It's obvious what my time is spent doing on a job.  Hair and makeup.
However, a good amount of time goes into maintaining my kit in between jobs.  Thoroughly cleaning my tools happen after a job- full washing and sanitizing, not just a spray. And then comes the incremental work.  The other week I spent a good 4 hours just de-potting and organizing my shadows.  I recently got a new lipstick and cream blush palette system(which was very pricey!!) that reduces the weight and space those products take up in my kit. That took me a few hours as well.  Going through products from time to time making sure they are all fresh, buying and trying, cleaning out brushes and pin boxes, re-upping and keeping disposables organized, wiping all of my palettes, pencils, etc. down to keep them clean, etc. This all takes time! I change up my kit according to the specific job as well.

Point is... it's not just show up and work the hours needed.  It's maintain a beautiful, functional, and fresh kit.  Pack, lug, travel, show up, travel, clean and sanitize, refill, - do it again!!

Over my career( 22 years!!) I've really done about everything.  From black eye and wound injury makeup, heavy glam, and the most minimal makeup for men's grooming jobs. For the past few years, I've curated my portfolio to showcase the type of work I want to take(take a look and you will understand what I mean!).  I love natural looks, soft glam,  and men's grooming, I want skin to look like skin in my applications, and don't like using heavy foundations for an airbrushed  look (and I don't like airbrush makeup- but I did it for years!). I do not like heavy eye makeup or shimmer.

As an artist, I think it's important at a certain point in your career to hone in on what you love. I do think it was extremely valuable to have such a wide range of experiences.  It's made me the artist I am today, and able to work with all mediums- problem solve as well.

I've always been a multi-media artist, and I wouldn't have it any other way!  Since childhood I've made clay, beaded, and wire jewelry.  Sewed by hand and machine.  Created art with pastels and charcoal, different types of paint, pencils, pen, markers, etc. This is all why I wanted to become a makeup artist.  I get to combine the practices I've honed throughout my life, and use them in the most fun career ever!  Blending, painting, lining- it's all the same.

 As a makeup and hair artist, I get so excited get clients ready for special events- like movie or TV show premieres(which happen a lot here in Austin during SXSW and the ATX TV Festival).  There's something magical about helping someone transform and feel their absolute best for a big moment. It's not just about "putting on makeup," it's about crafting a look that empowers, boosts confidence, and perfectly complements the occasion.
So, what goes into creating that red carpet-worthy glam? Here's a peek behind the scenes from my perspective:
Consultation is Key: Before the brushes even come out, we chat! This is crucial. We discuss the event itself – is it a glamorous premiere, a professional speaking engagement, or something else entirely? We talk about your outfit, your personal style, and the overall vibe you're going for. Do you envision a classic glam look, a modern and edgy vibe, or something soft, romantic, or very natural? Understanding your vision is the foundation of creating something truly special.
Skin Prep is the Foundation: Gorgeous makeup starts with healthy, happy skin. I can't stress this enough! Proper skincare is essential, and I often recommend a good facial leading up to a big event. On the day of, I prep the skin with cleansers, toners, moisturizers, and primers to create a smooth canvas for makeup application.
Makeup Artistry: More Than Just Color: Makeup is an art form. It's about highlighting your best features and creating balance. Contouring and highlighting play a huge role in sculpting and defining the face. We consider the lighting of the event – will you be under bright lights on a stage or on a red carpet with flashing cameras? This influences the intensity and finish of the makeup. And of course, we choose colors and products that complement your skin tone and enhance your natural beauty.
Hair Styling: Completing the Look: The hair is just as important as the makeup! From sleek and straight to voluminous curls, the hairstyle needs to complement the makeup and the overall look. We consider the neckline of your outfit, the shape of your face, and how formal you want to be.
The Final Touch:  The best part of my job is seeing the transformation in my clients. When they look in the mirror and see their finished look, their confidence shines through. That's the real magic. It's not just about the hair and makeup; it's about helping someone feel incredible in their own skin, ready to conquer their special event.
So, if you have a big event coming up, don't hesitate to reach out! Let's collaborate and create a glam look that will make you feel like a star. Because everyone deserves to shine!

