Diary of a Makeup Artist gives me a way to chat about my life as a makeup artist and how it relates to the other aspects of my life such as being a Mother, Wife, Agent, Writer, Makeup Instructor, Volunteer, and whatever else I do with my life.
Oscar time is just around the corner so all the preliminary voting is about to begin. Just announced are the movies in the running for best makeup. Let's see who is going to make the final cut.
Take a look at Screen Crush's review of the seven films up for consideration. Tell me what you think.
The Final Nominations for Makeup & Hairstyling for the 85th Academy Awards are:
Hitchcock The Hobbit: An expected Journey les Miserables Lincoln Looper Men inBlack 3 Snow White and the Huntsman
January 5th, 2013, Members of the Academy's Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch will view a 10 minute excerpt from each film listed and then cast their final vote to nominate the three films for consideration. Those Films will be listed on the final ballot which is voted on by all Academy members.
Thursday January 10th, at 5:30 AM PST The Academy will announce the 2013 Oscar nominations
The 85th Academy Awards will air live on Sunday February 24, 2013 on ABC.
Just wanted to share with you the 2013 Schedule for Lipstick Lectures from Workshops by Marietta. This free online one-hour seminar takes place the second Saturday of each month at 11:00 AM E.S.T. Please note that occasionally the schedule might change due to conflicting engagements.
On Saturday November 3rd, I got an early start so that I could pack for The Makeup Show Orlando. I was excited about this show because I felt it would have a large number of attendees. My goal was to meet as many people as possible and encourage them to attend my seminar on the main floor. In addition, I also wanted to spread the word about my upcoming "Lipstick Session" seminars and hands-on-workshops for December as well as the upcoming 2013 calendar year.
While checking my emails that morning, I saw an email from Marcia Weekes, the director and producer of the "Hush" series and "Chrissy", the newly released children's movie from Barbados. Upon reading the email I realize that I would have to shorten my trip to Orlando because attached to the email was an e-ticket for Barbados leaving out of Miami on Monday, November 5th. That meant my Orlando trip would be shortened by a day in order to make that flight. As disappointed as I was to curtail this trip, I was just as excited to embark upon this new venture. I worked with Marcia and her husband Dave as a "Creative Consultant" on "Chrissy", so I was very excited to see the final project.
My husband and I drove up to Orlando on Saturday evening, It was a lovely drive. Of course he did all the driving. We crashed at a girlfriend's home for the night. On Sunday morning we headed off to the Peabody Hotel in downtown Orlando. After being misguided by that "talking lady" on the GPS, we finally found our way. We hurried into the event hall and quickly set up our booth, which was occupied with boxes from both Stila Cosmetics and Ofra Cosmetics. Our booth turned out to be their holding area. HUMMM...not sure about that one. The hall was buzzing, so many eager and excited artists. I love that feeling, especially when I have to speak. I couldn't wait to take the stage. My lecture focused on The Dynamics of Film and Television, a breakdown of what film and television is about. It felt good to see a nice crowd in the corner waiting for me to speak. I received a warm welcome from the packed corner. Everyone was eager to ask questions about the industry. I was still surprised at many of the questions pertaining to film and television, which tells me, more education is needed. My class schedule for 2013 will be posted shortly...Education, Education, Education...
As I was collecting emails in my seminar corner, Errol was busy collecting emails at our booth. The consummate salesman/husband, he was busy selling his wife's talent to whoever would lend an ear. That's why I love him so. We passed out a lot of information on upcoming seminars from Workshops by Marietta.
It was a great weekend, too bad I had to cut it short by a day.
One of the highlights of this show was being able to hang and chat with the fabulous makeup artist Tia Danztler, some of Jennifer Hudson's great looks. I had a chance to listen to her speak as well as purchase her wonderful new DVD Red Carpet Beauty Secrets. Check it out!
