Where were you born?
I was born in Chonburi, Thailand, and moved to Los Angeles in 1980 when I was 10 years old.
Where do you live now?
I live in Los Angeles but got a suitcase that is willing to roll to locations.
What’s your sign?
You’re getting fresh with me??? Taurus
When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Growing up I always wanted a career in front of the camera as an actor. I did all the acting classes, etc. but ended with a successful career as a dancer.
How did that transpose into makeup artistry? How did you get your start in makeup?
I was injured as a dancer, had some lower back problems. During the recovery process, I was extremely bored. There was a catalogue that used to come to my house from an occupational center called Learning Tree University. They had a makeup class that was being offered, and I thought it would be a fun way to occupy my time. I was going to it for fun, but it was not a career choice. I actually discovered that I liked it, and totally enjoyed the creative side of it.
If you hadn’t gotten into makeup what do you think you’d be doing right now?
Just like everyone else my mind changes all the time. I think if I wans’t in makeup, I would have gone into Entertainment Law. I love the art of business and negotiations.
How did you know that the makeup artist industry was where you wanted to be?
I didn’t know I wanted to be in the makeup industry at all. Even though I went to school for it, makeup was not something I was pursuing. I did some shoots for the fun of it, and found out that I actually liked it. So in trying to maneuver and start to work as a makeup artist, I was so green, I cold called the biggest agency in beauty, Cloutier Agency, and got lots of amazing advice from Madeline Leonard.
What was your first memorable work as an artist?
All my jobs are memorable, but I would have to say my first memorable job was when I was hired for Janet Jackson’s Velvet Rope Tour in 1998. That was the job that took me around the world and launched my career.
What are the things about working in makeup that you love?
I love seeing the transformation. I love using conventional products to do makeup. I love the travel that this career has afforded me.
What are the things about your work that makes it the most interesting to you?
The most interesting to me is the teamwork. Having a meeting about the looks, to make sure the final look is great. There’s a push and pull that we all have to do to make sure that the look is conducive and nothing competes with each other.
What are the challenges you face working as a freelance artist?
Having to make sure you have health care and getting paid when freelancing. The studios have net 30, net 60, net 90 and now there’s net 180 meaning that you might not get pay for a job that you did for six months.
Was there ever a time when you thought you’d give up?
Giving up has never entered into my mind, taking a nice long break definitely. I am very fortunate that I work on a constant basis, but it does get tiring so you need to take time for yourself.
What should someone who is looking to develop a career in makeup know before getting into the business?
There’s a lot of hard work, and a long road ahead of you. Don’t compare where you’re at in your career with someone else. Continue learning. The more knowledge you have, the more valuable you are.
What are some of the most important qualities that a makeup artist can have?
Honesty: Don’t say you can do something when you can’t. Willingness to learn: Always grow never stop learning. Be a team player: Remember not everything is about you. Ultimately your client’s final look for the shoot, red carpet, etc. is what matters. Cleanliness: Make sure your kit is clean and sanitized after each project. Dress the part: Look professional.
What makes you a good makeup artist?
I think what makes people want to work with me is my ability to listen to what my clients want. I don’t just put the same face on everyone. I do my research to find out what their signature look is and do slight adjustments, but still keeping them in mind. Also, I like to have fun, and that translates to a fun day. And of course my TWERKING…
How do you continue to grow as an artist?
I love learning, meeting new artists, and getting inspired by them. I have been known to take months off and go back to makeup school to brush up on my skills, especially on things that I am rusty at due to the fact that I don’t get to do it a lot. I actually took two months off and went to MUDD in Burbank, and took their Special Effects Application class. And the next project I worked on was Nope, and everything that I brushed up on came into play on that movie.
What has changed most about the industry in the time that you’ve been working in makeup?
The changes I have noticed in the makeup industry have been the products are becoming more idiot-proof. I don’t have to do as much mixing, it definitely makes my job easier. I also see that some artists expect to advance forward without actually doing the work. I have seen the entitlement that comes with both newer artists and older artists. One is the wants and the other is to keep.
