From our Fall 2016 issue Spotlight: Carl Ray Makeup Artist to Michelle Obama. Carl’s flawless and iconic work speaks for itself, and we were fortunate to get a chance to sit down with him and get the inside scoop. Carl told us how he got his start in makeup, his experience working with and what he does when he’s not on-call with the first lady and much more! Check out the full interview below and don’t miss our A Few Questions With series also featuring Carl Ray during The Artist Summit 2017.

Be sure not to miss a chance to learn and get hands-on experience with Carl at The Powder Group program coming up in Chicago, August 6, 2018. Making Up with Carl Ray. For details and registration visit thepowdergroup.com

How did you get started in makeup?
I found my passion for makeup when I was 14 years old. My parents were going through a divorce, and I would watch my mom applying her makeup for work and for her new life in the dating scene. That’s when I got the makeup bug. I asked my mom if I could help her with her makeup application because I thought I could do it better than she did. She said yes. I could see the confidence and happiness that my makeup application was bringing her and that sparked my passion and purpose. I have always viewed myself as an artist and deeply connected to not only the creative process of makeup but the direct impact that it has on women’s confidence and self image.

Tell me about your experience working with the First Lady.
I had been working in Washington for years before I began working with the First Lady. I had grown my clientele to include political figures and VIPs who were local and also thosevisiting from across the country and around the world. I remember being super excited, and a bit nervous, the first time I Continue reading →