Taran Amicone – Make-up Artist, Hair Dresser Interview
Q: What surprises you most about working as a makeup artist?
A: I am amazed at how drastically I can change one’s look by simply adding colors to the face.
Q: Do you think going to school for make-up artistry is important to excel in the business later on?
A: I do believe it is important for an individual to attend school specifically for make up artistry, however, there are those who simply have the passion for make up, and know just as much as those who have attended a school.
Q: Tell a little about yourself personally and if you attended school or you are a self taught makeup artist?
A: I am motivated and very self driven. I attended school for cosmetology and became a hair dresser for several years, but make up was always my true passion. I trained myself, by practicing and reading tons of book. I managed to educate myself, including those around me who were interested in my education.
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: Since I was a little girl, I always had a fascination for make up. I had dreams about doing make up for celebrities and fashion magazines. It’s something I think about everyday and pray that one day I can make it real.
Q: What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?
A: I love making people feel and look beautiful
Q: Describe your “Classic Approach to Beauty.” how do you define beauty?
A: My classic approach to beauty is to bring out the individual’s personality and inner beauty out onto their face. You can sometimes since a person’s inner beauty just by their face. They may have a warm smile, and bright eyes that will tell the tail.
Q: What individual products and brands you’re “addicted” to at the moment and you use on a daily basis?
A: I am a huge fan of Bare Minerals Make up. I think it is so natural looking and gentle to all skin tones. I’m also a huge fan of Benefit’s I Con which is an eyeshadow base. It holds your eyeshadow on for hours without creasing. I also like Mac’s prep and prime powder. It provides an airbrushed finish at the end of your makes up routine.
Q: What are some of the most basic but effective skin care tips in general that you have, that are really important?
A: Never sleep with make up on. Even if you’re in a rush to get to bed, at least use a gentle wash cloth to wipe your make up off. Sleeping in make up can cause cause blackheads and dull skin.
Q: What is the biggest skin care dont’s?
A: Do not put make up on an unwashed face. You are sealing in the oils and debris that haven’t been cleaned off of your face yet.
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: Let’s just say you have to be very careful with an eyelash curler. You can end up ripping out a few lashes if you’re not careful and the hairs can be a pain to grow back!
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: One huge common mistake a woman can make with make up is wearing a too dark foundation. They can end up looking like they are wearing a mask. The worst thing a woman can do to her skin is to pile on a lot of make up, causing pores to clog. If you don’t need a lot of make up, less is always better! And of course, I will once again stress the importance of not sleeping in your make up!
Q: What do you think are best/worst trends in the makeup / skin care industry right now?
A: I think the worst trend in make up right now is the bright pink lipstick. I don’t think anything too bright compliments anyone’s skin. I am also not a fan of the over dramatic cat eyes. It is very unnatural looking.
Q: Do teenage girls needs to splurge on high-priced makeup products, or are drugstore items are just as satisfactory?
A: Once a teenager myself, I was very satisfied with drug store make up, especially being a little short with cash. There is nothing wrong with drug store make up, however, when a woman’s skin is more mature, I’ve noticed that using more professional make up can make a huge difference.
Q: What feature(s) do you love to accentuate?
A: I love to accentuate the eyes. It is the window to a person’s soul and also the first thing you notice when you look at someone.
Q: What are your steps for the perfect, flawless, natural look?
A: On a clean face, first apply a lightweight moisturizer. Follow with pore minimizer or primer lotion. If needed, use a little concealer under the eyes and on red spots. Dust eye lids with a neutral or beige eye shadow. Follow with a coat of mascara and setting powder.
Q: What is a really quick way to change a day look to a special occasion or nighttime face?
A: Add just a little more bronzer, darken your lipstick, contour your eye shadow with a darker shade, and add some black eye liner.
Q: What are the differences between applying makeup on models and on real women?
A: Models are under very strong lights, so therefore, make up is always going to be much heavier on a model. When applying make up to real women, it is best to stay more natural.
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 actually enjoy using all 3, depending on the occasion. Pencil can be used for everyday and also for smudging. Liquid adds more depth and darkens the eye area more. And creme, gel can be used for a long day.
Q: Lip gloss or Lipstick. Which product is best? Why?
A: Lip gloss. It adds more shine and youth go any face. Lipstick can sometimes be too harsh, especially on a more mature woman’s face.
Q: What should a client consider before deciding to try permanent makeup? What is the difference between permanent and semi-permanent makeup?
A: Permanent make up is usually tattooed on. This needs to be taken into very strong consideration, as it is forever.
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 am a huge fan of the new eye brightener concealer by Benefit. I use that with MAC’s select cover up to hide dark circles.
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: Air brush make up is fabulous for professional photographs. It covers the pores and makes for a flawless finish. I wouldn’t recommend it for everyday, as it is a bit heavy and very done up.
Q: What do your clients think of you? What are some individual testimonials?
A: My clients are very pleased with me as a make up artist. I’ve gotten several recommendations and have been booked for several up coming weddings just by word of mouth.
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: Where there is a will, there is a way. If you want something bad enough, you will not let anything get in your way of your dreams. No matter the cost or the obstacle. ANYTHING is possible.
Q: What tips and advice do you have for aspiring makeup artists just starting out?
A: Practice Practice Practice! And take lots of pictures!
