M.E: You do so many things makeup, modeling, graphic design and photography. Which came first and how did it leads you to the others?
B.W: I grew up involved in lot of music and art. My senior year of high school I started experimenting with photography in my mixed media. I went to college for music, and in 2008 the music industry collapsed, so I needed to find a plan B and I decided to focus more on my photography. I started doing a lot of fashion photography because of the female artists I was working with and that is where the makeup came in to play! It can really make or break the photo.
M.E: How important is networking to you and how has it helped you along your MUA career.
B.W: I feel that networking is very important and I always try to make appearances. In some cases networking is more important than how good you are as an artist. LOL. When I was attending Berklee (College of Music), there were kids who wouldn’t focus on their assignments and their nightlife consisted of partying it up with other musicians (which I've been guilty of, haha) and handing people their cards. Then the next thing you know, they're making some major connections and opening for some incredible artists.
M.E: What would you say is the most exciting part of your career?
B.W: “Avant-garde”. I don’t know what is about it that I just love it!
M.E: How did your parents react when you told them you wanted to become an makeup artist? Do they know?
B.W: I got a bit of a mixed signal. My parents allowed me to make my own choices. My dad is the most supportive; he’ll look at my work and actually dig it...but my mom tends to be more critical and think it’s strange. I also work at an insurance company, teach at a school, and then I have my own company. I get a lot of criticism for doing so many different things from both my family and friends. Example: When I was in school I played cello, violin, guitar, and bass. My cello teacher used to be upset that I would play other instruments, and would say you can’t be a 'Jack Of All Trades' because then you won't be a master of one thing. And I would say 'Why can’t I just be awesome at everything?' LOL.
M.E: I find that most artist especially when they are really good find themselves to be a target for criticism. What is one thing that you find you get criticized a lot on?
B.W: I get a lot of criticism for work. People say that it’s retouched too much, but I actually don’t do as much retouching as people think. A lot of it is the lighting and make-up.
M.E: What make up really gets you excited?
B.W: I like faux lashes if it works with the concept of the shoot, and bright lip colors like purples. Definitely strong brows!
M.E: Favorite brands?
B.W: I love MAC, NARS, Makeup ForEver, and YSL. I also like Urban Decay shadows, but I think it’s a hit or miss sometimes with them - and not too crazy about their foundations. Some drug store makeup is OK if it has a primer, but I try to not to use it too much because you end up using more product than a professional brand. My favorite drug store brand is Milani.
M.E: TOP FIVE FAV PRODUCTS?
B.W: That’s kind of tough…..
1) MAC Pro Longwear foundation and concealer
2) Makeup Forever or MAC prep and prime translucent setting powder
3) YSL lip color in #10 Provocative Pink
4) M.A.C Pro Longwear Lipstick “Goes and Goes”
5) Urban Decay 'YDK' eye shadow in a taupish white shimmer.
M.E: WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
B.W: I enjoy doing new things; the edgier the better.
M.E: Any new projects?
B.W: I going to come out with a conceptual fashion coffee table book about dreams and how life is fleeting.
M.E: WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO PURSUE MAKE ARTISTRY AS A Career?
B.W: Yes, because the art world needs makeup artists! Magazines need MUA’s! Makeup is a really important part of the final product.
M.E: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING MUAS?
B.W: Try every product you can. Test them out on yourself first, and then try it out on friends. I learned how to do makeup by making mistakes and trying again. It’s all about trial and error. I spend about 30- 40 minutes on my face every day.
To see more of her work check her site Brit Woollard.com
