Princess Amayo – Professional Make-up Artist Interview
Q: Tell a little about yourself personally and if you attended school or you are a self taught makeup artist?
A: Lovely, passionate Capricorn who adores colors. I am a self taught artist from London. I have always been creative, as a child I was always painting and drawing its no surprise I ended up as a MUA.
Q: Do you think going to school for make-up artistry is important to excel in the business later on?
A: Not really, unless its specifics like SFX MakeUp. I believe make up is ART and you either got the talent or you don’t, besides most of the greats were self-taught.
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: For as long as I can remember I have always loved art. I always knew I wanted to do something artistic but I didn’t know what until I was in college. I studied HND in Fashion and Promotion, and at our final year fashion show I was asked by my tutor to help out with the makeup backstage. She had always loved and complimented my makeup application, after that show I got more and more request and I’ve been doing makeup every since.
Q: What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?
A: Seeing my clients faces when I’m finished, the transformation gives me a buzz.
Q: What surprises you most about working as a makeup artist?
A: Recognition, making new friends and of course the MONEY! :-)
Q: Describe your “Classic Approach to Beauty.” how do you define beauty?
A: Beauty comes from within and also in different forms.
Q: What individual products and brands you’re “addicted” to at the moment and you use on a daily basis?
A: Right now I am kinda addicted to Nyx Killer Shine Brush on Lipgloss, they smell yummy and I cant live the house without it. I also loving Maybeline Dream Matte Foundation Mousse, Maybeline Line Definer Felt-tip liquid liner, L’oreal Extra Volume Collagen Mascara.
Q: What are some of the most basic but effective skin care tips in general that you have, that are really important?
A: Wash your face twice a day, morning and night. Don’t forget the basics cleanse, tone, moisturize. It’s best to exfoliate your skin at least once a week, gives you a smooth surface to work with. Last but not the least, WATER!. Drink plenty of it cause it does wonders to the skin/complexion.
Q: What is the biggest skin care dont’s?
A: Never sleep in your makeup,
Do not pick on spots, this usually causes scaring.
Do not exfoliate more thank twice a week, moisture is lost when the face is over exfoliated
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 always plan ahead, luckily none yet!
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: When women wear the wrong color foundation, blush covering half of the face, over plucking of the eyebrows and then filling in with pencil ( hard drawn lines, really gets to me).
Q: What do you think are best/worst trends in the makeup / skin care industry right now?
A: I love the playful bright and trendy colors for spring and summer. It’s bringing fun back into makeup for the everyday look, this seasons blue, bright pinks, purple and orange are my favorites. No worst trends yet, will keep an eye out :-)
Q: Do teenage girls needs to splurge on high-priced makeup products, or are drugstore items are just as satisfactory?
A: There are as much nice makeup products in the drug stores as you’ll find in big department stores. In my makeup trolley you’ll find lots of brands from Superdrug like Sleek, Barry M, Collection 2000, N.Y.C and Rimmel London, all under a fiver!!
Q: What feature(s) do you love to accentuate?
A: Most definitely the eyes…I love doing wonders with them.
Q: What are your steps for the perfect, flawless, natural look?
A: Moisturizer, Light concealer (where needed), Light powder blend well across the face with a powder brush, fill in brows, Single stokes of mascara top and bottom lash, Lipgloss ( Nyx Frosted Walnut, Candies or Natural ) and bronzer for natural sunkissed look!
Q: What is a really quick way to change a day look to a special occasion or nighttime face?
A: With a tappered brush, apply any mid to dark eyeshadow of your choice between the crease and blend well. Apply a soft shimmer shadow in the inner eye corner and blend outwards. Apply a plummy or a bronzy shade lippy or lipgloss and Vuala!!!
Q: What are the differences between applying makeup on models and on real women?
A: Apart from the models profession there isn’t much difference between the two. Depending on the project, usually there are no boundaries when working on a model and you can be as creative as you wish. Real women love the glamour look but would rather apply it as light as possible and not too loud.
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: Liquid eyeliner BABY! Works better and you gets you noticed.
Q: Lip gloss or Lipstick. Which product is best? Why?
A: Lipgloss, because its very versatile.
Q: What should a client consider before deciding to try permanent makeup? What is the difference between permanent and semi-permanent makeup?
A: Personally I wouldn’t advice this, Sorry!
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: MAC works best.
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 no experience in airbrushing, so i would go for the sponge/finger application.
Q: What do your clients think of you? What are some individual testimonials?
A: They think of me as a star ! and absolutely love my work.
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 would love to launch my own cosmetic line, write a book and set up a Makeup agency…..My life motto: If you can dream it, you can be it !!!
Q: What tips and advice do you have for aspiring makeup artists just starting out?
A: Follow your dreams….It is very competitive in the world of Makeup Artistry and it isn’t easy but when you love what you do then you take every challenge that comes your way as a test. How you handle this challenges will determine where you are in 5 years time.
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