I often say I am a self-taught makeup artist. To me self-taught means no formal "school" training but self-taught never really just means "self."  Before YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, there were books (yes, books!). Books and practice (and a little YouTube later on) are where I got my start and I wanted to share my favorite ones that I still have in my little book corner that I continue to refer to. (This blog contains affiliate links) Stage Makeup by Rosemarie Swinfield This is the very first makeup book I ever had. It is a step-by-step guide with color photos for various stage sizes, aging, period makeup, hair work, and more. I still reference it when teaching because the photos and diagrams have been such a valued learning tool. The Makeup Artist Handbook by Gretchen Davis & Mindy Hall Interested in a variety of platforms to show off your work? The Makeup Artist Handbook discusses techniques for film, television, photography AND theatre. I continue to refe...

The Theatrical Makeup Intensive is a two day intensive modeled after a college level course.  Here's how it came to existence. The Who: I often say this course is for every actor, technician and makeup lover. It's for teens who want to pursue makeup as a career. It's for the college student who is pursuing theater as a career. It's for adult community theater actors who want to level up their professionalism. It's for the costumer who will be having to design makeup at a small regional theater with no training. And its for a professional beauty makeup artist who loves effects and wants to introduce "glam-gore" to their portfolio. The What: While I fine tuned the course structure, kit, and handouts during shutdown, the Theatrical Makeup Intensive was actually created in 2019, with one class executed in person in Feb 2020. A hands-on course, it teaches those enrolled how to do essential theatrical makeup techniques. It has always been important to me to inco...

It's Women's History Month and I would be amiss if I didn't highlight notable women who made the makeup industry bloom throughout the years and shout out some #womenwarriors I am proud to know as thriving entrepreneurs. (This blog contains affiliate links) Estée Lauder A woman who got her start going knocking on the doors of beauty salons, she went door-to-door selling skincare and makeup products to women waiting for their hair to be dried. The Estée Lauder Company was founded in 1946 by Estée and her husband on the premise that every women deserves to feel beautiful. In addition, she is credited with the business concept of "a gift with purchase." Source: Estée Lauder Companies   Ve Neill We all know the iconic looks of Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, and Captain Jack Sparrow. The woman behind them is Ve Neill. Since the 1970's, Ve has been spear heading major motion picture films as key makeup artist, department head, sfx artist and even hair stylist....