Biography

Makeup Artist Interview

Q: Your name please:

A: Ashley Lueckenhoff

Q: Tell a little about yourself personally and if you attended school or you are a self taught makeup artist?

A: I attended a cosmetology school right after school and found my passion for makeup and hair color, but I don’t think it’s a requirement in this industry in order to become successful. A lot of what I learned was self taught, when a person wants something bad enough anything is possible. A business degree and/or an arts degree would be helpful.

Q: Do you think going to school for make-up artistry is important to excel in the business later on?

A: I think it depends on the area of makeup artistry. I’ve always had an interest in print and bridal so it made a lot more sense to pursue courses in lighting and in business. Business savvy is so important and no one tells new artists that. If special fx is an interest though makeup school is a must.

Q: Did you always want to be an artist, or did you stumble upon your talent by chance? Who or what inspired you to become a makeup artist?

A: I’ve always been very creative and loved to write. My senior year of high school I had a couple of friends die in a car accident. I had writer’s block following the accident and it was scary because I thought for sure I would become a journalist. Family insisted that I had to do something and I agreed to beauty school. I figured why not? My Grandma had owned her own salon and I grew up around the industry and liked it a lot. My story is a perfect example of how things happen for a reason.

Q: What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?

A: The transformation of a face always amazes me and of course I also enjoy the human contact and interaction with others

Q: What surprises you most about working as a makeup artist?

A: I’m always surprised by how different makeup can make someone look.

Q: Describe your “Classic Approach to Beauty.” how do you define beauty?

A: Beauty is emphasizing your strong points and deemphasizing your weak points. It goes hand in hand with fashion; if you are top heavy a full skirt or boot leg cut will look the most flattering

Q: What individual products and brands you're "addicted" to at the moment and you use on a daily basis?

A: Murad eye bright at the moment. I think skin care is the first and foremost step in looking your best.

Q: What are some of the most basic but effective skin care tips in general that you have, that are really important?

A:Always wash your face, morning and night. Always use a moisturizer, preferably with SPF. Use an eye cream for ageing. Ageing is a preventative problem, so the earlier you start the better your results will be.

Q: What is the biggest skin care dont's?

A:Don’t go tanning or lay out in the sun, don’t smoke, eat right and drink plenty of water.

Q: Have you had an extreme, crazy or bad experience with a skin care product or during a makeup session? If so, what happened?

A: Luckily no, it’s so important to have a thorough consultation with each and every client.

Q: What do you find to be the most common mistakes women make with makeup? What's the worst thing a woman can do to her skin?

A: Wearing too much makeup is a common don’t, sometimes less is more. The worst thing a woman can do to her skin is sun damage. I can’t stress enough the importance of staying out of the sun.

Q: What do you think are best/worst trends in the makeup / skin care industry right now?

A: The classic red lip with an under stated eye is always a good move as is a nude lip with a smoky eye. Bringing back the 80’s makeup is a don’t in my book. Unless you walk a runway for a living it’s just not wearable.

Q: Do teenage girls needs to splurge on high-priced makeup products, or are drugstore items are just as satisfactory?

A: For skincare, Aveeno makes nice products for teenagers. Makeup wise, I think Clinique is the best for young women. Most drugstore products are about the same price and not the same quality. Black Honey lip color is an all time favorite by Clinique that looks great on everyone.

Q: What feature(s) do you love to accentuate?

A: The eyes and the cheekbones. I love creating and emphasizing cheekbones on people who don’t believe they have them to begin with.

Q: What are your steps for the perfect, flawless, natural look?

A: 1.Clean face, apply tinted moisturizer 2. Use concealer as needed for extra coverage, under eyes etc. 3. Apply 2 coats of mascara 4. Tinted lip gloss for lips and apples of cheeks 5. Loose powder 6. Bronzer.

Q: What is a really quick way to change a day look to a special occasion or nighttime face?

A: Red Lipstick!

Q: What are the differences between applying makeup on models and on real women?

A: A lot of times models have very pronounced features naturally. When doing their makeup sometimes less is more.

Q: In terms of eyeliner, if you had to choose between a pencil, liquid, or creme/gel based, which one would you choose? Why?

A: I prefer to use a crème/gel based liner the most. This is because of the staying power they have and also because they can quickly be made into a smudgy look with some Vaseline. The versatility of these liners makes them perfect for shoots that require many different looks.

Q: Lip gloss or Lipstick. Which product is best? Why?

A: Lipstick is my favorite because it has staying power but glosses are my favorite because of the shine. I would have to say lipstick with a gloss on top is my favorite.

Q: What should a client consider before deciding to try permanent makeup? What is the difference between permanent and semi-permanent makeup?

A: I am strongly opposed to permanent makeup because I have yet to see it look good on someone. My advice is to spend the time and create your look daily.

Q: What brand/type of concealer is your favorite for covering up the after effects of a late night out i.e. under-eye circles, blemishes?

A: Be sure to choose an under-eye concealer that is about a ½ shade lighter than the rest of your skin with a yellow under tone. Amazing Cosmetics concealers are great because they are thick enough to give coverage without making it look like your makeup is caked on. I also really like Erase Paste by Benefit Cosmetics.

Q: How about airbrush spray makeup trend? Are these products better or easier to use than standard sponge or finger application? If yes when would you recommend using them?

A: I don’t think easier or better is a good word description for airbrush makeup. Airbrush is simply another method of applying makeup. It’s important to stay well rounded and in the know in the beauty industry. Knowledge is absolutely power as a professional makeup artist.

Q: What do your clients think of you? What are some individual testimonials?

A: I’ve had my clients compliment me on my attention to detail and my professionalism.

Q: Would you share some of your future goals, your life motto, any words of wisdom that get you by in life and professional career?

A: My goal is to constantly evolve as an artist and to never become complacent with my surroundings. I really want to leave a positive impact on the beauty industry and I strive to improve it.

Q: What tips and advice do you have for aspiring makeup artists just starting out?

A: Practice as much as you can, a lot of starting out in this business is not getting paid. Hence, the term starving artist.