As soon as the show was over on Sunday, we hightailed it out of The Peabody and headed back to good ole Davie, so that I could unpack...repack, and be up by the crack of dawn to head off to Miami and catch AA to Barbados, my island in the sun. I appreciate all the support and encouragement I always receive when I speak at a trade show. So, thanks to all who showed up for my lecture and for those who stopped by to say hello or signed my mailing list. It was my pleasure If you haven't done so yet, take a minute to join my blog "Diary Of A Makeup Artist"by submitting your email address directly on the front page of the site, and also like my Workshops by Marietta page. Stay tuned..
Not being sure when exactly principal photography would
start, I still assumed they would call me as promised. After all, why shouldn’t they? I have been in this business long
enough. I am confident that my
background and experience is plenty to get me hired. For crying out loud, Malcolm
X spans several decades, the ‘20s, ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. Some days I was in charge of 50 makeup artists
and hair stylists, manning some 4000-plus-background artists (extras). Eve’s
Bayou was a period film and so was Tina,
What’s Love Got To Do With It, which also covers a couple of decades. Angela Bassett had 52 wardrobe changes
in that movie.
Well that call never came. So there was a brief window when I started to doubt myself
and my abilities to perform in the industry. After all, the last movie I worked on was the Miami
location of Old Dogs in 2007, where I
was personal makeup artist to Rita Wilson. My doubt quickly morphed to fear. Why was I so scared? I was starting
over one more time. I had to prove
myself once more. My experience
should have been enough for them to make a solid decision. Maybe they are looking for something else. Someone with more print and fashion
experience than film. I am not going to browbeat
myself. I told my husband that if
this was for me it would happen.
I’m putting it out to the universe and left it in God’s hands.
Well, the universe finally answered.
Monday, October 17 It was somewhere after lunch.
I had just finished my live online makeup class and was grading
assignments when I picked up the phone to the frantic voice of Mara Brock
Akil’s on the other end. Our conversation went somewhat like this:
Mara: Hi Marietta, Do you remember me? We interviewed you a few months back for the movie Sparkle. I am Mara Brock Akil, the writer and producer of the film.
I steard
at the phone. Aren’t they shooting the movie now?Why is she calling me now?
Me:Of course I
remember you.We had a great
interview. How can I help
you?
Mara:We are into
our second week of shooting and we are having some challenges.
Me:What kind
of challenges?
Skeptical, I kept waiting for her to explain the challenges,
hoping she would also explain why I hadn’t heard from her.I admit I was put off a little
bit.
Me:I was
disappointed when I didn’t hear from you.You didn’t seem like the type to leave someone hanging on, so I thought
it strange.
She apologized profusely.Her line producer was suppose to have called to
thank me for the interview and notify me that they had hired someone else.
Me:What kind
of trouble are you having? In my mind I am wondering why she doesn’t get to the
point.
Mara:Our
makeup department is in serious TROUBLE.During our interview, you stressed the importance of having an
experienced department head.That
resonated with us. Better late than never.We really need some help restructuring the department.
This was the first in a series of calls that afternoon.Each was more panicked than the previous.She finally said things had gone
from bad to worse to downright horrific.As we were speaking the makeup artist in question was packing to
leave.I could hear the stress and
anxiety in Mara’s voice and I truly felt bad for her.I wasn’t sure what she was looking for, but I told her that
I would come and assess the situation and see how I could be of help until they
found someone else.It was just
after 6:00 pm when she asked if I could get on the next flight this evening to
Detroit?
Me:Dahhhhhhh,
are you kidding me…like the next flight out of Fort Lauderdale?
I told her that I couldn’t leave that night but asked her to
get me on the first flight out of Fort Lauderdale the next day.She was open to that.After a brief discussion with my
husband, we both agreed that I would travel to Detroit, cautiously.
