Recently we had the opportunity to spend the day with Hollywood Makeup Artist “Artemis.” She is a fabulous Hair/Makeup Artist and has made quite a name for herself in the plus-size community. This past season our team had the pleasure to work with Artemis on our Spring/Summer Collections photo shoot. She made myself as well as plus-size models Denise Bidot and Shameyka Thompson look incredible and mixed it up for every look. She was extremely helpful on the shoot and showed off some amazing skills so I decided to bring her in for a little interview so that our readers could get to know a little about her.

Our readers want to know about you….tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started as a Makeup Artist?

While in college, I was a theater major. One summer, we put on Arthur Miller’s, The Crucible. I played Harriet Putman in Act I & Sarah Goode in Act IV. The cast needed a makeup artist to transform a bunch of kids into a variety of characters, and I volunteered to learn. So, I taught myself a bit of age makeup and thus fell in love with the art of makeup. When I graduated, I had desired to go to makeup school, and unfortunately, did not follow my heart, and ended up as a teacher for a couple of years. After 9/11, when I lost my teaching position due to NYC’s budget cuts, I suddenly found myself unemployed. I bumped into a woman who introduced me to Mary Kay Cosmetics, and soon my reintroduction to the world of beauty began. I fell in love with makeup and skin care all over again. I credit my experience with this company with giving me the guts to realize my dreams and my true God-given potentials. Because of this, I now live my dream as a makeup and hair artist here in Hollywood.

You are known as one of the top MUA in the Plus Industry and also for your incredible Beauty editorials in Plus Model Magazine. Tell us how you made your way into the Plus Industry and was there any one particular shoot or gig that paved that way for you?

Firstly, I had always admired and desired to be a Plus Size model. But, as I am barely 5’2, I am definitely not the industry standard. The first Plus model to test with me was Mica Habarad. Soon, I was being contacted by various Plus models and photographers to hire me for shoots. I was on a shoot for PLUS when Maddy asked me about being a Beauty Editor for the magazine. Since I have a creative writing background, I was very eager to marry two things that I truly love, writing and beauty.

I have had the pleasure to work with you on numerous projects and you are always on top of the trends and are always so pleasant to work with . How do you stay on top of the trends and so positive in such a competitive industry?

I stay on top of trends by following a variety of magazines and fashion shows simply being in the know. It is my job to be in the know.

I stay positive in this competitive industry because I truly believe that my work speaks for itself.

Do you have a favorite look or style/era that you absolutely love creating?

I have many looks that I love to create and recreate. I have always been a fan of the elegant 1940’s and the fabulous 1950’s. I love creating artistic looks and have become well known for the fantasy images that I help create. I also truly love creating the no makeup look, allowing the face to look fresh and to glow.

It never fails that before a very important audition or shoot I get a huge pimple. What do you suggest for those unexpected/unwelcome breakouts?

I usually suggest a salicylic acid or a sulfur based acne product applied directly to the blemish. Also applying a little of Visine to it will also cut down the redness, as it would for your eyes. Do not pick at it because it will scab. It is challenging to cover up a scab or a bleeding blemish.

Here is how to cover it after you have applied your acne medication:

Apply foundation as usual. Using a pointy concealer brush, dab concealer directly to the blemish. Powder face as usual. With a Q-tip apply a very tiny amount of oil free moisturizer (solely to moisten the bump). Then with the other side of the Q-tip, apply some powder to it. With your concealer brush, paint over this with concealer, alternating with the brush and tapping your fingertip around the edges to blend it in to your face. Finish with loose powder on the area. Doing this, will last most of the day, but I do suggest keeping your tools with you, in case you need a small touch up!

What are your absolute favorite products for the following, and why:

Hair- No Frizz Living Proof. I use this product to enhance my natural curl with minimal frizz.

Nails- OPI Nail Color in I’m Not Really A Waitress. This is my absolute all time favorite red nail polish.

Skin- Mary Kay TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer. It has retinyl palmitate in it which is a vitamin A derivative. I have been using it for years and love how my skin looks and feels as a result. Anyone I recommend it to is also happy with it!

Eyes- Max Factor 2000 Calorie Xtreme Waterproof Mascara. I often have allergies and this mascara stays in place when my eyes tear up.

Eyebrows- Tweezerman tweezers. Ergonomically designed to easily pull stray hairs without cramping your fingers when you hold it! I have a pair in pink! Tweezerman gives a lifetime guarantee and will sharpen them for free.

Lips- Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose. Gives me moisture and a beautiful red stain to my lips.

What advice would you give to any aspiring makeup artists who are looking to build a solid career in the industry?

Start shooting right away. You need photos of your work in order to get more work. Become an expert in your craft and always strive to be better and better and never stop dreaming of who & what you can become.

Do you have any “Words of Wisdom” for our readers?

I have some words of beauty wisdom. There are only a couple of rules that I believe one should follow when she is applying her makeup.

1. Foundation must match your skin-tone exactly! You do not want to look as if you are wearing a mask. Your skin should always look like your skin, just a bit better.
2. Start with a little so that you can add and always be in control. Logically, it is easier to add on product rather than to wipe it down and start all over
3. Blend! Blend! Blend! And did I say BLEND! Your makeup will look more flawless if it is all blended to perfection.  Blending creates a beautiful soft focus effect.
4. Creating color harmony is necessary to beauty. Do not match your eye shadows to what you are wearing (this is very dated). Instead, your lips, cheeks, and fabric closest to your face will look best if everything is either cool or warm.

Lastly, my list of random questions for our readers to REALLY get to know you….

Who inspires you? God. My marriage. Life in general inspires me.

What is your favorite scent? Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb

What is your favorite color? I have many – generally all of the colors of the rainbow!

If you weren’t doing makeup what would you be doing? Writing poetry and painting while living in a house on the beach.

Who is your favorite Plus Size Model? besides me LOL – Kate Dillon has been my favorite since I remember seeing her in MODE.

If you were stranded on a dessert island what 1 thing would you want to have with you? Lip balm

What would you eat for your last meal? An authentic Greek gyro from Trikala, Greece (my husbands home town where they make them very special)

Favorite book or favorite read? Like Water for Chocolate

Favorite song or band? Annet Artani’s “Alive”

Special thanks to Artemis for spending the day with all of us here at Swak Designs. We absolutely loved having here and enjoyed learning so many new things about the Beauty World. If you haven’t ever had the pleasure to meet or work with Artemis please feel free to check out her work on her website www.makeupbyartemis.com, introduce yourself and show her some love.