InteRviEw.With.SmashBox's.LeaD.Makeup.ARtist.Lori.Taylor.

Over the past three hours I have had the pleasure of talking with the amazingly talented Lead Makeup artist of Smashbox; Lori Taylor. Smashbox did their first online discussion over Facebook. Allowing anyone ask any questions they wanted to ask a PRO makeup artist. As a HUGE fan of Lori's work I took the opportunity to ask her a few questions and so did other fans. Check out some of her answers below:

Here is something she personally said about what I had said(I almost died):

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  "Maricela, that is one of my favorite insider secrets! I have been doing it for years.

  
  
  

  You are a true makeup artist!" Lori Taylor

  
  

  As a new makeup artist myself(4 years) I was wondering a few things about you and your path in the beauty industry:

  If you had to pick one easy thing women can do to improve their natural beauty, what would you suggest?

  LT: First things first, since foundation is the basis for any great makeup flawless looking skin is the most important thing. I tend to see concealer and powder OR a tinted moisturizer and build from there. I don't like thick, cakey foundation that looks unnatural. 

  
  What steps have you taken to break into the industry, like how did you get started and what was your first job?

  LT: When I first realized I could make a living doing makeup was for a friends wedding in the early 80's. I had a caboodle full of various products I had collected over the years. I ended up doing makeup for 13 girls that day, all with different looks and skin tone. After that I worked at a Lancome counter honing my skills working on everyday women. Then I started assiting other makeup artists working for free and doing whatever was asked of me (i.e., I had to check my ego). Eventually after working for several other brands and learning from many amazing other artists, i started working at a Smashbox counter. Over time I worked my way into the field, training, and now I am behind the scenes at Smashbox Studios and Cosmetics offices.

  
  What are the obstacles and challenges that you have faced in your field since you began?

  LT: If there was any one obstacle I had to overcome, it was learning to not take things personal. If someone did not like the makeup I did for them I changed it until they were happy. 
  
  For aspiring make-up artists, can you outline an idea of what a day is like in your shoes?

  LT: Each day in my life is so different so that is a hard question. I have many jobs- I am an artist, a pshychiatrist (LOL), hand holder, baby sitter, miracle worker, cheerleader, and all around go-to girl on set! As a makeup artist you have to be up early, be on time, the days are long, the night are longer, and plan to be on your toes the whole time....I live for it!
  
  What is your favorite thing about your job?

  LT: There are so many things I love about my job because it's always changing. No 2 days are exactly the same. Some of the people I have had the oppurtunity to work with are incredible and everyday I get to push the boundaries of my creativity. 

  If you didn't go into makeup, what career would you most likely have? 

  LT: if I wasn't a MUA I'd love to be a bartender people are so interesting.

  
  Any beauty myths that you can dispel for us?

  LT: Yes makeup does NOT cause acne! Smoky (as in smokey eyes) is a technique not a color

  
  

  What is your favourite makeup product?

  LT: I'm obssesed with the new Brow tech to go

  
  And besides Smashbox do you love/like any other brand of makeup?

  LT: my other  favorite brands are graftobian and obsessive compulsive color.

  
  Thanks
  Maricela
  btw: YOU ARE AN AMAZING ARTIST! LOVE YOUR WORK!

  LT: Thanks for the kudos! I look forward to your future and if you really want it, don't give up!
  

  Do you ever find yourself having a non-creative day? (ie.the creativity is just not flowing that day? Similar to writers block?)
  If so, how do you manage to pull through it when the demand is high & you must perform through it?

  LT: YES sometimes creativity escapes me! To get back on track I will flip through my favorite mags or visit some of my favorite sites. One of the things I have that really helps is a file with my favorite tears. All year long as I flip through magazines I am am constantlly tearing out pics with inspiring colors, makeup, home decor, jewelry, fashion, swatches, and anything that catches my eye. On my downtime, I flip through these and I am always inspired by the things I have accumulated. 

  
  Also, what are some career makes or breaks in the makeup artist industry?
  For instance, would it be inadvisable to send some tear sheets to a cosmetics company in the hopes of becoming one of their artists? 

  LT: Taking a different approach to get yourself out there is always a great idea. You should always try to think outside the box. 

  
  

  Some things to look forward to from Smashbox in the near future:

  Liquid Liner Pen(core product, same formulation as Heartbreaker liquid liner)

  A new product to prevent lipstick from bleeding

  New Masquerade collection coming this Fall2010

  
  

  Click here to check out the discussion we had on the Smashbox Facebook Discussion Board

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  Make sure to check out Lori Taylor's fan page, Smashbox Online, Smashbox's Facebook page and the Smashbox Blog