How has social media affected your career or work?
I have a love and hate relationship with social media. I hate spending time posting and trying to come up with creative and witty hashtags. The thing that I love about social media is that it connects me to creative artists around the world. I love doing research on social media, and seeing all the creativity on there.
Do you have a signature style?
I don’t know if it’s a signature style but most of my clients love that I make skin look like skin. I worked with Peter Lindbergh and one thing he said to me was that he loves seeing skin on his subjects through his camera lens. That phrase really stuck with me and I keep it close to my heart in my career.
What type of work do you find most satisfying?
I know it’s such a cliche answer but I love it all from campaign to red carpet to movies to fantasy, to period work. But I have always leaned toward period projects.
Do you have a project that you’ve done that you are especially proud of?
I think my firsts are what I’m most proud of. The first magazine shoot I did was with Charlize Theron back in the mid-90s. My first concert tour with Janet Jackson on The Velvet Rope Tour. My first union job as Janet Jackson’s personal for Nutty Professor 2: The Klump, and my first job as a Department Head on Dreamgirls.
Do you ever get stuck creatively?
If any artists tell you that they do not get struck creatively, they are lying. It comes with the territory. I just have to start taking a deep breath and stop listening to all the noise around me, especially when I’m on a shoot from other creatives. Just let your mind be free and keep your hands moving. You’d be surprised when that happens, some of the most creative looks happens.
What project did you have the most fun working on? What project was the most challenging?
Every project I have had the honor to be a part of are both fun and challenging. But I think the one that comes to mind is Dreamgirls. It was my first studio department heading project so I did put a lot of pressure on myself. I love doing period films and this was the ultimate. When we shot the performances, the team had to get about 20 main cast, and 350 background. When I work on a period film, my rule is to have the people who were around during that era say I remember doing that, and have the younger generation say I want to emulate that.
But with all the hard work that we did on Dreamgirls, we were watching Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, Eddie Murphy, Keith Robinson, the rest of the cast, and dancers perform almost every day. We would have a dance party on a constant basis. I got to dress in drag and performed for the cast and crew, then was asked to be in the movie during One Night Only the disco version.
Do you prefer one type of work to another?
As an artist that works across all genres from red carpet, editorials, to film and TV, I love doing it all. I prefer to work on projects that allow me to be creative.
What would your clients say is the best thing about working with you?
Twerking! My clients love it when I start dancing. It’s just a tension releaser, and it relaxes everyone on the set. I especially love it when it turns into a dance party.
Is there someone you have always wanted to work on who you haven’t had the chance to do yet?
When I first started my career in makeup, I put a wish list of people I would love to work on and with. I am very fortunate to have worked with about 70% of the people on that list. Some of the of people I would still love to get my hands on are Madonna, Michelle Yeoh, Mary J Blige, Cindy Crawford, Lady Gaga, Danielle Brooks, Beyoncé, Zendaya, Natalie Portman, Margot Robbie, Taylor Swift
What inspires you?
I get my inspiration from everything, but I love looking at art and photography. I love looking at previous iconic makeup and update it to fit my clients and make what I feel is current.
Whose work do you admire?
I have so many artists that I admire. I love the artists that move me and make me feel something. A little jealousy maybe, that I wish I would have thought of creating that look. I love the creativity of Pat McGrath, Roshar, Erin Parsons. I love the finished look of Sam Fine, Sir John, Nick Barose, Hung Vanngo, Gucci Westman, Sheika Daley, Priscilla Ono. For film and TV, I love Eryn Krueger Mekash, Ve Neill, Bill Corso, Rick Baker, Michelle Chung Aiello, Howard Berger and so many more.
What’s next for you?
Have been taking a few meetings for projects. But for sure I have Captain America: Brave New World coming out in 2025.
What’s next for you?
Have been taking a few meetings for projects. But for sure I have Captain America: Brave New World coming out in 2025.
Words Michael DeVellis
Photos Courtesy of Tym Buacharern
Ty m Portrait Shanya Smith