Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Professional Makeup Artist Interview - Kristina Gasperas

Fluent in three languages and national 'bridal makeup' winner  of The 2013 Wedding Industry Awards, Kristina Gasperas doesn't mess around. She and her team are based in London, UK and travel to the surrounding areas. 

I first found Kristina's work on instagram and was instantly drawn to it, especially because she is also a photographer like myself! Read on to hear her interview and make sure to visit her links!


Q: How long have you been a working artist and how did you get started in your career? 

A: I have been working as a makeup artist for 7 years and started my career after being inspired by my bridal makeover on my own wedding day. Shortly after my wedding I arranged a course with the same makeup artist who was in charge of my bridal makeup and have never looked back! It’s been the best decision I ever made.


Q: When did you know that you wanted to be a makeup artist? 

A: Having a great experience and makeover on my own wedding day planted the seed. I knew very soon after that this career was perfect for me instead of the corporate role that I was in at the time. I wanted to be able to make women feel and look amazing - just like my bridal makeup artist had done for me.

Q: What was your first memorable work as an artist?

A: You always remember your first paying client. I still remember receiving that first phone call about a week after my website went live. My hands were trembling with excitement! It was a bride with a small wedding party. I had the biggest sense of relief when the makeup trial went well and she booked me for her wedding day.

























Q: What do you love most about makeup and about your job?

A: I love that the right makeup application can make women feel younger, more radiant and glow not just with beauty from the outside but also within. I like making my clients feel better about themselves and believe there is always a way all of them can look incredible! I really enjoy it when they look in the mirror and tell me they look the best they ever have, some even that they look 10 years younger! I know then that they’ll feel super-confident at whatever occasion they’re to attend.

Q: What is your signature makeup style and what trends/looks have you been loving?

A: The whole makeup world is into sculpting and strobing - shaping and reshaping the face with highlighters and sculpting products. Using light and dark sculpting tones can enhance, lift, give someone cheekbones, a temporary eyelift, reshape the nose and give a sharper jawline. Women love these makeup tricks and when applied well nobody needs to know that they are actually wearing corrective/enhancing products and application techniques. I also love using individual lashes to add instant but discreet glamour.
Q: What are some of your go to, must have, all-time favorite kit products?

A: MAC Paint Pot in “Painterly” for eye-base - makes powder eyeshadows stay put all day long!
Sublime de Chanel mascara - a perfect all-rounder with an incredible brush for smooth and easy application.
Shu Uemura eyelash curlers - nothing beats curled lashes, they take 5 years off the eyes and create an illusion of gently lifted outer corners and bigger eyes.
Charlotte Tilbury lip pencil Lip Cheat in “Pillow Talk” - the most perfect nude pink that works for most skin types.


Q: What products have you recently discovered and can’t live without?

A: Cosmetics à la Carte Silk Radiance Super-Fine Powder - it’s a perfect setting powder that doesn’t cake and makes the skin glow with radiance and health.
Charlotte Tilbury lip gloss Lip Lustre in “Seduction” - my brides absolutely love this colour, it’s a perfect nude tone and so beautifully glossy. It makes the lips look super-seductive.

Q: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

A: I follow lots of makeup artists whose work I enjoy in magazines and on social media; I subscribe to Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar; I check out the latest trends at red carpet events; I go to makeup masterclasses run by celebrity makeup artists to get the latest news and application tips; and I read lots of beauty blogs and product reviews. I have a small team of makeup artists - the K-Team - and we’re always experimenting with new looks and drawing inspiration from them.

 
Q: Who are some people that have inspired or influenced you throughout your career?

A: My makeup and photography teacher/mentor in Lithuania: Viktorija Vaišvilaitė-Skirutienė. She helped me change my life.

Q: How do you continue to grow your career as an artist?

A: I work hard, continue to improve my skills and keep it current. I treat each and every one of my clients with the love and attention they deserve, I want them to have the best experience at my hands and not just look amazing at the end. If they enjoy their time with me they’ll recommend me to their friends and the demand keeps growing. My small team keeps growing too because I’m lucky enough to have more work come my way than I would be able to deal with on my own.




























Q: Where would you like to see yourself as an artist in the next 5-10 years?

A: I have started an academy of makeup and hairstyling which provides professional training and would like this to flourish and become a renowned institution in the industry. I would like to continue producing quality makeup artists and hairstylists who will raise the standards in the industry.
Q: What is your most important piece of beauty advice and/or makeup tip for women?

A: A good skincare regime will ensure that the skin is looking great and great looking skin is always more attractive than having to use lots of foundation to cover imperfections. Regular facial massages improve skin elasticity, get the blood flowing and give a younger, more radiant look.
Also have your eyebrows nicely shaped - it’ll enhance your eyes and make your overall makeup look flawless and clean.

Q: What is your most important piece of advice for aspiring professionals?

A: You should only choose this career if you are prepared to invest every spare moment into practicing and perfecting your skills as the room to grow is endless! Only the most determined and devoted makeup artists make it through to become someone special.

 
Q: What is one thing you wish you had known starting out?

A: That it takes time to achieve results and to be patient and not beat myself up when the going gets tough. Don’t expect perfection from the start.
People wrongly expect to become great at what they do in too short a space of time. Give yourself time to learn from your mistakes and to perfect your skills by practicing the same things over and over again, you’ll eventually become a master in what you do!

Q: If you weren’t a makeup artist what would you be doing instead?

A: I’d be a photographer. I’m a professionally trained portrait photographer and just love it! Photography is a key part of my makeup service - I send my clients professionally finished photographs of their completed look, so not only do they get a great makeover but also a nice memento. I’d be a beauty photographer as it gives me so much joy capturing women in the most flattering ways.


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