“Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” The famous last line of Casablanca. As we progress with our blog we think that this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship as well. We appreciate all of the comments, responses, requests, following and emails we receive-please keep them coming!
I wanted to give a more proper introduction to our True Blind Faith family member Heather Rene. Heather is a beautiful friend to us and we always look forward to her posts. She’s a super creative gal with lots of style and sass. Heather always has something nice to say and always a smile on her pretty face; and she somehow manages to always keep her lipstick in place. Read our little Q&A below and perhaps she’ll even reveal some of her magical beauty secrets!
How did your love for makeup begin?
I was a painter/drawer/scribbler from the time I was a small child, and the need to express myself creatively with color continued as I grew up and took numerous art classes. As a young teenager, I was the one who taught my girlfriends how to apply makeup (I was the first one to “blossom”, therefore the first to experience makeup). The colors, the textures and the ability to transform oneself (with a swoosh of bright blue 80’s eyeshadow!) was always so intriguing.
Were you one of those little girls always digging into her mother’s make up bag?
Not so much…but I have several really great memories of having slumber parties as a girl, and my mom would paint all our nails and let us wear lipgloss. That was the most fun!
Where do you find your inspiration? What inspires you on a day to day basis?
Vintage-inspired imagery…
Frida Kahlo…
Simple beauty…
Do you have a muse?
Elsie of Red Velvet Art,
my daughter,
…and the letter Q.
Do you have a signature style/look?
Nothing makes me happier than rosy cheeks and a nice red lip!
What one beauty product could you not live without?
Translucent powder! I am a grease monkey, for sure, and the Arizona desert heat is not very forgiving, I’m afraid.
Is there a trick to ..applying such and such etc…
Get a flesh tone eyeshadow base and get in the habit of using it! You will be amazed how it adds to the longevity of your eye-makeup. Foundation or concealer will not cut it- they can irritate the delicate eyelid area, and often crease after a few hours.
My favorites are MAC’s Eyepaints and Benefit’s f.y.eye primer
What kind of training have you received?
I was lucky enough to start my professional journey with Laura Mercier Cosmetics. Artist Levi Rollins (now Vice President of Global Accounts) saw my artistic potential and took me under his wing. I began to see the human face as a living canvas and learned to hone my skills, creating naturally flawless looks that enhance women’s features without drawing attention to the makeup itself. It was there that I also received extensive training on skincare and treatment.
After four amazing years with Laura Mercier, I took an artistry position with MAC Cosmetics. The little girl in me squealed with glee at the veritable crayon box of colours that were at my fingertips! I continued to stretch my creative boundaries by learning from my fellow artists and experimenting with new techniques. I found that I loved empowering women to feel good about themselves, inside and out. I began doing freelance work regularly–bridal makeup, newscasters, photo shoots and fashion shows, which is where my true passion lies today.
Any recent work you’d like to share?
I used to wear blue eyeliner. Do you hate me?
No way! I went through a cobalt blue MASCARA phase sometime in the 80’s, and I choose to think of it as an early experiment in self-expression! haha!
PS: Please visit my other business that I co-own with Amy Wing–Gauche Alchemy! My love of all things vintage extends to paper and mixed media art, so GO CHECK IT OUT!
photos via rocknrollbride, sfgirlbybay, artofthestate, jennifer jones photography
