Crys Cook of Glamazon Makeup – Artist Interview
The following makeup artist interview with Texas based Crys Cook is full wisdom about of life, makeup and beauty.
I really like one of her favorite quotes: “Men are too simple to understand how complex women are; Women are to complex to understand how simple men are” (there are more towards the end of the interview).
Q: Tell a little about yourself personally and if you attended school or you are a self taught makeup artist?
A: I am a self taught makeup artist, that recently graduated from Aveda with my esthetics license.
Q: Do you think going to school for make-up artistry is important to excel in the business later on?
A: It can be helpful, especially for those who do not have as much natural talent, but it is not necessary.
Q: Did you always wanted to be an artist, or did you stumble upon your talent by chance? Who or what inspired you to become a makeup artist?
A: I stumbled upon it; I was a biology major. My family has always been really into Halloween (homemade costumes, very original and all out) and I just fell in love with the theatrical and fantasy makeup.
Q: What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?
A: Creating something that wasn’t originally there.
Q: What surprises you most about working as a makeup artist?
A: The range that makeup has, from natural to special fx makeup.
Q: Describe your “Classic Approach to Beauty.” how do you define beauty?
A: Beauty is something that inspires and invokes awe in one from a sunset to a kind heart to a beautiful face.
Q: What individual products and brands you’re “addicted” to at the moment and you use on a daily basis?
A: I use Rosebud Salve (or Aveda Lip Saver), DDF sunscreen spf 30 and Cosmedicine Medi Matte every day.I love my Sephora Prestige brushes, New York Color Eyebrow Powder, Jonathon Products Spray Dirt and of course Dior mascara.
Q: What are some of the most basic but effective skin care tips in general that you have, that are really important?
A: DO NOT OVER TWEEZE YOUR EYEBROWS (a Nike swoosh on your face is not flattering)! Use a lipstick with a blue base to make your teeth appear whiter. Any look needs to start off with “the perfect face”-prime, conceal and set.
Q: What is the biggest skin care dont’s?
A: Using anything with mineral oil, placing dirty things to the face (dirty pillowcases, dirty cell phones, dirty hands), popping pustules with fingers which in turn causes scarring.
Q: Have you had an extreme, crazy or bad experience with a skin care product or during a makeup session? If so, what happened?
A: I used a masque that had sometime of algae in it…. apparently I am allergic because my face started burning and was bright red- I now always do the spot test.
Q: What do you find to be the most common mistakes women make with makeup? What’s the worst thing a woman can do to her skin?
A: Most women do not use a foundation that is the right color- it should not look like a mask! Also, most over tweeze their eyebrows!
Q: What do you think are best/worst trends in the makeup / skin care industry right now?
A: I think the peach blush trend is great because it is such a flattering color on all skin tones; the heavy eyeliner that Cavalli used in his last show is not something that everyone can pull off; I LOVE that bold brows
are back-and that is the BEST trend right now!
Q: Do teenage girls needs to splurge on high-priced makeup products, or are drugstore items are just as satisfactory?
A: Most makeup that is high priced is because the molecules are smaller thus the makeup looks better, some drugstore makeup is great, but I think if a young girl learns how to properly use makeup there is no problem with her using something of higher quality (most of them have vitamins/anti oxidannts/sunscreen that will benefit her skin in the future). This generation should use preventive measures to protect their skin unlike the baby boomers.
Q: What feature(s) do you love to accentuate?
A: Brows (obviously, I love them), but other than that it depends on the person and what their best features are.
Q: What are your steps for the perfect, flawless, natural look?
A: Sunscreen/Moisturize, prime, foundation, conceal, set… I also love to contour and highlight.
Q: What is a really quick way to change a day look to a special occasion or nighttime face?
A: Lipstick, some contour eyeshadow to crease and eyeliner.
Q: What are the differences between applying makeup on models and on real women?
A: The dramatic details and the heaviness of the makeup.
Q: In terms of eyeliner, if you had to choose between a pencil, liquid, or creme/gel based, which one would you choose? Why?
A: Creme/Gel eyeliner because they are more versatile. You can soften it before it sets or you can create sharp lines with the right brush.
Q: Lip gloss or Lipstick. Which product is best? Why?
A: It depends on the look you are wanting to achieve. For a personal daily look though I prefer lipgloss because I play up my eyes more and have a tendency of “chewing” my lipstick off. I would recommend someone else to use lipstick though because there are a lot of different ones, including those that are have high shine.
Q: What should a client consider before deciding to try permanent makeup? What is the difference between permanent and semi-permanent makeup?
A: I would highly recommend not getting anything fashionable or trendy. This is a tattoo, are you going to want to wear red lipstick when you are 80 or thick black liner? Stick with something natural. Semi only lasts 2-3 years because of the depth of the ink. I would suggest they try this first before tattooing.
Q: What brand/type of concealer is your favorite for covering up the after effects of a late night out i.e. under-eye circles, blemishes?
A: Laura Mercier eye base is great for under eye circles and for blemishes I prefer either Stila Cover Stick, MUFE full coverage or Amazing Cosmetics Concealer.
Q: How about airbrush spray makeup trend? Are these products better or easier to use than standard sponge or finger application? If yes when would you recommend using them?
A: I have heard from different clients that they like them and others who don’t. I prefer to use hands on techniques.
Q: Would you share some of your future goals, your life motto, any words of wisdom that get you by in life and professional career?
A: I plan on getting my massage license in the future and might take a special fx class. My favorite quotes: “Speak Little, Do More” “A smile confuses an approaching frown” “Men are too simple to understand how complex women are; Women are to complex to understand how simple men are” “Glitter is the herpes of craft supplies” “The beauty of art is that there are no rules”
Q: What tips and advice do you have for aspiring makeup artists just starting out?
A: Network, network, network! Practice, practice, practice!
Connect with Crys via Glamazon Makeup on MySpace.