Annastazia Mendez of Maryland – Make-up Artist Interview
Enjoy the following interview with Maryland based makeup artist Annastazia Mendez, it’s filled with practical advice i.e. go to beauty school if you can afford it otherwise learn from youtube videos.
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: Being a makeup artist has always been second for me, I’m actually an audio engineer. I love doing both equally, and makeup is something I can do more often.
Q: Tell a little about yourself personally and if you attended school or you are a self taught makeup artist?
A: I’m a self taught artist, believe it or not a learn most of what I know from youtube and the rest from trial and error.
Q: Do you think going to school for make-up artistry is important to excel in the business later on?
A: Yes, definitely in the future I want to attend school. But the present economy and my financial situation is making it difficult.
Q: What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?
A: To me there are two things that excite me. One is learning something new and second is the satisfaction I feel when I do a great job and the client is happy.
Q: What surprises you most about working as a makeup artist?
A: Sometimes its how expensive products can be, especially when they’re poor quality.
Q: Describe your “Classic Approach to Beauty.” how do you define beauty?
A: My classic approach to beauty would be the enhancement of each persons personal beauty. To me beauty is flawless skin and piercing eyes.
Q: What individual products and brands you’re “addicted” to at the moment and you use on a daily basis?
A: Urban Decay Primer potion and Nars eyeshadow….I love love love em!
Q: What are some of the most basic but effective skin care tips in general that you have, that are really important?
A: Take care of your skin. When I was in high school I picked at my face and now I have scars that I can’t get rid of. If I had taken care of my skin I wouldn’t have this problem.
Q: What is the biggest skin care dont’s?
A: Don’t go to sleep with makeup on. Buy yourself makeup remover wipes, you’ll love yourself for it when your skin looks glowy and your break out free.
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: Nope. Haven’t got there yet, but I pray I never get one.
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: Wearing to much foundation and making it look all cakey. Foundation should mimic and enhance your own skin, not look like you could scrap it off with a spatula.
Q: What do you think are best/worst trends in the makeup / skin care industry right now?
A: The best trend I would say is the nude lip. I think it looks so seductive. The worst would be the neon eyeshadows…no one does it in a flattering fashion.
Q: Do teenage girls needs to splurge on high-priced makeup products, or are drugstore items are just as satisfactory?
A: I think it really depends on the product. Somethings like mascara and lip products can be the bomb from the drugstore, but things like eyeshadow and foundation are best bought custom from a stand. Like my mother says ” You get what you pay for.”
Q: What feature(s) do you love to accentuate?
A: My first would be eyes and second is skin.
Q: What are your steps for the perfect, flawless, natural look?
A: Moisturizer, concealer, foundation, and finish with translucent powder. But I had one I would definitely airbrush foundation.
Q: What is a really quick way to change a day look to a special occasion or nighttime face?
A: Pick a darker shade of lip color, then smoke out your eyes with eye liner.
Q: What are the differences between applying makeup on models and on real women?
A: On a model you want to achieve a certain look and on a real women you want to enhance her beauty while educating her so see can achieve that look on her own on a daily bases.
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: Omg it’s impossible to choose because the all work differently when achieving a look. Pencil is good for smudging, liner is good for precision, and creme/gel can do a little of both.
Q: Lip gloss or Lipstick. Which product is best? Why?
A: Lip gloss has come a long way you can achieve the same color coverage as lipstick, so I’d say lip gloss.
Q: What should a client consider before deciding to try permanent makeup? What is the difference between permanent and semi-permanent makeup?
A: What will you do if you have a special event to attend and you makeup doesn’t match the event. Your stuck with what you got.
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: Graftobian concealer palette. It’s pricey but its smooth.
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: Yes, and I would recommend it. It looks more natural.
Q: What do your clients think of you? What are some individual testimonials?
A: Most of my client so far have been family. They’ve been blown away by how my skills has progressed. And even though they’re family I always want the client to be comfortable.
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: In the future I want to be a MAC artist and use my profit from my makeup to supplement my recording studio. I want to network with lots of industry individuals, so I can call on them whenever a project arises.
Q: What tips and advice do you have for aspiring makeup artists just starting out?
A: Learn everyday and Practice on whoever you can get your hands on.