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Q and A with Mayra, My Fabulous Faces

Q: Did you always want to be an artist, or did you stumble upon your talent by chance? Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I became a makeup artist totally by accident, although even as a young girl growing up in Cuba, I was always very tuned into fashion, hair and makeup.I guess it is in my genes. My mother looked like the 1940’s actress Rita Hayward, and I just loved watching her while she did her simple but beautiful makeup.

Q: How did you get started?

A: Not long after my husband and I got married, the company he worked for in Chicago asked him if he would take on a major two year project in London.We jumped at the chance, and that was just the beginning of our 10 year love affair with Europe.After London it was Brussels, the heart of Europe. We found ourselves traveling all over, absorbing it all – the art, fashion, culture, history, and the world of diplomacy – while at the same time raising our two daughters.My interest in fashion and makeup, coupled with my desire to help people, catapulted me into the world of fund raising for worthy causes. As an active member of the non-profit American Women’s Club of Brussels, not only did I learn French, but my job for the Club as a historian and photographer provided the opportunity to be in the midst of it all – the leading designer’s fashion shows in Paris, Brussels and London, the fabulous galas, the art shows etc..At the same time, friends were asking me to help them do their makeup for parties, interviews, and personal appearances; and all were telling me that they had never looked better! And I thought, REALLY??…HUMMM….Back in the US and residing in the Dallas area, my Neiman Marcus cosmetics monthly bill was always very “significant,” so I did what came naturally. I got a job as a makeup artist at the Neiman’s cosmetic department at North Park. Now at least I could get a discount on products! YIPPEE!!During my tenure at Neiman’s, I had the opportunity to learn and work closely with the best artists in the industry – Laura Mercier, Trish McEvoy, Bobbi Brown, François Nars, Kevin Aucoin, just to name a few – not to mention all the product training from all the best brands.After 12 years at Neiman Marcus, it became impossible to balance my growing private clients with my schedule at the store, so I left. I miss the discount but not the long hours.

Q: What might we find in your makeup kit if we looked inside?

A: Whatever works. Drug store or department store brands. I have my favorites for different purposes and clients. Some are a bit of a splurge, some are not. I never stop learning and doing research on new product releases.

Q: Who is your typical client?

A: My clientele is based on referrals. It runs the whole gamut. From commercial to private, from stills to film. Working with brides is a lot of fun.I’m grateful work is always abundant. I love it all. Everyday is different. Being asked to work with Queen Noor of Jordan earlier this year was really exciting.

Q: What is your motto?

A: When you are through changing, you are through.

Q and A with Randee Strand, About Face Artistry

Q: How long have you been in the biz?

A: I’ve been in the industry for over 12 years! I finally decided that I wanted to give my clients the very best service and do it on my own terms, so I started About Face Artistry almost five years ago and have never been happier!

Q:How did you get started?

A: I started out modeling and acting and, although I really loved acting, I knew I would never move to Hollywood to make a serious career out of it. As far as modeling goes, well, let’s just say I’m not a narcissist. I figured I would leave the megalomania to the pros (laughs). One day, I was hanging out with the makeup artists on a shoot and it hit me like a ton of bricks — I knew that I wanted to do makeup and not be the one in the spotlight. Been doing it ever since!

Q: Did you like makeup as a kid?

A: Ah, yes. I remember it like it was yesterday: the “Barbie Glamour Head!” It was an oversized blonde Barbie head and neck mounted to a pink plastic tray that held all of her makeup and hair styling accessories! Blue eye shadow, red lipstick, pink blush . . . actually it sounds awful now that I think about all the colors together, but as a kid, it was amazing! I made her up over and over again! Please believe that this in no way deterred me from sneaking into my Mom’s purse and attempting to do “big girl” makeup on myself. God only knows how many of her lipsticks I ended up breaking off in the sink while I was trying to apply it in the bathroom mirror. Practice makes perfect, so it’s probably a miracle that I am not blind considering all the times I stabbed myself in the eye with a mascara wand (laughing hysterically)!

Q: How was high school?

A: Even before I got into dinner theater and paid gigs, I was a total drama geek! I did everything from acting to student directing, stage crew and makeup. Theatrical makeup is very different from what I do now, but it was so much fun! I loved it all. I have always been a “people person,” and I thoroughly enjoyed working with such a vast group of kids. I guess that is part of why I love my job now. Makeup is a very personal, “in your face” job. Sorry about the pun, did I mention I am a bit of a joker too?

Q: Is it important for you to get to know the client?

