Hello Alicia! Doing an interview with you is a pleasure! Let's start with some basic info..

Q: How long You've been working as a make up artist?
A: I've been certified over a year, but was doing makeup since 1999.

Q: Do you have any influences?
A: Since makeup is a whole new form of art, I wouldn't say "influence", because everyone has to be their own artist, but there are two Makeup Artists I hope to become like because of their character, and belief. Cindy Gardner, and Michele Mulkey.

Q: Nowadays the make up and hair styles are like an artistic sign for each one do you think that is contribution of make up industry and adverts?
A: I guess .. I think more that everyone applies, or has makeup applied to become more. Even beauty makeup is a trip into imagination if you want to be a rock star for a night and get all done up. Its an expression of style, character, and imagination. How many girls do I see now traveling back to other decades with their makeup and hair? Fashion will always repeat itself. My job is more to make sure its correct to the year.

Q: You have a big stunning portfolio. What do you find more challenging, working on a movie make up, some cover magazine make ups or hair style?
A: Thank you! Most of my portfolio I didn't show due to talent approvals, and I almost never get pictures from film sets. I love Film. I love SFX. Some films, I carry a heavier workload and do the hair and FX. The days are long, and the pay is hit or miss, but hands down, I love the film work best of all.

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Q: Why did you chose the make up to express your talent for arts? Did you have an artistic background growing up?
A: I always was an artist. My first big art show was when I was in 2nd grade. I was the youngest. I attended art schools for college, one when I was still 16 and in High School. I somehow always wound up with portrait work, so makeup was an easy transition.

Q: I suppose you've meet many famous, talented artists ... What is the most exciting part of your work?
A: There are so many exciting parts, I love my job...but the best for me, is the "Martini". The Martini is the last shot, last take on a film set. Once we hear "Martini", the film is wrapped, and all was accomplished. Some sets don't yell it out, some do. You become a quick family in a short time working on set and its sad to let go of the work, but it all comes together at the screenings. Watching everything come together and fit is the best feeling in the world.

Q: Can you tell us about a memorable moment you had while doing a celebrity's makeup?
A: I really am not swayed by status. In my kit, every person I work for gets the same makeup.

      

Q: To become a good and successful make up artist it's not as easy as it sounds... How do you get inspired?
A: If I try too hard to think of it before a shoot or filming, as a typical artist, I stress myself on all the fantastic ways to get what I want done. I've learned not to really think of it now, because it all just flows out of my head when I get to work, and better than I imagined.

Q: When you are booked for a job, do you meet with the photographer and/or designers to find out what kind of look they want? Or do you have full creative freedom?
A: Sometimes I have free reign, but I always try to meet first so that everyone on the team is on the same page. There's always some sort of consultation or meeting.

Q: Are there any terms of work for a cover magazine or a movie?
A: I'm not quite sure of the question, but there's not much difference in the makeup unless its SFX. Magazines have more detail, and are made for a two dimensional plane as opposed to the three dimensional movement on film. It's knowing the difference and what to do, which becomes a second nature.

Q: Who is your favorite project you've been doing lately?
A: I was just working on an independent film based on a short story from 1835. I had a great team and a wonderful story to play with. Along with period hair, and regular film makeup, I made custom prosthetics for a shot, and I can't wait to see it come alive on film. I had to make a woman appear out of a very ornate embossed wallpaper, one of the most fun FX I have had to do yet.

Q: What sets you apart from other makeup artists?
A: I follow my heart. I don't know what everyone else does, and I don't attempt to be like anyone else, or pay attention. Its not to say that I don't appreciate and respect their talents, but this is a very difficult industry, and the best I can do, is just be who I am and do what I love.

Q: What are your best beauty tips?
A: The best tip of all I can give is to listen to your makeup artist. There are tons of tips and tricks we have, to go into all of them wouldn't do much, because every face is different. I make a point of always giving out tips and tricks to my talents, though.

Q: If you had to pick one easy thing women can do to improve their natural beauty, what would you suggest?
A: Forget the makeup, be yourself.

Q: What is your advice to aspiring makeup artists?
A: Save Money and Network. Every job I have gotten is through people I know, and the jobs are few and far between with everyone else clawing for them. Its truly difficult. I work to work. You can't just expect to have a kit and 123 get a job. It takes hard work and effort to get them. It takes advertising, networking, websites... I get up everyday early and sit at my computer until dinner time working to find casting calls and jobs posted, sending resumes, emails... its a business you're starting...your own, so prepare for the start up!

Q: Is there anyone that you hope to work with in the future?
A: Everyone! One of the best parts about my job is meeting all new people from all different points in their careers. Each one has something more to bring to the table for me.