Phoebe Dawson Professional Fashion Make-up Artist Interview
January 30, 2009
Informative interview from the New Zealand native Phoebe Dawson, a very talented professional fashion makeup artist who is currently residing in Los Angeles.
Q: Tell a little about yourself personally and if you attended school or you are a self taught makeup artist?
A: I am a kiwi! From New Zealand, I then moved to Australia and Studied at The Make up Technicians and now I am currently living in Los Angeles.
Q: Do you think going to school for make-up artistry is important to excel in the business later on?
A: Yes I think it helps, But I found the best way to learn is on the job assisting other amazingly talented Make up Artists and learning from them 1st hand.
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 decided when I was about 13 that I wanted to be a Make up Artist. Because its creative, fun, challenging, no two days are the same!, you can travel the world, meet amazing people and get paid good money.
Q: What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?
A: Meeting some amazing people, traveling, being creative and being challenged.
Q: Describe your “Classic Approach to Beauty.” how do you define beauty?
A: I think every one has their own definition of beauty. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Everyone is beautiful in their own way.
Q: What individual products and brands you’re “addicted” to at the moment and you use on a daily basis?
A: The Make up Store!, Make up ForEver and many more, I love trying new products as well.
Q: What are some of the most basic but effective skin care tips in general that you have, that are really important?
A: To eat healthy, exercise and get enough sleep. Facials are amazing as well and I LOVE individual lashes and cherry chap stick.
Q: What is the biggest skin care dont’s?
A: Don’t wear Make up to bed, Make sure you have the right foundation colour. Don’t over do it.
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: Not that I can think of I probably wore too much mascara in high school though.
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: Not look after it.
Q: What do you think are best/worst trends in the makeup / skin care industry right now?
A: Paw paw ointment for your lips and anywhere dry is amazing! Individual lashes, (I sometimes put a few at the outer corners of my eyes.), a touch of Bronzer is always flattering.
Q: Do teenage girls needs to splurge on high-priced makeup products, or are drugstore items are just as satisfactory?
A: Drugstore is ok but for foundation and skin care products they are better to spend a bit more money on.
Q: What feature(s) do you love to accentuate?
A: Eyes, they are the window to your sole. :p
Q: What are your steps for the perfect, flawless, natural look?
A: Light clean even base of foundation, highlight cheek bones and brows, sweep a light bronzy shadow across lids with either cream or powder shadow, a little peach/bronze blush on cheeks, mascara, and a nice neutral lip gloss.
Q: What is a really quick way to change a day look to a special occasion or nighttime face?
A: Smudge some dark grey, drown or black shadow around the outer corners of eyes with a eyeshadow brush and line the outer corner with liner and blend well.
Q: What are the differences between applying makeup on models and on real women?
A: Every individual person is different.
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 use black eyeshadow as eyeliner a lot because it stays on forever and is great to smudge.
Q: Lip gloss or Lipstick. Which product is best? Why?
A: It depends on what look you are going for. I prefer gloss because if you are eating, drinking, running around lip stick is harder to maintain and keep perfect and is a lot stronger.
Q: What should a client consider before deciding to try permanent makeup? What is the difference between permanent and semi-permanent makeup?
A: That it is permanent and they should be very sure before going ahead. Semi permanent fades and only lasts a certain amount of time and permanent is there for good, Like a tattoo.
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 really like cinema secrets, Laura Mercier and the Make up Store.
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 do air brush so I can’t really say but I Love foundation brushes! They are so easy and quick to use!
Q: What do your clients think of you? What are some individual testimonials?
A: Friendly, very Gentle, good at listening, Creative, Professional.
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: Carpe Diem!, I want to always grow, learn new skills and challenge myself, I would love to travel more, to New York and work in Europe.
Q: What tips and advice do you have for aspiring makeup artists just starting out?
A: Never give up, Always be professional, be patient as it is a hard and competitive field to break into.
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.
