Category Archives: Inspired

INSPIRED: DAMONE ROBERTS

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How did you get your start in the beauty industry?
I sketched a charcoal image of Diana Ross in high school and it won first place out of all 50 States, which allowed me the opportunity to study for a Semester at Rutgers University under all the great art teachers. One day the makeup crew didn’t show
up for the Drama Dept. and the teacher asked us to step in after explaining to us that painting a canvas and face are basically the same things. Looking back I now realize that this was my intro into the beauty industry. First makeup job was at a counter for
Fashion Fair and then I graduated to MAC in the late ’90s. From there I went on to do brows at Anastasia where she personally taught me about balance and structure.

Do you approach working with a celebrity differently than working on other clients?
Actually, I don’t. I treat all my clients with respect. I think it’s your birthright as a human being. My staff and my celebrities always tease me because I have no idea who anyone is, and haven’t seen most of their projects. I’ve been busy building my own dreams. It’s a lot of work running your own company. I remember saying one night at closing to the Continue reading →

INSPIRED: MIMI CHOI

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How did you get your start in makeup?
After graduating from university, I worked as a Montessori preschool teacher. While I still love working with children, I felt that I wasn’t completely myself because I had to act and dress a certain way. I’ve always been a very expressive person and adventurous with my fashion, so I felt that side of me was being suppressed. As an outlet and creative release, I’d paint intricate designs on my nails when I got off work. After three years as a preschool instructor and with the encouragement of my family, I decided to pursue my passion and enroll at Blanche

Macdonald Centre here in Vancouver at the age of 28. During my first Halloween as a student, I tried my first illusion which was a cracked face look using only a black and white liner. I received a lot of positive feedback and many people recreated my look on social media which inspired me to further explore this style.

Did you start out as a creative artist or were you focused on more traditional means of artistry in your early career?
I did every style of makeup as part of the Global Makeup Program at Blanche Macdonald including beauty, fashion, and prosthetics. Illusion makeup was something that I explored during my free time because it was intriguing to me and I felt that it was a style that would elevate other aspects of my artistry.

So many artists have been inspired by your work and have tried their hand at your style of artistry. Is that a blessing or a curse to have others copy your energy and designs?
I am flattered that artists enjoy my work enough to recreate it and I’m humbled to know Continue reading →

INSPIRED BY: DICK PAGE

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How did you get your start in makeup?
As a teenager in England me and my friends got into doing each other’s makeup and hair, and making outfits from stuff we bought at jumble sales to wear to see bands or go to clubs. I started looking at magazines like i-D and The Face and realized it could be a fun thing to try and do for REAL (Ha!). Maybe it’s because of this that I prefer the homemade, DIY feeling of shoots that feel spontaneous and improvised. Every mood board and pre-meeting is a little death to the creativity, I think.

If you weren’t in makeup, what do you think you’d be doing?
I have no idea what I’d be doing. I hope something creative and fun. I did all kinds of regular jobs before doing this for a living, and none were fun exactly, but I met some cool people.

You’ve had a long, high-profile and diverse career in makeup What do you think gives you and your work that longevity?
I think it’s because, while I have certain things that I’m known for, I’m pretty adaptable and not too precious about it. I have range and I can turn my hand to most things. I like collaborating with different people and trying new stuff, and it doesn’t hurt that I can work fast and get the job done!

As one of the most innovative artists in makeup, how do you find new and unique ways to express yourself in your work?
Thank you! Every job is different, even if some of the elements or other people involved are the same. Each job has its own specific structure and requirements, you need to Continue reading →

INSPIRED BY: KABUKI

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How did you first develop an interest in make up?
Growing up in the ‘70s and early ‘80s, it would be hard not to develop an interest in make-up. When I was around 11, I found a big picture book on David Bowie at the library and I saw photos of the New Romantics from London at around the same time. The mix of future shock and nostalgia for an imaginary past inhabited by Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo. This became my initial motivation.

You are well known for your extraordinary creative artistry but you have an incredible body of work in beauty as well. Is there one type of work that you find more satisfying?
To quote Judy Garland,“You give the people what they want and then go buy yourself a hamburger.” I’m kidding, but there is some truth to that in the way that you should be flexible and do the make-up that’s appropriate for the project. The satisfaction comes from doing the best version of that work you can and in a relatively short amount of time so the energy at the shoot doesn’t go down.

What is the most challenging thing about being so innovative in your artistry? Do you feel the need to reinvent your work regularly?
It’s good to explore beyond your comfort zone. There’s a lot of making it up as you go along. It’s also important to know when to stop. Working with talented models, hair stylists performers, photographers and fashion stylists provide an atmosphere where Continue reading →

INSPIRED: RYAN BURKE ARTISTIC MUSE FOR THEM

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We are in constant awe and inspired by the talented makeup artist, photographer and Pat McGrath ambassador, Ryan Burke. So when we saw this feature he did for them (This Makeup Transformation Is WILD — But Don’t You Dare Call It “Drag”), we had to share. His work truly unique, and to get a view into how he meticulously creates these pieces of art is fascinating. For those who were lucky to catch Ryan at The Artist Summit 2017, they got personal insight into his journey as an artist, and how he comes up with his creations. Check out the full featured video from them below and we hope you and your work is as inspired as we are by Ryan’s talent.  Don’t forget to also check out the piece from the Fall 2016 issue of On Makeup Magazine we did on Ryan, Inspired: Ryan Burke.


video courtesy of: them.

