Francesco Riva of Naples Italy – 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: I have over 20 year experience in the entertainment and beauty industry as professional make-up artist and of course I attended some course but the most I did by myself.
Q: Do you think going to school for make-up artistry is important to excel in the business later on?
A: Yes for the basics but to see others working it makes you understand how to do it!!!
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: Yes since I was very young and then I started to work by chance with a photographer who encouraged me and showed my works around and likely everybody liked it so I started to have important calls.
Q: What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?
A: Getting the opportunity of changing the way somebody looks from one extreme to the other is so fan!
Q: What surprises you most about working as a makeup artist?
A: That celebs are just like us……we are all human!!!!!
Q: What are some of the most basic but effective skin care tips in general that you have, that are really important?
A: 1) invest in brushes, they make so much difference 2) Take good care of your skin.
Q: What do you find to be the most common mistakes women make with makeup?
A: The biggest mistake a woman makes is layering on too much foundation. The less is more…keep it simple
Q: What feature(s) do you love to accentuate and why?
A: Lashes, lashes, lashes are the most important part of defining your eyes.
Q: What are the differences between applying makeup on models and on real women?
A: To the real women I can show how to highlight their “undiscovered” beauty! The Models are paid for it !!!
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: Follow your dreams don’t give up and don’t stop, be kind and thankful, and people will want to help you!
Q: What tips and advice do you have for aspiring makeup artists just starting out?
A: Start to do some free test shooting with models, you’ll learn so much more than any school will teach. But of course you’ll need a make-up class or school.
Visit Francesco’s professional makeup artist homepage.
I love your work, thank you for the motivation. For me I know that getting noticed is the hardest part of the make up industry.