Palm Springs native-turned Los Angeles area based Candace Garcia has lent her talents of making people over to various fashion related, commercial, and live performance projects over her course as a make-up artist. Over the month of September she’ll be sharing some insight on the world of make-up and bringing us some of her own beauty tips!
TRAFFIK: How did you get involved with doing make-up and why? CG: Growing up I always had loved make-up. When I joined my high school dance team I always did my make-up fun and creative. Then a lot of other dance team members and other girls at school liked it. So I often times practiced and did make-up for performances and proms etc. It makes me feel great when I can apply make-up to make someone feel great about they’re look or appearance. I’m proud of the art I do and it’s always seemed to help me express myself.
TRAFFIK:What are some of the various projects/shoots you have done make-up for? CG:I have done make-up for a range of every day things to more stylized professional projects including: fashion shows, brides, Halloween, commercials, print work, snap shots, prom, as well as personal lessons.
TRAFFIK:What type of scenarios/situations (TV, commercial, fashion show/runway, photo shoots, etc.) do you most like doing make-up for? CG: I love all make-up in general, but I especially love photo shoots. I admire photography and love being involved in the shoot. It’s great to work with different models & photographers because everyone has their own ideas, styles, amd way of working things.(more…)
The March Featured Make-up Pro-Artist Vanessa Comar is back one final time and this time is teaching us how to get one of the latest Trend looks direct from the Runways…
Click on Photos to enlarge to see end result of Beauty How To
all photos by Jessy Plume
Tools of the Trade – For this look Pro Artist Vanessa used:
Lips:mixed with three parts Peach Lip Glaze by Stila
With a resume that includes Fashion Shows, Photo Shoots, Red Carpet Events, Awards Shows, Music Videos, and the world Extreme Sports, Make-Up Artist Vanessa Comarhas it covered when it comes to making people look good.
As this March’s FeaturedMake-Up Artist over the next few weeks you will learn some of Vanessa’s insider “Tricks of the Trade” beginning with this Q & A Session. Keep checking back as she reveals her favorite producs and provides some how to “step by step” advice including on how to get lips that are perfect plump.
TRAFFIK: Where are you from originally and where are you based now?
VC:Born in NY raised in Cali, live and work in LA
TRAFFIK: How did you get involved in doing makeup and why?
VC:Officially I’m sure it had something to do with Color Energyby Cristinia Bornstein, but I was already doing covers for the Santa Barbara Independent in 2001 for the fashion editions as well as styling the wardrobe as a fashion editor’s assistant.
After art school and during the launch of my own clothing line I returned to doing make-up/product development in 2004 for Tony & Tina Cosmetics (T&T), a company ironically based from NY.
I quickly became the Trend Consultant for Nordstrom’s regionally throughout the Southern California doors for T&T.Stila Cosmeticsbrought me out to LA in 2006 and I worked for them while attending the Art Institute majoring in Graphic Design.
It was a blast! Travel and lots of free product every season combined with training for the new “in look”
TRAffIK: What are some of the various projects/shoots you have done make-up for?
( from left to right: for Lisa Kline, TWS Awards photo by ZEX Sports, RAD Girls for Maxim.com – click on images to enlarge)
TRAffIK: What type of scenarios/situations (tv, commercial, fashionshow/runway, photo shoots, etc.) do you most like doing make-up for?
VC:Private Clients, Fashion Shows, Product Development
TRAffIK: What do you enjoy about doing make-up?
VC:It’s relaxing! And of course making people beautiful, FX or character make-up never caught on with me, it’s always been about fashion and beauty or demonstrating technique.
TRAffIK. Do you remember the first make-up item that you purchased or used? What was it?
VC: I really bought into skin care first, and then whenMACfirst came out, I was ALL OVER that!!!
TRAffIK: At what age did you start wearing make-up? What made you start?
VC:Well, I was kinda a tomboyish sorta girl and resisted until about junior high, but then fell in love with the whole thing.
TRAffIK: Are you able to tell what colors would work best on someone just by looking at them? How?
VC: There are really great ways to predict what will work on someone. I start with looking at eye color and skin tone.
TRAffIK: Is there a make-up look that you feel works for everyone?
VC: Anything you can put together in three steps is the perfect everyday look. Less is more, more or less.
TRAffIK: What is the biggest or most common mistake that you feel people make when it comes to make-up?
VC:Looking at magazines and trying to re-create a photo-shopped image
TRAffIK: What would your advice be for someone who has never worn make-up but wants to start?
VC: The best advice is to sit down with the pros near you. Either in a flagship store or a department store counter. Ask the manager who they recommend and sit down for an hour, it’s free.
TRAffIK: What do you feel makes a great make-up artist?
VC:Perseverance, confidence, and talent.
TRAffIK: What are some of the most common questions you get from women in regards to makeup?
VC:How do I do the smokey eye?
TRAffIK: Are there any people in your field that you look up to?
VC:Janice Dickinson’s make-up artist team, she always looks amazing!
TRAffIK: Are there any celebrities whose makeup you think always looks great?
VC: Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Beyonce
TRAffIK: Is there any celebrity (or multiple celebrities) whose makeup you would love to do? Why?
VC: Meghan Fox. Basically, people that can constantly re-invent themselves.
TRAffIK: How would you describe your personal make-up approach?
VC: Fresh appeal, bringing out individual beauty through features.
TRAffIK: What is your going out make-up process (either daily morning getting ready or nighttime)?
VC:I’m a total chameleon with my make-up and will almost never repeat the same look twice.
TRAffIK: Is there any product or beauty regimen that you swear by?
VC:
1. exfoliate
2. use lip conditioner daily
3.throw away old product!!! Anything more than 2 years old.
4. shape the brows
5. illuminate
TRAffIK: What is your favorite feature (eyes/lips/face) to do make-up for?
VC:Creating high cheekbones and full luscious lips
Simone Loffer photo by Chris Carlo Make-up by Vanessa Comar
TRAffIK: How do you feel about permanent make-up?
VC: Brows look pretty good if done right. Not a fan of permanent eye or lip liner.
TRAffIK: How do you feel about plastic surgery?
VC: I would recommend upper eye lid surgery for more crease. There are so many things you can do these days, just make sure it fits your profile.
TRAffIK: For someone who is getting their make-up done by you, what kind of experience can they expect?
VC:More relaxing than intimidating with great results, I let the client be a part of the experience.
TRAffIK: If you weren’t a make-up artist what would you be?
VC: A unicorn
TRAffIK: What do you do to unwind?
VC: Bubble bath or hit the gym, or both
TRAffIK: What are some of your favorite places to shop for make-up?