A: You know, getting to really understand who my client is and what overall look she is trying to convey is so important! Listening to her and building a rapport is key. Brides spend a lot of time with their hair and makeup artists, and I want them to know they can count on me to make them look and feel more beautiful than they ever have. One of the things my clients often tell me they love about working with me is that I get THEM excited about their wedding, and that I helped them stay calm and have fun while getting ready for bridals or the day of the wedding. To me, this is what it’s all about!

Q: Makeup is makeup, right?

A: (Laughing) Um, no! On so many levels, this couldn’t be further from the truth. On one hand, makeup is very personal, and each woman has their own idea of what a great application should look like. For example, one person’s idea of a “smoky” eye is another’s idea of soft and natural. Each individual’s perception is different. Again, this is why I feel it is so important to know exactly who your client is, so you can give her exactly what she wants.

I typically have two types of clients. The first would be all of my teachers, nurses, and ladies who love soft, natural, clean makeup. The art of creating a “no makeup” look requires great skill in order to give her the appearance of a natural and radiant look. Lots of women choose me because I understand how to give them a “better version” of themselves. For these women who typically don’t wear much or any makeup on a daily basis, it is important to balance the makeup so it looks great in photos, but is not too heavy in person. The bride is going to be meeting many of the groom’s friends and family for the very first time, and it is very important that she feels like herself, while also looking fabulous in the wedding video and photos.

Then, I have my “makeup divas!” These ladies love their cosmetics and know how to use them! These clients are confident with applying their own makeup on a daily basis, but they typically don’t have a thorough understanding of how the products will appear in photographs. Lots of cosmetics look fine in person, but they look awful in photos. This is why it is so important to hire a professional with extensive product knowledge and experience in color and contouring.

You’ll find that the really great makeup artists have lots of “tricks of the trade” to help your makeup application last. These include special products and application techniques that come only with specialized training and years of experience. For a bride, this is one of the most photographed events of her entire life, so she’ll want an artist that uses quality products and techniques that will keep her tear-proof and fresh all night long! Whew! Can you tell I love talking about makeup? What can I say, I do love my job!

Q: I heard you spent some time in New York, what was that all about?

A: Soho was amazing! I love my career so much that I moved to NYC for three months last year. Makeup is an ever-changing world, and I feel it is part of every great makeup artist’s job and responsibility to be “in the know.” Continued education and training keeps you on top. I was lucky enough to study with some incredible celebrity artists and really get the inside scoop on lots of new and exciting products and techniques. New York is the fashion capital, so I figured what better place to stay and tap into the brilliant minds of many successful artists than there. But, it’s good to be back home, because you know I am a Dallas girl — born and raised!

Q: I think you can judge a person by what movies they like, what’s some of your favs?

A: Oh no! So many great movies, so little time. I really don’t know what I would do without Netflix! I like a lot of comedy, but a lot of “out of the box” stuff, too. One of my all-time favorites is Team America: World Police! Aw, yeah! Anything Austin Powers; Dodgeball (love Ben Stiller movies); Four Rooms; Napoleon Dynamite; and Borat. I also enjoy Korean movies like Old Boy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Lady Vengeance. I am terrified and fascinated by sharks, so anything with sharks . . . duh, duhn, duh, duhn, CHOMP! Anything from M. Night Shyamalan or Quentin Tarantino!

Like I said before, I love joking around, so even though these aren’t movies, I am also a HUGE fan of Flight of the Concords, Sarah Silverman, and SNL! Just me in a nutshell! Help, someone get me out of this nutshell.

Q: So I hear your husband hangs from buildings, what’s that all about?

A: (Laughing) Oh yeah, I call him Spiderman! I always tell people he is the brains of our family unit and I am the creative one. He gets so frustrated when people ask him if he’s a window washer! Karl does rappel (on ropes) on the outside of buildings. He is an amazing consultant and one of few in his field. I am the luckiest woman alive; he is the love of my life! I feel like I won the husband lottery! Sorry, girls.

Q: What would be the single best piece of free makeup advice you could offer a bride?
A: Waterproof everything, Baby! Seriously, call me!

Jordan Payne Events…….Q & A with Payne

Q: How long have you been in the biz?
A: 8 years! Really creating that foundation and building the first 4 years and then really sailing and loving my beautiful career as a wedding and event planner!

Q: Did you use an event planner for your own wedding, or wish you had?
A: You know, it never crossed my mind to hire a planner because, well, I am one… But I will say that if I were not, then my first call would have been to an experienced & talented wedding planner. I love the personal feel and intimate relationship that a wedding planner brings to the life of a wedding, and that involvement can make the wedding experience a million times better!