INSPIRED: THE INSTAGRAM OF JORDAN LIBERTY

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We are continuously inspired by the ever talented makeup artist, photographer, educator and creative director Jordan Liberty. His body of work speaks for itself and has been featured in various magazines, like our very own On Makeup Magazine, Allure, Glamour, and W Magazine, to name a few. Jordan’s work can also be seen across various makeup campaigns like those for Anastasia Beverly Hills and Urban Decay.

Jordan Liberty has the ability to make skin not only look flawless, but like skin, naturally retouched and unblurred. And a lot of the iconic images are a result of not only his talent as a makeup artist, but also being the driving creative force behind each beauty story. From the initial concept, to the wardrobe, the nails, and the photography. We hope you are as inspired as we are by some of Jordan’s images below and work as a whole. Also be sure to check out Jordan’s Profile focus from our Spring 2016 issue to learn how he got his start in this industry and what continues to both challenge him and inspire him as an artist. @jordanliberty | www.jordanliberty.com

Don’t miss Jordan Liberty’s upcoming program Beauty for Photography with The Powder Group on December 11, 2017 in LA!

 

INSPIRED BY JAMES GAGER

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As Sr. Vice President and Creative Director for MAC Cosmetics since 1999, James Gager has helped to craft the development of the brand on a level that few could truly imagine. For the better part of two decades, he has been a part of the introduction to the line of hundreds upon hundreds of new products, collections and partnerships. His watchful eye has overseen countless creative decisions from package and store design to in-store photography and helping choose the company’s Viva Glam spokespersons — a program that has helped raise more tens of millions of dollars for the MAC AIDS Fund supporting those living with HIV/AIDS.

James’ keen eye for texture and color has influenced makeup trends across the world and now, since 2016 when he first joined Instagram, his global view on these elemental aspects of design have been on view for all to see – and find inspiration in.

What is most important about an image to you?
An image is different than a photograph. An image for me has to have a larger idea than just taking a shot with a camera. It’s composed, has emotion to it, relates to the person taking it, and hopefully provides a connection to the viewer on some level.

And what about texture? You seem to play with it a lot in your images.
When I first decided to join Instagram, I wanted to share my  Continue reading →

INSPIRED: THE INSTAGRAM OF DANESSA MYRICKS

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The uber talented Danssa Myricks —  Pro Makeup Artist, Global Educator, Mixologist, Photographer and Product Developer. Her approach to beauty, is quite distinct and offer up a unique perspective in beauty industry. One look at her body of work on instagram ignites the creative ambition in each of us.  Danessa’s unique style and approach to beauty has given her the opportunity to work with a broad range of clients in the makeup, music, print, tv and trade show industries. Her work has appeared in publications such as Vibe, Essence, Teen People, Today’s Black Woman and a host of national and International Beauty Publications. While her brush has touched the faces of many well known celebrity clientele such as Madonna, Britney Spears, Chris Rock, Allison Williams and more.

Along with Danessa’s role as co-creator with global beauty brands like Kiss and her on-going role as Director of Product Innovation at Benefit Cosmetics, she also heads up her own brand Danessa Myricks Beatuy, and Elevation Lashes. “A  global beauty blend of professional insight and wearable cosmetics available to every makeup devotee on the planet.” We hope Danessa’s images and work inspire you as much as they have inspired us. @danessa_myricks | www.danessamyricksbeauty.com

Danessa Myricks will be a keynote speaker at The Artist Summit 2017, the year’s most inspirational pro-focused event. www.theartistsummit.com

Photos Courtesy of: @danessa_myricks 

INSPIRED: GERALD DECOCK

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I first met Gerald DeCock across the bar at our favorite haunt, Le Singe Vert. The spot has become the go-to hang out over the years for many of us in the neighborhood and Gerald is one of those regulars. He is the kind of person one notices – dashingly handsome and silver bearded, stylishly eclectic and always put together in that effortless way that I have always envied in those who could carry it off. Gerald is the kind of person that one immediately knows is definitely “a somebody.” One of those somebodies who do things, many things…important and fabulous things.

Having dinner at the bar next to Gerald one night around a year ago, my husband Brad and I finally, properly introduced ourselves. The three of us struck up a conversation and we learned that Gerald was Continue reading →

INSPIRED: RYAN BURKE

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How did you first develop an interest in makeup?
My interest in makeup came from my friends and nightlife when I lived in LA. When I started going to clubs I wanted to dress up and do looks but I didn’t know a thing about makeup so I developed a style comprised mostly of glued on elements to decorate my face. In the meantime, I slowly taught myself different techniques starting with eyeliner and blocking out brows. I didn’t pursue it much beyond what was needed to do simple graphic designs because I had no intention of becoming a makeup artist, it was all just for fun. I was more serious about photography which inspired me to do self portraits as a way of documenting my looks. It wasn’t until I moved to New York that I got more involved in makeup.

Do you have an art background other than makeup?
I do. I grew up in an artistic family and I majored in studio art in college. There wasn’t a Continue reading →