Kenecia Lashae New York Airbrush Make-up Artist Interview
Q: Do you think going to school for make-up artistry is important to excel in the business later on?
A: I think going to school for makeup artistry could be fun and exciting, but there are vast ways to gain valuable experience. I started working for major brand and they gave me hands on training and awesome tools.
Q: What surprises you most about working as a makeup artist?
A: People treat you like a star!
Q: Tell a little about yourself personally and if you attended school or you are a self taught makeup artist?
A: Pretty, Passionate, Pisces in love with color and travel. Hailing from Texas all the way to the Big Apple I’m determined, creative, and explosive. I have been a Makeup Artist since 2002 and while it has been a journey, this is just the beginning. I am Kenecia Lashae in search of Peace and Beauty!
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 loved beauty and girly things. My grandmother use to wear this lipstick and when she kissed me I would rub it around my cheeks. It wasn’t until after college that I learned how to pursue makeup as a career with a nudge from my mother I was on my way.
Q: What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?
A: The traveling, I cant get enough of it. Its like work and play every time I go on an assignment.
Q: Describe your “Classic Approach to Beauty.” how do you define beauty?
A: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I wear what compliments how I am feeling that day.
Q: What individual products and brands you’re “addicted” to at the moment and you use on a daily basis?
A: I am loving some Make Up Forever. I rock with Tarte Cosmetics a lot and La Metier de Beaute has some beautiful lip glosses!
Q: What are some of the most basic but effective skin care tips in general that you have, that are really important?
A: I love a good primer because it helps your makeup go on smooth and protects your face from free radicals floating in the air.
Q: What is the biggest skin care dont’s?
A: Don’t leave your house with out moisturizer, preferably one with SPF.
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 once bought a face cream and once I applied it to my face it burned like crazy and when I removed it my face was covered in hives. From that point on I will test a small amount on my jawline or behind my ear.
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: The most common mistake that women make with makeup is not wearing the right foundation. Sometimes it takes two shades blended together to match your skin tone exactly.
Q: What do you think are best/worst trends in the makeup / skin care industry right now?
A: The best makeup trend is flawless glowing skin. The worst trend is the winged out eyeliner, which in the wrong hands can turn into Halloween everyday of the year.
Q: Do teenage girls needs to splurge on high-priced makeup products, or are drugstore items are just as satisfactory?
A: Teenage girls should have access to whichever products they can afford with their allowance. If they are new to makeup, it might be best to practice with drugstore items first.
Q: What feature(s) do you love to accentuate?
A: I love love love a cheek bone. You can fake it until you make it!
Q: What are your steps for the perfect, flawless, natural look?
A: Perfect, flawless skin begins on the inside. Drink water not just bathe in it and eat well. Also, finding a good skincare regimen is key. For a natural look I do adore a tinted moisturizer.
Q: What is a really quick way to change a day look to a special occasion or nighttime face?
A: When changing your day time look to night time look just add more. I usually add a deeper crease color to the eyelid and more eyeliner. I take the lips up a notch and shine up my pout. To top it off I add a bit more blush. Voila!
Q: What are the differences between applying makeup on models and on real women?
A: Honestly there is no difference. Women want to feel beautiful no matter their occupation or features.
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: I use a variety of eyeliners. I like gel because it is usually highly pigmented and glides on smoothly. Liquid is great for added drama and pencil is great for lining the lower eye.
Q: Lip gloss or Lipstick. Which product is best? Why?
A: Hey use them both why not? Lipstick can give you great pigment and a gloss can add vinyl 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’m not too sure about permanent makeup. I would consult a professional. Do consider customer testimonies, photos, cost, time, aftercare and pain ouch!!
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: I really enjoy working with M.A.C Select Cover Up concealer it is smooth and creamy with a skin like finish.
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: Airbrush is a beautiful addition to the makeup community. I would much rather use a beauty blender and high definition foundation. The results are just as nice with less fuss.
Q: What do your clients think of you? What are some individual testimonials?
A: My clients tell me that I am a joy and I very much like therapy. We often talk about other subjects such as politics, relationships, and careers.
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: My future goals include becoming a freelance creative art director for beauty and fashion magazines. In the future I would like to launch a makeup accessory line geared towards makeup artist. Being a part of the solution, I would like to start my own non profit helping women groom themselves for employment. I believe it is important to give peace and beauty to the world.
Q: What tips and advice do you have for aspiring makeup artists just starting out?
A: Dream BIGGER than BIG! Find beauty in everyone and everything. Travel…go somewhere and see something to fuel your creativity.
You can visit Kenecia’s MySpace and Model Mayhem profiles here.
