MEET PORSCHE COOPER

Name: Porsche Cooper

Occupation: Makeup Artist

Years in the Industry: 11

Q: When did you first learn that you had this amazing talent?

I have had an affinity for makeup and all things beauty since I was a young child watching my Mother beautify herself. I started doing makeup on my friends in high school, and started working professionally as a makeup artist during my collegiate years. Once I found my love of makeup, I decided to forgo law school and focus on becoming a makeup artist.

Q: What has been the most exciting moment in your career?

There have been two pivotal moments in my career-when I first moved to NY to pursue my career in artistry on the ultimate level, and secondly, when I decided to leave my growing management career with a notable brand to embark on my freelance career. I've worked with great talent along the way, but taking a chance on myself and following my dreams has been the most exciting and rewarding.

Q: What is your perspective on this past summer beauty looks?

Thank goodness makeup is getting back to clean, organic beauty. There definitely was a makeup renaissance that happened within the past several years. I'm definitely enthused that a lot of women have grown an affinity to wearing makeup, but the dramatic techniques have gone quite far. This past season was about choosing a focus feature-dramatic eyeliner colors, or candy colored lipsticks...but not both. Skin was kept minimal and rich looking by maintaining a natural glow with soft contouring and highlighting.

Q: We loved your work for the Fluff Spring/Summer shoot! What was your inspiration?

Each models personal beauty served as the ultimate inspiration, but their voluminous manes gave me a 70's vibe, so I focused on giving them sultry eyes, each in a different tone. I wanted to achieve an overall modern-luxe feel, so I kept the skin flawlessly natural with a subtle touch of radiance on all the high points of the face.

Q: What advice do you have for aspiring makeup artists?

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!