Interview With Orlando Make-up Artist Virginia Arth

Enjoy the following entertaining, professional and information rich interview with Orlando, Florida based make-up artist Virginia Arth.

Q: Tell a little about yourself personally and if you attended school or you are a self taught makeup artist?
A: I am a free soul, Very positive and eccentric! Love working with people and making them feel better about themselves. I have been trained through Lancome Cosmetics in their skincare, makeup artistry and business manager classes.

Q: Do you think going to school for make-up artistry is important to excel in the business later on?
A: Knowledge is power, however, if you have the passion and natural talent anything is possible!! If you cant attend a school due to certain life circumstances you have all the knowledge you need from educating yourself with books!

Q: Did you always want 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 have ALWAYS wanted to be a makeup artist! As a young girl, I realized that I had a talent and I loved making people feel beautiful. Kevin Accoin always inspired me with his ability to transform people!

Q: What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?
A: The many people who I get to meet! Everyone is brought into our lives for a reason, even if its just so that I can bring them Happiness for a hour :)

Q: What surprises you most about working as a makeup artist?
A: Too Hard to answer! Everyday is filled with surprises!

Q: Describe your “Classic Approach to Beauty.” how do you define beauty?
A: Beauty is a woman loving and embracing herself, with all her flaws. Beauty is confidence and putting your “best face” out there…Looking the best that you can!

Q: What individual products and brands you’re “addicted” to at the moment and you use on a daily basis?
A: I love Estee Lauder Double wear foundation. Only foundation Ive found that stays 100% perfect all day, I love Lancomes Oscillation mascara best in the world!

Q: What are some of the most basic but effective skin care tips in general that you have, that are really important?
A: I am a strong believer in exfoliating. Not overboard. With a gentle exfoliater, Lancome has great ones, 3 to 4 times a week, preferably at night.

Q: What is the biggest skin care dont’s?
A: Please, Please don’t EVER rub or tug at the delicate skin around your eyes! I’ve seen so many women, remove there eye makeup and if they were degreasing a Frying pan … NOT GOOD :)

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: While working in a retirement community, I had a very glamorous, soon to find, mentally ill, lady in her 70s who applied almost every item of makeup from a tester unit from a counter that I was working at. Lipsticks
on top of lipsticks … Blush on top of blush..When I walked over to approach her, I noticed she had written something with lipstick onto a hand-held mirror … Let’s just say it had something to do with a mans anatomy. Haha

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: Some women use a lot of foundation to try to cover up their skin. or sometimes not enough :) To have your greatest skin, you must have a consistent skincare routine. So many women think that by slapping a cream on at night, once a week, there wrinkles will be cured, doesn’t quite work that way…Wish it did :)

Q: What do you think are best/worst trends in the makeup / skin care industry right now?
A: Best Trends: For summer I love the bronzes,coppers,golds,corals…Love a bright,bold mouth. I don’t mind trends, but, Its all about finding the colors that best suit you. Grabbing ideas from current trends….now that’s a good idea!

Q: Do teenage girls needs to splurge on high-priced makeup products, or are drugstore items are just as satisfactory?
A: Depends of what the Individual wants.. Department store Foundation and Mascara are two things that definitely differ from the drugstore. But most teenage girls don’t need foundation.

Q: What feature(s) do you love to accentuate?
A: Skin first, Then eyes. If someone has glowing flawless skin, its a major plus.

Q: What are your steps for the perfect, flawless, natural look?
A: Less is ALWAYS more! Sheer tinted moisturizer, always blush, mascara, groomed brows, gloss, I am a fan of makeup though… :)

Q: What is a really quick way to change a day look to a special occasion or nighttime face?
A: Definitely eyeliner…or a bolder mouth..

Q: What are the differences between applying makeup on models and on real women?
A: Hard Question! Nothing. Perhaps on models you can be a little more creative, but its always about fiding the right amount and colors for the individual.

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: For myself I love the Liquid. Only for the top lid, never underneath, much too harsh. Most woman look best in pencil, can be applied soft and natural or more dark and dramatic.

Q: Lip gloss or Lipstick. Which product is best? Why?
A: I’m just a big fan of lipsticks. Especially as one ages, glosses can tend to bleed, Lancome has a Lipstick formula called L’Absolue Rouge which is to die for! For $30.00 dollars a tube, you can have 6 hour hydration,
Sun protection of spf 12, non-feathering, fuller, replenished lips. Definitely a Fav in my books.

Q: What should a client consider before deciding to try permanent makeup? What is the difference between permanent and semi-permanent makeup?
A: Permant makeup can be a little scary sometimes…Ive seen blue brows, uneven lips, I suggest taking the extra five mintues every morning to apply yourself. Your face changes over time, what looks good now, might not in 5 years…

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: Estee Lauder Double wear concealer..Huge fan, stays perfect for hours…

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: They are definitely not easier. I think women are attracted to the idea of it, but, If you can find the perfect foundation formula for you, I think you’re better of with either a foundation brush, for a fuller, smoother application, or a sponge for more sheer. Only thing with sponges, they need to be tossed or washed with an antibacterial cleanser to prevent breakouts.

Q: What do your clients think of you? What are some individual testimonials?
A: The best compliments are being told that they can tell how honest I am. And that I love what I do :) Once your a client of mine, always a client of mine :)

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: ABSOLUTELY! Always think with a positive attitude! Always be kind to others! Your life and all of its daily actions are a result of who you are and how you feel about yourself. You get back what you give:) I would love to have my own cosmetics line one day.

Q: What tips and advice do you have for aspiring makeup artists just starting out?
A: Find out what your REAL passion is, your dreams (if anything was possible) Because IT IS!!! Believe in yourself! And climb the ladder to success step by step! Thanks for letting me share, Love and Peace, Love and Peace! Muah!

Visit Virginia’s MySpace profile.

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