Q: What is the most unusual request you’ve ever had from a client?
A: I think the most bizarre request I had was to include zoo animals at the reception as a ‘viewing’ type event. As soon as I told her how much that would cost, she regretfully declined. =) I am thankful to say that we did not follow through. I saw bad things happening…

Q: How would you describe your design style? A: Sophisticated Chic! I also love a wide range of styles so designing and planning very classic weddings to very whimsical weddings always keeps my job exciting and joyous!Q: Ever had a request for something that you knew would look, uh, tacky?

A: You know, you do get the occasional ‘tacky’ idea from a client, but I have a very simple rule: Those ideas may not seem tacky to them because it may be an idea they see as a norm in their life or style. I always want to be respectful, so I take that idea and really try and offer suggestions or alternate designs so that it flows with the theme of the wedding and so that it really will not seem out of place to those on the outside looking in.

Q: What single piece of wedding-planning advice will you pass on to your own children?
A: Enjoy the process of your wedding from beginning to end. Planning a wedding should be enjoyable, fun, exciting and memorable so always make sure you are having fun. Love is fabulous and marriage is about love and the joining of two so enjoy you must!

Q: What do you love most about your job?
A: First and foremost I love the couples that I work with. I work with some of the greatest, most beautiful couples, and developing a close relationship with them during one of the most amazing times in their lives makes me love what I do! Of course, I love to plan and design weddings and none of that is even possible without the amazing family of vendors I work with. From my photographers to my cakers, each and every one holds a very special place in my heart and I could not do this without them!

Q: Dallas is unlike any other place. What do you think makes designing weddings here so exciting?
A: I think the most exciting thing about Dallas is that there is always a new venue blooming to hold weddings at. From loft spaces to zoos, you really get an array of choices when planning a wedding in the Dallas area. This is fabulous because as a planner, I really do work with all different personalities and styles so having the wedding venues to back up those differences really makes it very interesting and fun to plan a wedding.

Q: Do you ever get out on the dance floor? Describe your dance style.
A: Absolutely, although I will say I do get dragged out on the dance floor a lot of the times! I love to dance! My style is very, I would say ‘upbeat’. You know, the latest moves that my girl Britney Spears does??? I will say I still love the classics: roger rabbit, running man, cabbage patch, etc.

Q: How do you deal with your clients’ wedding jitters?
A: I focus on being the calming voice in the array of excitement and emotions! Your wedding planner/coordinator should be your voice of reason and strength the days leading up to and the day of your wedding. Your couples need to know you have their best interest at heart and that you are there to ensure the most flawless day you can! All with a smile on your face! =)

Q: What is the single most exotic or expensive flower you’ve ever had to get for a client?
A: I will have to say that lady slipper orchids are pretty groovy! You do not see them very often and when you do, they really just jump out! Another exotic request before is a venus fly trap… Not a very good idea.

Q: What’s the most unique wedding favor you’ve ever seen? Favorite?
A: We have all seen many favors! I think one that stuck with me over the years was the tree bud that guests received and were to plant when they return to their homes. Planting a tree is great for the environment and it is a lasting favor so I thought it was very neat. I love ice cream and dessert buffets. The array of colors the desserts offer and the fun the guests have with the yummies is always a fun site! I also love the charitable contributions that guests give to the couple’s favorite charity. I have more and more clients taking part in this and I think it is a beautiful opportunity to give back.Q: Favorite Movie? Why? A: Pretty Woman!! It is just a love story that draws me in every time I see it. I always sort of hope for a new ending, but am always happy with just the way it is. I love anything magical like Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, etc. And yes, I love wedding movies even though many of the things are so unrealistic!

Q: Favorite color?
A: Yes, I am a pink girl. I am a girly girl, what can I say? =)

Q: Favorite ice cream? A: cookies and cream baby!Q: Favorite designers:
A: Emilio Pucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel & Christian Dior!!

Q: Tell me about your family:
A: I have a wonderful and loving husband whose name is Josh! We have been together for 11 years and I love him more and more each day. He is a patient soul who is always there for me when I work my long days and late nights. I always say that you have to be passionate about this career and truly love it with every fiber of your being because the amount of time you devote to your couples can keep you out many days, nights and hours and hours at a time! Josh is an amazing father to our two children Ayden Matthew and Madison Michelle. My son is 4 ½ years of age and my daughter is 3 ½ years of age. Yes, 11 months apart! I remember the days of being ready to pop with them and planning and coordinating my weddings. I literally was working on my weddings until about 3 days before I popped! Oh, the swollen feet and waddling around!!! Now I look forward to the day that Madison is involved in the wedding world or at least help mommy and earn her keep….Q: What’s next for Jordan? anything new or and surprises you can tell us about? A: We have lots of plans in the world of Jordan Payne Events! As any business man or woman knows it takes time to build, build, build and we are always building and looking forward to many new and exciting things in the future. I am looking forward to it all and appreciate all of the love!