Christi Reynolds, Sacramento Makeup artist.
Photo by Carmen Salazar
Improving the quality of capturing great portraits can easily take place in the preparation before you even pick up a camera. Anybody can pick up a camera, point it in a given direction, trigger the shutter and get respectable results. Taking the time and effort to plan a few elements beforehand will dramatically set your images apart from the average GWC (Guy/Girl With Camera) who thinks there is nothing more to photographing portraits than just pointing a camera and telling someone to pose, among other things. If you are going to be a serious photographer, you need to be serious about your preparation.
In this week’s interview, we meet Christi Reynolds. Christi is a respected local makeup artist who has gained the respect of many different photographers who utilize professional makeup services in their portrait shooting preparations. She excels at many different styles of makeup application, which makes her a popular asset to photographers with varied styles of photography. Her Question and Answer session follows:
What kind of training have you taken to get where you are today?
I have a blend of almost thirteen years in the cosmetics industry of behind the counter experience, training with three large makeup companies, including over seven years of training with MAC, makeup application certification, and management. I also worked as a team developer and trainer for another large Cosmetics line for six retail locations in Sacramento and surrounding cities. Besides my retail cosmetics experience, I have immersed myself in the industries of makeup art and photography, and am continuously educated and challenged by my clients and peers.
Please describe the philosophy behind your style of makeup artistry?
I like to find the natural beauty in every one of my subjects and make it up, not over. There seems to be so much emphasis these days in creating something that isn't truly there. Although this is an exciting and fun challenge for me as a makeup artist to do from time to time, it sometimes isn’t reality for most of my clients. My ultimate goal is to get clapping hands and that excited big-eyed "oh!" when my client looks in the mirror, regardless of his or her desired result.
What brief words of wisdom would you offer photographers who would be interested in utilizing your services?
Save time editing, and make your client feel like a star. Hire a makeup artist!
What do you feel are the most common mistakes women make when applying their own makeup?
Women often apply cosmetics without knowing why they are applying what they are. For example, many women wear nothing but mascara or eyeliner, when these are usually the final and least important steps in makeup, in my opinion. Many women don't understand their own beautiful facial features, or how to define or diminish the areas that most frame the face and draw attention. Also, women fall prey to product sales techniques, when they would probably benefit more in hiring a professional to help utilize and implement her makeup and product routine at home.
What is the most unusual request you have had from a client?
Ha! Well, having worked so many years in retail cosmetics, there were plenty of funny requests sent down to the counter by the operator. You can imagine! But as a professional working on my own, I think the strangest one was a request to be available to blot the sweat and refresh the faces of 200 or more elite golf tournament attendees. I couldn't make it to that one.
I know you specialize in wedding and editorial services, what other styles of makeup do you enjoy?
I have always been fascinated with period film makeup, and I guess my dream job would be to work on set with hoop skirts and powdered wigs and recreate the whole lead white and carmine thing. I also like the idea of doing continuation style makeup, for instance blood, sweat and tears that change from frame to frame. Halloween makeup is always my favorite, of course.
Do you find clients with a Diva mentality to be problematic, or easy to cope with?
I guess I have been pretty lucky that I haven't had to encounter this situation much, but I think it's because I assert myself in a way that lets my client know that they are in good hands, I am the expert. Right from the start, after I listen, listen, listen to my client, I then inform her of what I'm going to do based on her request, and then I do it.
Who inspired you to become a professional makeup artist?
My trainers during earlier years with MAC. I learned so much from them and developed a huge passion for what they did. When I first started out in department store cosmetics, I was going to school for a degree in Art or English, I wanted to teach one or both. I was almost twenty years old at the time, and was immediately in awe of a particular beautiful, smart colleague of mine who was able to mix her sense of fashion, glamour, makeup and product knowledge with outstanding wit and intelligence. I watched her go from being the best and most requested retail makeup artist in the department to become a very successful freelance makeup artist. She was ten years older than me at the time, and I thought, I want to do that when I grow up.
What product brands do you work with, and which would you choose if you could only work with one?
I use mostly all MAC in my work, but I also love Makeup Forever, Bobbi Brown, and some Stila and Benefit. I love opportunities that allow me to utilize my MAC PRO products. I'd love to work with more extreme textures such as Ben Nye or Kryolan. MAC for sure has the most makeup artist friendly products out there, and they are easy to access and affordable.
If you could work your artistry on one celebrity today, who would it be and why?
Just ONE? Agh! Okay, if I had to choose one, it would have to be Kate Winslet. She has a timeless true beauty, and facial features any makeup artist would die to get their hands on. And Scarlett Johansen -- and Natalie Portman -- and Adriana Lima. There (she smiles).
Make sure to check out the slideshow below to see some of Christi's work.
Bio info: Christi Reynolds is an award winning Professional Makeup Artist with over twelve years in the beauty and fashion industry. A professionally trained and certified former member of management for MAC Cosmetics, and a former Coordinator and trainer for Benefit Cosmetics, Christi has years of experience in almost every aspect of the beauty and fashion industry. With an eye for detail and perfection, as well as a love for every genre of makeup artistry, Christi has been inspiring and educating women, and creating beautiful faces for all of her career. She has worked with photographers and personal clients all over California, doing makeup for weddings, headshots, fashion spreads, models’ portfolios, and art shows. She has done makeup for several local pageants and fashion shows, including the Miss/ Mrs. Philippines Sacramento Pageant, and the Sacramento Emerge Fashion Show. She has also done makeup for the Sacramento Royal Court Dancers, and several local photographers for gallery shows. Her work has been featured in Sacramento Magazine, and on Good Day Sacramento. Christi is currently working with clients and photographers daily for makeup and styling for all occasions.
To contact Christi, call her at 916.799.0915, or contact her at her website Christy Reynolds Makeup Artistry.
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