MEET PORSCHE COOPER

Believe in and invest in your talent from the very beginning of your career. Taking uncomfortable risks is ultimately necessary, and you must take a chance on yourself, or else no one else will. I also supremely believe in creating your own ideal of success. This could be a certain level of financial freedom, a long clientele list, social recognition, or even working for yourself. I never define my success by anyone else's standards. What is important to me, may not be for others.

Q: What have been some of the barriers you've faced in this industry? 

My early days as a freelance artist have proven to be the most challenging. I feel that I've always had great talent, but before I built my clientele and a name for myself, I had difficulty booking work based on my talent alone. This industry is quite small and many people are not willing to take a chance on someone they don't know or haven't heard of. Photographers and directors work with their chosen crew, and people typically refer those who they've already worked with. It was quite frustrating to know that I could do the job well, but wasn't getting the work I wished for. It took time and an immense effort, but I cultivated great relationships with important people, and my career began to take off.

Q: What is a staple beauty item that we should all have in our makeup kits?

A great moisturizer! It all starts with a beautiful canvas. It's null and void if you can paint your face beautifully, but your skin is less than healthy. Knowing your skin type and choosing the correct beauty regimen to use day and night is of supreme importance. The better condition your skin is in, the less makeup you may feel the need to wear. I also strongly advise the use of an eye cream. Your twenties and thirties are the primary years to start preventing the cycle of aging and wear and tear of the skin. Be good to your skin ladies and don't forget to remove your makeup before you cleanse to ensure your skincare is able to penetrate effectively.

To view Porsche's work, visit her site www.porschecooper.com!