Interview With Make-up Artist And Image Consultant Melissa Geriah
May 16, 2009
Enjoy the following interview with Malibu, CA based professional make-up artist and image consultant Melissa Geriah.
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: I believe it came to me as a natural born instinct.
Q: Tell a little about yourself personally and if you attended school or you are a self taught makeup artist?
A: I am a self taught make up artist and also attended Joe Blasco’s school of make up in Hollywood.
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.
Visit Melissa’s Oracle Salon homepage and her MySpace profile.
Participating in my makeup artist interview series is open to members and non-members of my FREE Fashion Industry Directory by way of this makeup artist self interview Q&A form.
Self interview questions are also available for other professionals, visit my Photographer Interview and Hair Stylist Interview pages and use the contact form to submit your answers.
