Prepare to get your life! This interview featuring the uber-gorgeous and equally talented professional makeup artist Jo Michelle absolutely oozes glamour! It’s a known fact that I love searching Instagram for fashion and beauty inspiration, and and that’s pretty much how I stumbled upon this fabulous Orlando-based makeup artist.
When she’s no sharing adorable pictures of her enjoying life with family and friends, she’s giving ridiculous amounts of hair and makeup glamspiration! I was really excited when I got the opportunity to pick her brain for some much-needed beauty advice!
Check out our glam interview where she shares how to succeed as a professional makeup artist, whether or not makeup faux pas really exist, what we can expect to experience at her national Makeup 101 Tour and more! (You can thank me later!)
When did you fall in love with makeup?
I fell in love with makeup when I was 20 years old. I started working as a makeup artist at MAC Cosmetics, and discovered makeup as an art medium. I found it fascinating that a great makeup artist can transform someone’s face just by accenting, diffusing, highlight, contouring and concealing. I have always loved art and all-things-artistic, and makeup was just another way for me to express myself artistically. After a few months of working at MAC, I knew that what started out as just a college job would turn into my career.
The life of a professional makeup artist can be pretty busy, what advice do you have for aspiring artist who want to make a name for themselves?
Advice I would give to aspiring makeup artist is stay organized. Keep a pen and paper planner and also be able to reference it on your phone. Take EVERY job when you are starting out. Word-of-mouth is the best way to get your name out there in your community. Be the expert. Even though you may not feel like you are the best, you are better than most who are just learning about makeup. Don’t doubt your talent.
You are hosting a series of makeup classes throughout the country? How did this project come about?
I was inspired to teach makeup classes throughout the country when clients started to not just want their makeup done but wanted to learn how to do it at home. I love to meet new people, and I love teaching. I actually have a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education. I love to share what I know. This is what made me want to start a Makeup 101 Tour.
What can attendees expect to experience at these workshops?
The Makeup 101 Workshop will cover perfect brow technique, precise eye shadow placement and blending, false eyelash demonstration, winged liner technique, color correcting, blending, highlighting and contouring. The Hands-On Makeup Class will also go over applying foundation and concealer and the necessary tools and techniques to use while applying makeup. A Q&A of the truths and myths of makeup application will follow demonstration and information on how to start a career in makeup artistry will also be covered. Attendees will leave knowing how to turn their passion in makeup into a career.
You’re always rocking gorgeous lippies on Instagram! What are your go-to lip colors?
My Absolute favorite lip colors are Ruby Woo (MAC), Alter Ego (Voidbyangelcherry.com), Plum lip liner (MAC) and Snob lipstick (MAC). I am obsessed with these colors! Perfect, Red, Purple, and Pinky Nude for my skin tone.
What would you say is the biggest beauty faux pas that people make when it comes to makeup application?
That’s a tough one. Makeup is an art to me, so there is no “wrong” or “right” in my opinion. Apply makeup how you like. What matters is that you like what you see when you look in the mirror. Everyone else opinion doesn’t matter.
What the most rewarding aspect of your career?
The most rewarding aspect of my career is having the talent to make every woman I come in contact with feel like the most beautiful woman in the world!
What else can we expect from you in the coming months?
My focus is on our Makeup Tour for 2014. We will be visiting Tampa, Miami, ATL, Chicago and NYC! The next Makeup 101 Tour stop to is Miami and class will take place on April 27, 2014. Check out the flyer below for more details!
Great advice from a great talent! Isn’t she fab?! I always say glam is as glam does and Jo Michelle is quite glam, indeed. Be sure to check out her website Jo Michelle Artistry and to follow her on Instagram @lovejomichelle!
Photos via Instagram: @lovejomichelle
Ciao Bells,
Wow!! What a great talent. She is beautiful too!