Interview With Make-up Artist, Image Consultant Melissa Geriah

Q: Do you think going to school for make-up artistry is important to excel in the business later on?
A: Absolutely you always need to know your basics and then tend to develop your own style.

Q: What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?
A: My finished product, seeing what I’ve created.

Q: What surprises you most about working as a makeup artist?
A: How many different looks you can achieve with the same products

Q: Describe your “Classic Approach to Beauty.” how do you define beauty?
A: Simple elegance and whatever fashion statement we are trying to create.

Q: What individual products and brands you’re “addicted” to at the moment and you use on a daily basis?
A: Sorme and Mac cosmetics

Q: What are some of the most basic but effective skin care tips in general that you have, that are really important?
A: Cleanse, tone and moisturize.

Q: What is the biggest skin care dont’s?
A: Using alcohol in your toner or to take off your makeup

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: False eyelashes not sticking.

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: Using the wrong colors that don’t work with your skin tone.

Q: What do you think are best/worst trends in the makeup / skin care industry right now?
A: The worst is probably overly thin eyebrows and dark lip liner with light color lipsticks. The best is natural barely there look.

Q: Do teenage girls needs to splurge on high-priced makeup products, or are drugstore items are just as satisfactory?
A: Most drug store products are sufficient.

Q: What feature(s) do you love to accentuate?
A: The person’s best features eyes, lips, etc.

Q: What are your steps for the perfect, flawless, natural look?
A: Use mineral makeup or for photo shoots airbrush.

Q: What is a really quick way to change a day look to a special occasion or nighttime face?
A: Add a heavier eye and darker shade of lip stick

Q: What are the differences between applying makeup on models and on real women?
A: With models you usually use heavier makeup for the camera

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

Q: Lip gloss or Lipstick. Which product is best? Why?
A: Lip gloss with a liner of your choice, it gives a more natural pout look.

Q: What should a client consider before deciding to try permanent makeup? What is the difference between permanent and semi-permanent makeup?
A: With permanent makeup it’s tattooed on and can not be removed. The other you can take off with makeup remover.

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: Dermablend or Mac

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 don’t believe they are easier or better for general use. They are better for film, TV and special occasions.

Q: What do your clients think of you? What are some individual testimonials?
A: I listen to peoples likes and dislikes. I can be very accommodating when you need it with achieving a one desires. I really try to have a good line of communication with my clients.

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: Do what you love and you will succeed.

Q: What tips and advice do you have for aspiring makeup artists just starting out?
A: Observe other makeup artist that are involved to pick up other trends and techniques.