CELEBRITY MAKEUP

About Face with Celebrity Make-up Artist Kim Baker

by Dana Prigge Fri, July 13th, 2012 at 10:55am

DP: When and how did you start in the beauty industry?

KB: I began in the fashion/beauty industry as a model right out of high school starting with Bethann Hardison and then later becoming one of the pioneers of the plus size market! I was one of the first girls to sign to Wilhelmina Model 10/20 plus size division. During the time I was modeling, I always noticed that I was intrigued with the makeup artists who worked on my face and the way I would feel after each magical transformation. It was empowering and I was always an amazing painter so it just came naturally! I want to make other women feel the way I felt after my make-up application! Empowered and Gorgeous! DP: Describe your makeup style? KB: My makeup style is my beauty company's mission statement! At Glama-Zon Beauty our objective is to "Reveal A Woman's Natural Beauty Not Recreate It." I'm best known for doing really fresh, pretty, natural makeup with great color choices! Beautiful makeup is about choosing the right colors to enhance your natural skin tone! I truly live by the rule of: less is best! DP: What celebrities have you worked with? KB: I have worked with so many amazing celebrities from movie stars such as Tom Cruise, Lawrence Fishburne to singers like Toni Braxton, Lauren Hill and John Legend, Broadway stars like Da'vine Joy Randolph of the hit Broadway show GHOST but no matter how many stars I work with there is nothing that makes me happier than lighting up the faces of everyday women around the country! I love how they appreciate me sharing my love for beauty with them and that's so rewarding for me! DP: Tell me about your Best Face Forward program? KB: "Best Face Forward" is my component to other non profits in NY and NJ. I go out into the inner city and work with Re-Entry Woman and your girls to teach them a life skill, MAKEUP ARTISTRY. If you have an additional skill under your belt you will always have a way to provide for yourself! I'm also very involved with speaking to young girls at public schools about self esteem issues. Many girls are out there looking for love in all the wrong places because many of us were raised fatherless, like myself. I was abandoned by my dad from birth and as a young girl I almost went to prison for the rest of my life for associating with the wrong crowd because I was in need of a father figure. I use my voice to get young girls to listen to my story and avoid the dangerous road ahead. DP: Wow, how inspiring and forthright to share this with the Joonbug readers. Thank you. DP: Tell me about your new Beauty Book that I've heard the industry buzz on. KB: Well, I have two books coming out-- the first is titled "The Unconventional Makeup Artist" it will be out July 2012. It's a book to inspire anyone with the dream and love for makeup artistry like myself. It's a guide for aspiring makeup artists to work with and how to survive this extremely competitive business. It tells you how to market yourself without an agent and what makes me an authority is that I work consistently in this business for designers, TV Commercials, celebrities and advertising without an agent. Agents are great but if you're a hustler, mover and shaker than an agent is just an option! Mums the word on my other book -- the beauty book until the release date. DP: What advice do you have for an aspiring makeup artist? KB: Go for it-- the sky is the limit. Start out assisting established artists to get a feel for the industry and buy my book (releasing soon) as a guide of how I did it myself! To make it, you have to be a go-getter. Swim or sink in this business and I'm a strong swimmer. All photos courtesy of Kim Baker

GLAM DAMN IT

Matchy Matchy!

by Rosita Shore Wed, May 4th, 2011 at 11:55am

Perhaps the easiest make-up trend we have seen for this season is the pairing of lip color with that of your clothing. Wearing tomato red? How about a tomato red lip to match? Wearing nude? How about the perfect nude lip? This look has been worked to excellent precision recently, by celebrities such as Heidi Klum: Think nude dress, worn with nude heels, and complimented by nude lips.

The trick is to ensure that the shade matches the color of clothing EXACTLY. A pink lip with a nude dress just won't work. The color has to as close as possible.The look also has to be simple and clean. Keep lips matt and eye make -up minimal, for a look with oozes individuality and makes a delightful change from the 'statement red lips' and 'coral ringed eyes', we will be seeing in droves, come Summer.