Last month I did the makeup for this editorial tennis shoot. I drew inspiration from our location to create the look, using a simple minty green liner along the top lash line contrasted against a bright orange lip.
I wanted the makeup to have a fresh, summer vibe while still remaining minimal and sporty. Orange and green is a super fun/whimsical color combination and it looks great on golden skin tones; the contrasting shades really made Krystal's features pop!
Emily Hawtin of EmMe Makeup Artistry is an on-site bridal and beauty makeup artist based out of Chattanooga Tennessee. I love the way Emily uses bright shades for a 'pop of color' on the cheeks and lips. That flushed, romantic style happens to be one of my personal favorite looks to create on bridal clients as well.
Emily and I connected over instagram and I could tell that she possessed a super sweet soul and would be the perfect kind of artist a bride would want for her wedding day. So all you Tennessee ladies, check her out!
Q: How long have you been a working professional and how did you get started in your career? A: I’ve been a working professional makeup artist for over six years and I started my company (EmMe Makeup Artistry) three years ago. I started studying makeup in college where I got a B.A. in two subjects because, truth be told, I couldn’t pick just one. However, my favorite major was Theatre with a concentration in makeup artistry and costume design. After graduating, I became a Teaching Artist for schools in the TN and GA area, teaching stage makeup techniques while also working as an Executive Administrative Assistant (which is really just a made up title for secretary). While sitting at my desk one day, cranking out excel sheets, I realized I hated this job and I didn’t want 20 years to go by and still find myself sitting in a cubicle. So, with not a lot of money and a huge nudge from my husband, I started EmMe Makeup Artistry while studying additional makeup techniques at AMUA and MAC Pro and reading through a giant stack of business textbooks every night. Three years later, I’ve never been more grateful for that nudge.
Q: When did you know that you wanted to be a makeup artist? A: My dad, a beautiful artist, inspired me to be artistic in my career pursuits. I’ve always been drawn to makeup, even as a little girl. So, naturally, I fell in love with makeup artistry as a career path. I remember being mesmerized as I watched my mother apply her makeup each morning; playing with her empty compacts when she got through with each product. When I was 12 she took me to MAC and got me my very first makeup brush (which I still carry in my brush belt today). It was then that I realized being a makeup artist was an actual job you could have. Every birthday and holiday, I would always ask for makeup (something that still holds true today).
Q: What do you love most about makeup and about your job? A: I love that makeup is always changing and evolving. Each season has different trends and each brand is coming out with innovative ways to apply and wear makeup. Being a makeup artist means you always have something to learn whether from fellow artists or clients. I love that each job is different and that I never feel stagnant; I’m always growing and moving. It’s one of the few jobs that I think pushes you to constantly keep learning and developing.
Q: What is your signature makeup style and what trends/looks have you been loving? A: My signature makeup style is to enhance, not hide. I believe that makeup should be used to highlight and accentuate each person’s natural beauty, not diminish it. We are each individually made and wonderfully beautiful; so let's celebrate that! My favorite trends of the moment are bright, satin/matte lips, dewy/highlighted skin and a full, natural brow.
Q: What are some of your go to, must have, all time favorite kit products?
Q: Where do you draw your inspiration from? A: I find inspiration in everything: other artists, film, books, the seasons... Most recently I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of Netflix binging and I’ve been watching a show called Phryne Fisher that’s set in the 1920’s so I’ve been obsessing over twenties makeup and finding inspiration there.
Q: Who are some people that have inspired or influenced you throughout your career? A: The people that have inspired me along the way and made the biggest influence on the way I view my art and my business is other makeup artists. To name just a few: Harriet Hadfield, Sanni Sorma and Lisa Eldridge (of course).
Q: What is your most important piece of beauty advice and/or makeup tip for women? A: Spend time and money on your skincare and base products (i.e. foundation, concealer) and everything else can be lower priced (i.e. lipstick, mascara). I realize not everyone wants or can buy the $50 tube of lipstick so spending time and money on your base products will make all the difference in how your makeup looks and feels.
Q: What is your most important piece of advice for aspiring professionals? A: Practice, practice, practice! And, say, “Yes,” your first year to every opportunity that comes your way - no matter how small. You never know what that opportunity could gift you with. Always be open minded; you are never too old to learn.
Q: What is one thing you wish you had known starting out? A: I wish I had gotten a business degree in some capacity because starting a business with no prior knowledge made everything a mountain of learning that I had to scale.
Q: If you weren’t a makeup artist what would you be doing instead? A: I think I would have been an elementary school teacher. It’s the only other job that I feel I could have fallen into and still been happy. It holds the same draw for me that makeup artistry does: constantly learning and growing.
I recently did the makeup for a shoot with NO KA'OI, a fabulous action-couture brand specializing in high performance workout clothes for women.
I love spicing up this blog with images of my fashion work, and I think it's a ton of fun to find out what products other makeup artists love on set, so I put together a little list of what the key products that I used to create these looks. All info and credits are listed the bottom of the post!
I drew inspiration for the makeup from the graphic lines and colors of the garments to create a fashion conscious eye-look while letting the skin remain fresh and sporty. To change from the first to the second look, I extended the liner into a bold ombre wing and punched up the lower lash line with a contrasting color.
