FAQ

Something I get asked ALL the time is, "What type of makeup do you like best?". This question is so hard for me to answer! I love makeup. It's not that I love doing beauty makeup or stage makeup or special FX, I love it all! Makeup makes me feel complete. It fulfills my urge for creativity and I get to make people happy everyday! What could be better than that? I feel like I am doing exactly what I was meant to do. It's pretty cool. I have never felt like that before.

I do beauty makeup most commonly. I think most MUA's do. Weddings, photoshoots, grads etc... usually call for beauty makeup. I really enjoy doing beauty makeup, in fact, when I went to makeup school, I thought I would be a beauty makeup artist. I will always do beauty makeup no matter which direction my career takes me.

Special FX. I have a special place in my heart for special FX. I would love to focus on special FX and work side by side with a team of FX artists and fabricators in the long run. That is what truly satisfies me. I adore doing the blood and gore and making it look so realistic that sometimes people gag (sorry). I love creature FX as well. I haven't gotten into it as much as would like to yet but I am working on it. Silicone makes me happy.

Stage makeup, body painting and costume makeup. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! The crazier the better! Halloween is my favorite time of year because I get to use all types of makeup to create the perfect character. My clients are thrilled with the outcome and it makes me feel wonderful. Fashion shows, and stage perfomances are great too because the heavier, the better. The people in the back row have to see the makeup as well. Body painting is new to me but I am loving every minute of it. I get an entire body as my canvas instead of just a face!

So now that I have said the word, "Love," a million times I think you get the picture. I LOVE makeup!!!! I really really LOVE makeup and hey, I love the people I get to work with too! it is a total win, win!

I hope you enjoyed reading and follow me on my path to one day becoming a successful makeup and FX artist!!!!  ;0)

Ashly Mckessock
In Your Face

Me: Becoming a successful makeup artist

At this point in my career, I would say that I am moderately successful. I am starting to develop my name and reputation in my home town, I am professional and I am starting to earn back the money that I have invested into my business so far. There is so much further I would like to go and so much more I would like to learn and achieve. I want to (and truly believe I will) go ALL the way! From an outrside point of view, I may not even be moderately succesful yet, but on the road to getting there. I believe I am at that point right now because if you would have asked me three years ago if I would have even made it this far in my makeup carreer, I would have laughed. It has taken a lot of hard work, dedication, mistakes, money and tears but I think I am finally on the path that I have been dreaming of since I was a little girl watching Michael Jackson music videos. Things are finally falling into place.

I have learned a few very important things along the way so far. First and foremost, as a makeup artist, or any type of artist in this industry, you have to be talented. A person can not just wing it and think they are going to be become famous or successful for no reason. That only works for Paris Hilton, unfortunatley. This industry can cause a lot of heart ache and everyone is always watching and judging. You have to have a thick skin and wear it like a pro. Don't take it personnaly. Most people are either giving their honest opinions to help you to improve for future endeavours or they are just jealous. In the case of the jealous individuals, you can usually tell if they are being antagonistic and just brush it off and move on. The third important thing I have learned is, EVERYONE has a 'limited budget'. Hate to break it to you but nothing is free. No one should get anything for nothing and that should be very clear before starting in this industry. I have lost far too much because I have been far too nice. Of course negotiating and trades are one thing but working for free is unacceptable and it shouldn't even be asked of anyone to do so.

So, those are my words of advice for now. Be talented/learn all you can, be strong and confident, and don't let people walk all over you.

Thanks for reading!

Have a Beautiful day!

In Your Face Makeup Artistry by Ashly Mckessock