Within a few minutes the line producer called to discuss
details, travel arrangements, salary, perdiem, shipping of equipment,
transportation and accommodations. I put the phone down and panicked.How was I going to do this?Fly to Detroit to work on a
period movie that was already in production for two weeks?Was I crazy?Where was I going to start?
I needed to do laundry, to gather winter clothes, to sort
out makeup.What was I going to
take?I was going nuts.I didn’t even have a script.I had just enough time to throw three
pairs of pants and three turtlenecks into a suitcase along with an assortment
of makeup to head off on the first flight next morning to Detroit.I had absolutely no idea who the actors
were that I would be working with or the makeup crew that was already
there.Are there
allergies?Are there
idiosyncrasies?Are there
personality quirks? Are we going to all get along?
I spent most of the evening sorting and packing makeup.I didn’t have enough time to ship my
makeup so I carried it as excess baggage.I packed two small suitcases with makeup and one standard size with
clothes, boots and coats.I didn’t
get much sleep.By the time I laid
down around 3:30 am, I had to get up, throw the rest of my things in a
carry-on-bag, pay some bills, organize myself a little more and be out of the
house by 6:00 am.I was leaving
80-degree weather in south Florida and heading to Detroit in the middle of
fall.Does this sound glamorous?
Tuesday October 18
I felt like I was starting over for the umpteenth time;
reinventing myself once again.I
couldn’t sleep on the plane.I was
a bundle of nerves.I arrived in
Detroit, where a driver with a sign was waiting for me in the baggage claim
area.He collected my luggage and
took me to The Doubletree,downtown Metro Detroit.I
expected when I checked in that I would have had a package at the front desk or
some kind of message walking me through the day.Disappointed I was, there was nothing.Maybe they left it in the room, along
with a welcome basket. I opened
the door, Still nothing.No call
sheet!No messages! Nothing!I tried all the phone numbers that I
had, Mara’s, Scott’s, Debra’s, no answer.
Hmm, I’m thinking, what am I doing here?I was tired but I was too scared to lay my head down, afraid
that if I fell asleep I would miss a phone call from production.I didn’t have a call sheet so how was
I to know they were on a night schedule. Everyone was asleep.After a couple of hours at the hotel , during which I must
have dozed, the second AD finally called and told me to meet him in the lobby
because I was riding to the set with him.What was I going to find?
Sparkle - coming August 17th to a theatre near you
The Interview
Monday August 15, 2011
I interviewed for "Sparkle" via telephone with Mara Brock Akil, Debra Martin Chase and Gaylyn
Fraiche, the writer and producers. The Three were in Los Angeles and I was at home in south
Florida.They were curious about
the seven-year gap in my career.Let’s be real, I took a break to raise my kid.No apologies! No regrets! I made sure they understood
that even though I took a hiatus from the industry that I never stopped doing makeup.
On Sunday December 25th, I had my 4 minutes of fame in the South Florida market. I had a chance to appear on WPLG Channel 10 Miami - Just News. I did a segment on Festive Makeup Ideas for New Year's Eve. It was a great experience, just like my days with Interface Cosmetics. I did holiday looks on three models, Nina, Ana Maria, and Ariella.
I also used this opportunity to give two of my makeup students from Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry, Rachel (assistant) and Ana Maria (model) a chance to see the operations of a Television studio.
My husband Errol and my son Gregoire also accompanied me. Gregoire played photographer, while Errol helped me set up.
So thank you Rachel, Errol and Gregoire, and thanks to my models Nina, Ana Maria and Ariella.
Things moved very quickly, I had less than an hour to do three models. Whew...