Working as a hair and makeup artist on commercial gigs is really fun, and can also be quite tiring.  Long days; think 10-12 hours, and travel on top of that.  However!! Things are shot in bits and pieces, and if I'm lucky enough to actually see the completed product- it's RAD!  Like working on a micro micro movie.  I just worked on a commercial this week that had a lot of moving parts (figuratively and literally) and will have really cool transitions that the director set up for perfectly.  I've never seen so many takes, but I understood why. He needed absolute perfection for the different scenes to line up when put together in post production.  This shoot featured multiple talent, moving sets built by the art department, a trained working dog, a military consultant, lots of background actors, and more.  We were at a campsite, a business campus, and a college campus. Can't wait to see it!

What should you, or your makeup artist, be thinking about before you start putting makeup on? SKINCARE. Here's why skincare is the secret to your makeup look:

• Smooth: Imagine applying makeup to a smooth canvas. That's what good skincare does! It helps your foundation sink in, and look much more glowy, and skin-like.
• Breakout Blocker: No one wants their makeup to look patchy because of a breakout. A solid skincare routine keeps your pores happy and helps prevent those unwanted blemishes.
• Makeup Marathon Ready: Want your makeup to last longer? Hydrated skin is the key! It helps your makeup grip on tight, and wear more evenly.
• Glow Up: Healthy skin = glowing skin. When your skin is lookin' good from the inside out, your makeup just enhances your natural beauty.

Quick & Easy Skincare Steps Before Makeup:

• Cleanse: Wash that face! Get rid of all the gunk from the day.
• Exfoliate: Gently scrub away dead skin cells for a smoother surface.
• Tone: Balance your skin's pH – think of it as a refreshing drink for your face.
• Hydrate: Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

By adding these simple steps to your routine, you'll not only have healthier skin but also a flawless makeup look that'll make you feel like a queen.

When booking a makeup artist, pay attention to what the skin looks like in the portfolio photos if you can. Also- if they want a few extra minutes for eye patches or skincare steps- do it!

I freaking love SXSW from a professional standpoint.  I. used to go see music and film premiers, but it doesn't interest me so much anymore- and it's honestly just such a hassle to make happen. What I love about this festival... is the work.  Most of my gigs entail visiting clients for a do and go.  A do and go is when I visit them (usually their hotel room), get them prepped of an event (sometimes called glam, or men's grooming), and they are off to their event. This is easy work, and I get to meet a lot of really interesting creatives.
Other times I stay with a client, or group.  They are traveling around to multiple events, and want me to stay with them for touch ups, and occasionally look changes as they transition from day to night.  I love when I get to know a client for an extended amount of time- these jobs can be really fun. Last year I had a great job for multiple days in a row.  We dialed her look in so perfectly, it was awesome.
The creativity happening all around during SX is so inspiring- it will always be my favorite work festival of the year! (Close second is ATX TV Festival- which not a lot of people know about!).

Post holiday and holiday season can mean a lull for my industry.  I find Sept-Nov to be quite busy, even the beginning of December sometimes.  But after that.. There can be a good 6 weeks of nada. My theory is this. As the end of the year approaches companies are jamming in all of their photoshoots, commercials, corporate events, etc. before the end of the year.  Possibly using up budget?? Makes sense to me, lol.
Ad campaigns for social content and new product launches are the most common things that I get booked to do hair and makeup for. However THIS year, I got multiple gigs to do HMU for podcast recordings!  It's apparently increasingly common to have them recorded for video use as well.  YouTube I assume, and to be cut up and used for other purposes.  Now these jobs were inspiring.  All business owners being interviewed with the story of how they built their businesses. These podcasts are so popular- and now I know why! I will say I did mostly men's grooming for these.. which I wish wasn't the case.  Here's to more stories of women owned businesses in 2025!