When it comes to makeup it’s best to take the advice of a professional – staying up on the latest trends in the industry can be overwhelming without professional insight! We talked with Auburn’s Emily Mislak, a professional Makeup Artist for the past five years, about her work and some of the latest trends she finds in the beauty industry.
CLM: Tell us a bit about your work as a makeup artist.
EM: I work with Alta Moda Salon in Sturbridge doing makeup for brides as well as run my own independent makeup and photography business consistently. There’s always a balance between the two outlets. I also work with a lot of other photographers, so there’s really three ways I can do makeup.
CLM: What peaked your interest in the beauty industry?
EM: Fate! I always took a special interest in makeup but it all happened on a whim. Basically, I walked by a woman who had eccentric makeup on and I stopped to ask her where she got her products. She replied “MAC,” which at the time I had never heard of before. I found the nearest MAC store and fell in love. I even remember the first thing I bought – their pigment “blue brown.”
CLM: How did you get started as a makeup artist?
EM: I began applying all my friends’ makeup for nights out on the town, or just because I wanted to practice techniques I read about in one of my many Kevyn AuCoin books. I picked up a camera to record my work and fell right back in love again, this time with photography. To start, I saved up all of my money, bought a Nikon D40, Photoshop, an array of foundations, brushes, and as many makeup products as I could afford. I signed up for makeup training with David Nicholas International of Boston wherein I became a DNI-Pro sales representative after completing his Studio, Advanced, Commercial and Master courses. The rest is history!
CLM: How do you manage working as an independent makeup artist?
EM: The most challenging thing about being a makeup artist is also the best thing about being a makeup artist: being your own boss. You really have to have a lot of patience and confidence and be willing to spend a lot of time, energy, and money before you have the opportunity to establish yourself independently in order to make a profit. This is certainly not a job for the unmotivated.
CLM: What is your favorite style of work to perform?
EM: My top three favorite styles would have to be fashion, editorial, and beauty work. I just love getting together with a team of professionals that have a goal, exceptional talents, innovation, creativity, and – most importantly – passion. My expectations are almost always exceeded at every photo shoot I host or attend.
CLM: How about some of your favorite products and types of makeup?
EM: For products – there’s a long list! – probably my favorite line is NARS. Of course the eyes are the most fun to work with, but I like approaching the whole face as a blank canvas. I paint, so I look at it as a whole new form of painting.
CLM: How do you stay on top of the latest styles and products?
EM: Attending launch parties of new makeup collections always keeps the professional makeup artist ahead of the game. I get to test or take home products and lines that haven’t hit the shelves yet. A great deal is credited to making yourself known as a fellow industry professional in the stores you shop.
CLM: What are some of the latest trends for the winter?
EM: A flawless application that stays put is always the winner, but this winter I’ve noticed a lot more daring makeup looks, the most frequent being a dark, matte lipcolor. Sometimes it’s easier to just keep the eyes and cheeks plain and throw a dramatic shade of rouge or plum on your lips for a quick but polished look. People aren’t afraid to use dark eyes and dark lips. There used to be this rule where if you did one thing dark everything else had to be light, but now I’m seeing more people getting a little more daring where they’re using more makeup and darker makeup.
CLM: And looking ahead to the spring?
EM: I see this same winter trend of highly pigmented lipcolor carrying through the spring and summer. For example, a clean and natural fresh face with hot pink lips or a warm bronzed face with bright raspberry lips. The tried-and-true spring/summer makeup looks are always young, lively and colorful.
CLM: What does the future hold for you?
EM: I’m moving to Los Angeles in a month! To be honest I’m moving for the warm weather, but there is more of an industry out there – it’s the place for arts and entertainment. There are so many different outlets that I haven’t come across. I’m just looking to meet some new people and experience life in a different part of the world.
View more of Emily’s work at www.emilymislak.com.