Big thank you to Palladio Beauty Groupavailable at Sally's Beauty Supplynationwide
Festive Makeup Ideas For New Year's Eve and Everyday
Ana Maria
Foundation: RCMA Color Process Foundation Shinto 2
Powder: William Tuttle - Ultra Fine Translucent Face Powder
Cream Blush: Eve Pearl High Definition Cream Blush Trio
Eyes: Palladio Baked Eyeshadow Trio in "Metallics"
Lips: Palladio Herbal Lipstick in "Just Red"
Palladio Waterproof Retractable Lip Liner in "Bright Red"
Nina
Foundation: RCMA Color Process Foundation
Powder: Custom blended
Cream Blush: Eve Pearl High Definition Cream Blush Trio
Eyes: PalladioBaked Eyeshadow Single in "Bronzee"
PalladioHerbal Thickening Mascara in "Black"
Lips:PalladioWaterproof Retractable Lip Liner in "Blackberry" PalladioHerbal Lipstick in "Juniper" Ariella Foundation: RCMAColor Process Foundation
Powder: William Tuttle - Ultra Fine Translucent Face Powder
Cream Blush: Eve Pearl High Definition Cream Blush Trio
PalladioBaked Blush in "Wish"
Eyes: PalladioBaked Eyeshadow Trio in "Pink Bliss"
Lips:PalladioHerbal Lipstick in "Pinky"
PalladioHerbal Lip Gloss in "Passion Pink"
RCMA and Tuttle products available at www.alconeco.com
Eve Pearl available at www.evepearl.com
Helpful Hints:
Try using a primer prior to applying makeup to keep makeup lasting longer Lancôme’s Pure Focus T-Zone Powder Gel or
Palladio’s Herbal Liquid Foundation Primer Really large pores - try Clinique Pore Minimizer T-Zone Shine Control
Skin a bit dry - try Eve Pearl’s Priming Moisturizer with Astaxanthin
- Embryolisse’s lait-crème concentre (24 hr miracle cream)
For longer lasting blush, try using a cream blush, must be applied after foundation but before powder
Want makeup to hold up all night, set foundation with powder applied with a powder puff, then lightly brush off excess
To keep lipstick lasting longer, use a light dusting of powder over lips, then apply lip pencil all over, then lipstick with a brush, and then a tad of gloss in the middle of the bottom lip, just the middle to avoid product bleeding all over mouth
Keep eyes sexy by smudging dark brown, black, or eggplant in the outer corners of the eye. Use lots of mascara, or try adding false lashes for a very dramatic sexy look
Keep eyes a soft nude with rosy cheeks, and a full mouth
Add a tad of glitter to body lotion for a soft shimmer to the skin
Losing your color in the South Florida cold, add a bronzing powder all over the face for a sexy shimmery look.
It's been a little while since I sat down to write, been a little side-tracked, not in a bad way. I have been busy working on my book, Bridging the Gap from School to the Set, as well as some other things. I have also been listening to podcasts from Crystal Wright, EvePearl TV via Ustream, Blogtalkradio with Illusions Cosmetics - love my girls Denise and Jenice. I have been on Blog talk radio with Illusions cosmetics back to back. As a matter of fact, on Monday it was a great session where I enjoyed sharing the time with Sara Seidman Vance, great lady. I can't get enough knowledge or share enough information
I am on my own personal path to strengthening me. Trust me it's an evolving process. Getting back out in the market place full swing is a little overwhelming, even for me, so I have been taking baby steps, with a giant leap every now and then. Just like you, I too have to narrow down where I want to go and what I want to do. It's getting closer and starting to make sense. I am seeing the light at the end of that tunnel.
So, even though I might have side-stepped a little, I am back on track.
I know that some of you are interested in more personalized classes and career guidance. I am available via Skype and iChat to speak with you or via email.
So, just know that it is OK to veer off the road every now and then, just as long as you don't loose your path or footing. Stay focused and get back on track. Keep on that path until you reach your final destination.
It was a little tough yesterday, students missing or went home because they are not feeling well. I felt like my class was leaving me, everyone is catching a sore throat, so by the end of the day, they started to get a little sluggish. Got to keep that energy up. It's hard but it's also school, a place to learn so that you can go out into the real world and make that money.
Today is going to be a great day. They did hands-on 20's makeup so today we are going to look at the photos from that and critique the work. Here we go...
