lauder

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.

The biggest challenge I think is that makeup artists are required to remain up to date with new trends and fashion. The fashion industry evolves on daily basis and the expertise has to be upgraded accordingly.

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

I am trained in molding prosthetics, wigs and extensions on clients to help them get into character.

I love that brides are going back to more color on the lip. It got to be way too nude there for a while, so I love seeing the red, pink and berry shades coming back. The one trend that I would love to see left behind for makeup across the board is the harsh contouring! Just don’t do it ladies!!

Yes, I am a special events makeup artist by profession. I have covered wedding makeup, party makeup, funeral makeup, makeover makeup, theatre performance makeup and makeup for TV shootings

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.

☛ 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?

☛ 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?

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.

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.

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!