How She Does It: Mariluz West
Mariluz West is truly an inspirational woman, both as a makeup artist and a chick who writes her own checks. This talented individual has worked with well-known companies like BET and 20/20, events like NYC Fashion Week, numerous celebrity clientele, presidential candidates, and a multitude of publications. Working in the field for over 10 years, Mariluz has also built a reputation as an incredible instructor. She definitely the kind of woman you could sit and chat with until long after your coffee’s gone cold. Here’s the next best thing.*
Have you always been a creative, artistically inclined person?
I would have to say yes. I am always drawing or doodling, finding ways to creatively reinvent things and visualizing things far more than what they are. You see a lampshade…I see the potential for a skirt.
Nice! So, how were you introduced to the arts?
Well, I let my mom tell it and she says she placed a paintbrush in my hand the moment I could hold one, it was history after that.
Haha! I’m guessing your family recognized your talent? How did they foster it…or hinder it?
My family definitely recognized it and supported it. I come from a family of creatives so it was definitely encouraged. There were plenty of things my parents didn’t give me recognition for, but when I did a drawing or a painting, it was the one thing they always praised. I remember for the longest time the hallways in my house growing up had my pencil drawings all over like cave writings. There never seemed to be a sense of urgency to remove them. Looking back this was, to me, a way they were saying without words that they supported what I loved.
You are very fortunate to come from a creative family! I would love to hear more about them. Were your parents working artists?
Unfortunately no, they had jobs that paid the bills so to speak, but they were always doing something creative or crafty. My dad was involved in different biker and veteran groups and my mom was the one painting and designing logos and banners for them. My dad was building bikes in the garage or banging on some drums and, till this day, says I still owe him a drawing or painting of a motorcycle. My mom channeled her creativity in crafts and other projects. I believe that if my mom had truly followed her heart, she would have pursued her passion for art, which is evident now in all the paintings she does. To be honest, even though they encouraged me artistically, seeing them go through life doing things just to make ends meet and sometimes putting their passions aside, only to realize them later in life, drives me even more to pursue mine and do what it takes to live passionately about my art and still make a living. I read a quote once that read, “Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination,” and it really struck a cord with me.
When did you discover your love for makeup? Is your favorite medium [makeup] the “money maker?”
Hmmm…I would have to say around the age of 17 or 18. It was around this time when I had taken a detour from my original “plan” of going to FIT in NY for fine arts and graphic design and chose to go to cosmetology school instead. On the first day they gave us our kit of cosmetology supplies. Amongst all the hair stuff was a small bag that contained a purple eye shadow, orange lipstick, brown eyeliner pencil and mascara. My heart skipped a beat and my stomach did cartwheels. From then on I think I knew what I wanted to do with my art. Makeup by far is my favorite medium. (Color pencils would come in second, but they don’t work too well on the face…lol). And yes, thankfully it is the “money maker” so to speak, which I am grateful for because it is what I do full time.
I know you mentioned cosmetology school, what type of art education did you receive?
During all four years of high school I took art as an elective. Even though I went to cosmetology school, you only have about 3 hours of makeup “lessons” if that is what you want to call it. I am pretty much self-taught as a makeup artist.
Artists that go professional frequently turn to a new hobby or interest as a form of expression or stress relief. Has work taken the fun out of art for you? How have you coped?
This is a great question. When I teach makeup classes, I always tell my students that they should never learn how to do one technique or type of makeup and forget about their own personal style or way of doing makeup. This is especially true when doing glamour or specific-look makeup. Sometimes you find yourself always working with the same type of client and the makeup application becomes pretty routine, using the same formula. I am fortunate that I am able to do a lot of high fashion and Avant Garde work. When I can’t, that is usually when I call a friend or my sister and say I need to play makeup and release some creative energy. Ultimately I love all kinds of makeup whether it be beauty or artistic…but I love when I can be creative!
What do you like to do when you need inspiration? How would you handle artists block?
I get inspiration from everything around me however, when I am in need of inspiration for something specific, nothing beats a good Google image search. I can visit different worlds, jungles, animals, buildings or anything and I don’t even have to leave my house (although I do prefer the real thing). Artist block…this is a tough one, but I think I have developed a personal formula for this one that, so far, hasn’t let me down. It first starts when I am inspired. I have color pencils and a sketchpad of blank face charts that I keep with me where I am always drawing up new makeup ideas or images. When moments of artist block come, I usually step away for a little bit. I let my mind work on other things unrelated to my art (I love word games) and inspiration will sometimes come when I wasn’t looking for it OR I go into my sketch book and pull something from there.
Do you find that your favorite piece and the viewers’ most beloved image are two different things? I’ve frequently run into this problem and I’d love to hear your response. How do you handle compliments or special recognition for an image that you feel isn’t your best?
This is a funny one. I have a Youtube channel (which I desperately need to upload new videos) where I was doing a series for Valentine’s Day makeup looks. I did one look that, in my mind, I saw coming out one way and being super fabulous, but once it was done, I was like…uhhh…it’s “okay” at best. I posted it anyway. I t ended up being my most viewed video with something like 5,000 views in a very short amount of time. It boggles my mind. I am always appreciative of compliments and I have to understand what I find beautiful may not be what someone else finds beautiful. It’s like one of my favorite quotes. The love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art.
What do you get out of your work, from a personal standpoint?
My art for me is a lot of things. Of course first it is a form of self-expression. Yet, because it can be an intimate art, if you will, It’s also an opportunity for me to share a gift that I have with someone else. I get to be free in my expression while at the same time allowing someone to see themselves in a way that maybe they didn’t know possible.
Do you prefer being self-employed? What advantages or disadvantages have you dealt with? What difficulties have you faced?
I absolutely prefer being self-employed. Don’t get me wrong, being a freelance artist definitely has it’s challenges, but for me, there is nothing more rewarding than not only working for yourself, but doing what you love. As a freelance makeup artist who is not with any agency, work can vary. Some weeks I am booked everyday with three jobs in one day and then there are weeks when there are only three jobs. It can vary from moment to moment. I may start a week and have nothing booked and a phone call or two later and my schedule is filled. However, the same can be said in reverse. I do love that I can create my own schedule, which has allowed me to be home with my son when needed. But, with anything there are challenges. Last minute cancellations were tough. You’d turn down jobs because you were already booked and then, the day before or the day of, a client cancels. There is now no income for the same day you had turned down prospective income. But you learn, and now I charge a non-refundable booking fee. You have to learn and adapt to different situations quickly when you are self-employed because it is the difference between being successful or letting the person who is working a little harder get the very thing you were striving for.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists, especially those with an interest in makeup artistry?
As an artist, we are emotionally vested in our pieces…this does not change for the makeup aspect. If you decide to pursue it as a career, never let the business aspect of it overtake the joy of your artistry. Learn everything you can about makeup, skin tone/types, techniques, products, etc. but never lose your own style of doing things. Practice, practice, practice. Blend, blend, blend. Acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses and continually strive to refine the things you would like to improve. Never get to a place where you feel like you have learned everything there is to know about makeup artistry because that is exactly where you will stay. Treat everyone you work with like a star. There are lots of great artists out there, but they also remember you because of the way they were treated in your chair. Lastly, be on time (which should be at least 15 minutes early) and be reliable. You can be personable, but also be professional.
*This interview has been edited and condensed.
Photo Credit: make up brushes by stevendepolo
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