I want my students to be the best critic of their own work. I want them to instantly notice when the lip liner is crooked or the eyeliner and eyebrows are crooked and placement for period makeup. Is the blush placed correctly or are the lips shaped to the period or the eyebrows to the period. Placement, placement...Depending on where you place the blush, or how you shape the lips, the color used, all of those factors determine the period.
My promise to myself is to be sconsistent with my writing on a daily basis. Challenging as it may be, I have gotten up every morning and done my due dillegence. I may not have enough time to write as much as I would like to but I write. These past couple of weeks are tough, I have a lot going on. Nothing new, I always have a lot going on. I have been teaching for two consecutive weeks, so there is very little down-time. I am also playing catch up and trying to input all the QuickBooks figures that I lost during my computer crashes. Yes I am behind, but almost done. When I came home last night, as much as I wanted to input numbers, I just couldn't. I couldn't see straight. Tonight... maybe I will have more energy. I am not sure, but I will give it a go.
My students are so excited to learn, that they went home last night to wring out their mental sponges and come back for more today. It's a bit challenging because a lot of the marketing and script information has to be delivered in lecture format. There's no way around that. OK, off to get ready for class.
It's so important for you to always do the research and verify for yourself, especially when you are now starting out in this industry. Don't take everything as GOSPEL. A big part of learning is also "truth seeking". Learn how to question in a "good way". Be inquisitive, don't be gullible. Too many students want to skip steps. They want to be spoon-fed. They don't take notes, they think that they can recall everything. So many want to run before they can even crawl. Slow down...you're going too fast. You're doing yourself a disservice. Take the time to learn the basics properly. Why? Because the basics don't change. With today's technology, you have to understand what is going on. If you really want to make it in this industry, there is a lot of work to be done.
Off to a say of script breakdown and understanding.
We work in an industry where we transfer energies. Every time we touch someone's face there is a transfer of energy. So today I explained to my students the importance of checking "stinkin thinkin" at the door before entering my classroom. "Stinkin Thinkin" permeates a room faster than gasoline on fire. It's toxic and can ruin your day. And worst, it's usually unspoken dialogue. This is an industry where attitude towards work is more important than physical makeup application. Trust me, most people prefer to work with a mediocre artist with a great attitude than an amazingly talented artist with a bad attitude.
So, note to self...to attain success in this industry I need a likable personality with a great attitude.
I always check my personality and attitude before I even enter the parking lot at school because what happens in my house, stays in my house. It does not belong in the classroom when I am teaching you.
So, as a student heading towards being a professional, learn how to keep your life as your own.
What happened the night before does not belong in the classroom...
Yesterday was a very productive day, even though some students complained about about repetition. Sometimes repetition reinforces the material. The problem is when students feel they know everything, even though they can't verbalize it, they never want to listen to what they think they have heard before. When you 26 students in front of you and they all need 1on1, it's challenging...
I look forward to avery exciting day cause my buddy Sher is going to be working with me. Aren't these students lucky. Wow.
Yesterday was a fantastic class, I love when my students ask lots of questions. This is also encouragement for me to complete my book, which is so needed in the industry. I am so excited. Today we will focus on doing makeup on men. It's so important to understand how to groom a man properly.
It's Monday morning and I've been up for a while, catching up on back papers and getting reading for my class. Today I am teaching the basic principles of HDTV. I think HDTV is cruel to anyone over the age of 10. As beautiful as the end results maybe, it is just not forgiving. I look at the news some nights and I can barely stomach the site of some of the bad makeup. When are station owners in markets like Miami going to "get it", and realize that anchors are not makeup artists. It's like me broadcasting the news at night, even though I may do a good job of it, I am not a news anchor. I am a trained makeup artist. Well, they are trained journalists, not makeup artists. So can someone tell these station owners that these local markets need makeup artists and stylists because HDTV shows everything. It brings the flaws to life. Don't take my word for it, tune in the the news at night and see for yourself. Pick a station, any station. I don't make this stuff up.
