How has coming to America helped you in the achievement of from your career dream?
Coming to the U.S. to become a full-time makeup artist has helped me in so many ways; starting with the ability to work with all of the good makeup available in the U.S. that I couldn’t find in my country and that really helped me improve. I have found that in my pursuit of being a makeup artist, there are so many opportunities to get more knowledge and develop new techniques. It is amazing how much the makeup industry has grown in the last couple of years and that has inspired me to continue to improve my skills and develop into a true artist.
What barriers and/or challenges do you have to overcome in order to live out your dream on a full-time basis?
The primary challenge that I have to overcome in order to be a full-time makeup artist is the competition. Here in the U.S., and more specifically in Miami, there are so many good makeup artists. The supply of artists is greater than the demand. I have worked hard to improve, invest in better makeup supplies, learn from some of the best in the industry, spend time perfecting my technique, and utilizing social media such as ads on Facebook and Instagram to publicize my talent. I think that if I keep doing all of this with passion, it’s going to lead to the opportunity to be a full-time makeup artist.
When did you know you had a gift for makeup artistry?
Ever since I can remember, when my parents would ask what I wanted as a gift for my birthday, I would tell them that I wanted makeup.
I remember how getting a gift of makeup made me feel inspired,
passionate, and happy. My mother saw how makeup made me feel and at the
age of 7 years old, she put me in painting class. Then when I was a
teenager, I started experimenting with real makeup. I would do my makeup
and all my friends’ makeup. At the age of 16 someone asked me “how
much is your fee to do my makeup; I have a wedding to attend”. At that moment, I knew that I could turn my passion into a career.
“At that moment, I knew that I could turn my passion into a career”.
Who has influenced you the most to pursue a makeup career?
There are two makeup artists that have influenced me. The first one is
Carli Bybel. I discovered her through YouTube when I was 16 years old
and I wanted to learn how to do makeup for my high school prom. Since
that moment, I started following her and watching all of her videos. She
inspires me because she persisted throughout the years and eventually
made herself into a brand with the design of 2 palettes with
BHCosmetics. She also partnered with clothing lines and her YouTube
channel has grown to 6.1 Million subscribers. I could mention so many
more names in the industry that have influenced me, but the other makeup
artist that is my favorite is Dedivanovic, Kim Kardashian’s makeup
artist. I watched “Keeping up with the Kardashians” and wondered who was
their makeup artist? Once I found out his name, I wanted to recreate
every look he made. Up until now, he is my biggest inspiration and I
desire to create looks as good as his creations.
How have you evolved as an artist in the past 3 years with the ever changing makeup trends?
I would say that 3 years ago everything was about the cut-crease, thick
eyebrows, and heavy foundation and contour. I was inspired by the makeup
revolution that took place on Instagram, but now I feel that I have
toned down all of that and I concentrate on enhancing one’s natural
beauty with less makeup and improved blending skills. My focus now is to
create a better version of my client, not a different version.
What advice would you give to an up and coming artist?
I would say trust your passion first because that is going to lead you to wanting to be better, learn more, and eventually be successful. Also, help other makeup artists because in helping others, you are also getting knowledge about new techniques and perspective. I would suggest that set goals at the beginning of every year as to what steps you are going to complete to help you reach your career objectives in time.
Eva Willet – Instagram @makeupevawillet