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Tell us a little about yourself?
I’m Maya and I’m a freelance make-up artist and Beauty Editor for Curvaceous Inc Magazine. I’m based in the UK, but I’ve lived and worked all over the world.
Did you always want to be a makeup artist?
I’ve always been fascinated by makeup, costume in films. I am very creative and initially wanted to be a costume designer. I was always doing my friends makeup on nights out and people would always comment on my makeup. I did my makeup course in Auckland, New Zealand when I was 24, so by then I had gained a little life experience.
What was your first makeup job?
I was part of the makeup team at New Zealand Fashion Week. It was crazy! Some of the graduates from our makeup school were hand-picked and I was one of the lucky ones. The key was to stay calm and listen, that’s what got me through!
Can you tell us about a memorable moment you had while doing makeup?
There have been so many amazing experiences over the years. I worked on a show called World of Wearable Arts in Wellington, New Zealand which was amazing and I had the freedom to be very creative. I also worked for a Mexican TV network who were covering the Olympics in 2012 which was incredible. I meet some of the top TV presenters in Mexico and top International athletes, it was very inspiring.
What are some of the challenges facing men/women in the makeup industry?
We are thrust with daily images from the media with these perfect beings with perfect skin and perfect bodies when in fact the majority of the time it’s down to a good photographer, a good makeup artist, some good lighting and a touch of photoshop! No-one is perfect looking. I often have someone come with a photo of a model and say, I want to look like that! So it’s having the ability to translate that and then enhance someone’s features and making them not only look good but feel good inside.
What does it take to be successful in your industry?
Work hard, be creative and don’t follow others. Always be yourself and be kind to others!
What are you favourite cosmetics and what makeup brushes do you currently use?
I love BareMinerals Bareskin foundation, it’s light and gives perfect coverage. I have a number of blushers from Benefit Cosmetics which I love using. Touche Eclat from YSL is every woman’s beauty must have. NARS highlighters are always perfect to complete a makeup look. I use Bobbi Brown lipstick in Rosy, give me a splash of colour for my day look.
I have so many brushes from various brands which I have accumulated over the years. One of my favourites is an angled brush I got in my brush kit at makeup school, it’s perfect from eyes and eyebrows. I also love the Duo Fibre MAC Cosmetic Brush, perfect for blending foundation and the Nanshy Blush & Bronze Brush, perfect for blending in colour and doesn’t absorb the powders.
Website – www.mayamakeup.com
Twitter – Maya@Curvaceous
Magazine Beauty Editor : www.Curvaceousinc.com