To all my aspiring makeup artists, if you are heavy handed, you may have to rethink you application techniques when doing makeup for HD. HD is about blending, blending and more blending. Not like the old analog format, you have no room for flaws and demarcation. No hard edges. So blend, blend, blend. Now you can try some of the many new formulations for HD, but guess what...you still have to blend, blend, blend.
So off I go to class to teach them how to do what. Blend, Blend, Blend...
It's Sunday morning and I feel great because I know that God has a wonderful and productive day in store for me. As I go about my day I will be thankful for all that I have been given and all the experiences that I have grown from. I am grateful for all that I am and all that I continue to be. Amen...
As I sit here today, I think about the tasks that I need to accomplish over the next couple of weeks. I know that this will only happen through prioritzing, so that is my focus for today.
Prioritize, prioritize...
Yesterday I accomplished four out of the seven things on my To Do List. This is good. Today I will complete the rest. I am still playing catch-up with my Quick Books. Thanks to a crashed computer, not once but twice, I almost lost everything. So I am still reentering numbers. I realized that I get so overwhelmed with the numbers that instead of entering a little at a time, I have allowed my archenemies Overwhelm and Procrastinate to lead me in the wrong direction, and entered nothing. From now on, Overwhelm and Procrastinate are not my friends. Therefore, effective today, October 9, 2010, I will severe all ties to Overwhelm and Procrastinate.
I will use today wisely and input as many numbers as I physically and mentally can without frying my brain.
So my affirmation for today is:
Today is a beautiful and uplifting day, I am energized and prepared to complete my tasks in Quick Books as well as prepare for my classes that I am teaching next week.
Gregoire is volunteering at the Park, so this gives me more uninterrupted time. Thank you Lord for the wonderful day that you have provided me. I will make every moment count productively.
Part of my restructuring is maintaining my discipline to write, so whether it is one sentence, a paragraph, or an entire page, I must write daily. This morning I am off to Miami to do a bride before she gets on a sailing ship to The Bahamas...
Since I've decided to reinvent my self one more time, I've have been reevaluating my life. No regrets...I played the cards that I have been dealt, even the mistakes, I learned from them. Would I have changed anything, maybe a few things. Not what I did, but maybe the order in which I did them. Unfortunately our cards are not usually dealt that way.
So many of my students constantly ask about my career and how to achieve that same level of success. I cannot reiterate enough...it's about setting goals, reevaluating them, writing them down, and working with the universe to achieve them. So many times we ask God for help but we forget to ask for signs to recognize the help when it comes. So STOP waiting for that Mercedes to give you a ride, your ride may be on a bicycle or a donkey cart, just learn how to recognize your ride and jump on it. Jump on it...Jump on it...
As I move along this path, I will break down how I am going about my own reinvention. First I was overwhelmed. Then I was scared. Now I am calm and level-headed and I realize that I have to do this for me. I love makeup, passionate about it, and I am damn good at it. But, I no longer have that desire to be on a set for 75-90 hours a week. I am ready to pass the baton. That's right. It's time to train a whole new generation of makeup artists. Don't get me wrong, I am still interested in doing certain makeup jobs but not the day-to-day grind of the set.
Years ago the The Tennessean Times referred to me as a "makeup evangelist" because of my innate passion for makeup, and the fashion & entertainment industry. I love this industry. I am at the stage of my life where I need to move to the next level for me. I am passionate about teaching, lecturing, and writing. I enjoy inspiring and coaching a new generation of artists, so that's my new direction. Combing inspirational lectures, coaching, and writing. Love, love to write, so I am working on a couple of books. The first is on bridging the gap between school and the set, and the second is a journal on my life as a makeup artist.
This is my start...
...you have to be the entrepreneur of your own destiny.
