An Exclusive Interview with a multi-faceted woman,
who has grown successfully in each area...
Bianca Holland of Tampa, FL.
Written by: QianaNichol
I understand you were born in Boston, but raised in Florida.
-Yes, we moved to Florida (Sarasota-Bradenton-Tampa Bay area) when I was 13.
You are a mom and a wife, how do you balance your family life?
-As a female you just learn to balance it out. As much time as there is in a day is as much time that I need. I work on the same schedule that he does, I take him to school and come home and work. Then, after school I come home, help him with homework, make dinner and perform my other wife duties. When I have to go out of town I let him know, “Mommy has to go to work now.”
Do you enjoy modeling or being a makeup artist more?
-I love them equally. I know that makeup will last longer than modeling can. Modeling can only take you so far unless you become a celebrity. I can do makeup for the rest of my life.
Are you freelance or have client base?
-I am Freelance. Whoever calls me, I’m there.
What attracts you to being a makeup artist?
-The transformation. I love to take someone who thinks that they are a plain Jane and can’t pull off an outlandish look. It’s cool to see the point A to point B transformation of the same person.
The majority of this former prom queen’s training as a makeup artist has been on an on-the-job training basis. She has done weddings, photo shoots, commercials, news segments, calendars and magazines and her experience goes as far back as high school.
How does your heritage influence your work?
-I was taught a real love of all cultures and arts. That portrays into my makeup. I accept things and people, for who they are and see the beauty in everyone, even if others may not think the same. Plus, my whole family is like the UN, we have a little of every culture.
Do you think ethnic women are afraid of color, and do you find that makeup artists are afraid to use color on women of color?
-I see a lot of dark colors on women of color. At a recent shoot, I worked with a model that had the most beautiful skin in the world. We used colors that I think popped on her more than any other model. We used tropical colors on her, orange, gold, and black to give it an Indian vibe. Women of color should experiment. I am not a woman of color, but I consider myself ethnic and I love to use color. We already have color, so I think when we add color we look ever more beautiful. I think you should find a role model (celebrity) that looks like you and has your skin tone, like I’m Puerto Rican but I can’t pull off certain looks, but you can make them your own.
As an artist, I figure you look at the face as a canvas, what are your favorite features to bring out?
-The eyes. Most people are drawn to eyes, and the eyes in a photo are the most important part of you. Then the lips are second. If a girl has great eyes I like to bring them out whether they are blue or brown, they are the focal point.
Where do you get inspiration? Do you watch the top models, look at certain publications for ideas or do you experiment?
-It’s a mixture. Sometimes I see something on television and think, ’wow that might be hot.’ Especially old school, 50’s-retro trends. I am inspired by current trends, television, and magazines.
What is your process when you prepare for a shoot?
-It depends on the shoot and who is in charge. If the model hired me, then I consult with her first to see what look she’s going for, what outfits she has, how will her hair be and I go from their with the makeup. If it’s for a client (calendar shoot) everyone pretty much gets the same makeup, I give the client what they want based on the girl’s looks. If a girl has green eyes and black hair then I may want to bring out the exotic look or soften her look. I’m not going to put bright red lipstick on a bleach blonde with pale skin.
Do you have any photographers / models / artists that you would like to work with?
-I want to work with photographers that focus on beauty headshots. Kim Kardashian and Gwen Stefani are celebrities that I think it would be cool to work with, because they have a lot of animation in their faces. And of course, J’Lo.
Can you explain to ladies the difference between photo shoot makeup and ‘out on the town’ makeup?
-Your makeup on a photo shoot is extra dramatic. Most likely you may think that it’s caked on but because of the lights and flashes and the fact that your pigmentation is higher, it blows you out. For everyday makeup all you need is foundation, blush on your cheeks and eyes don’t have to be super dark. I see so many girls put on heavy black liner, extra thick black lines around their eyes and they look like someone punched them in the eye. If you are doing dark eyes, then you should do a pale lip, and light blush (a peach or pink, depending on your skin). To create a smokey eye you put the darkest shadow on the lid and smudge until it disappears. You don’t need to do a smokey eye all the time. Especially if you are going to the club and it’s summer and you may get sweaty later. Use lashes for a dramatic eye. You will be surprised at what fake lashes can do with a nice line. You’ll be good to go.
You are magazine professional as well, explain...
-I taught myself Photoshop. I was hired on a shoot as a makeup artist (for JM Magazine). They sent me the photos after the shoot and I said, “who edited these”. They asked if I could do better and I said, “Of course!” I sent them samples and they loved it. I began editing, and that position has evolved even more. Now I am in charge of the castings, photographer contracts and the artistic side of the shoots. I choose the girls, their wardrobe and the layout. I am now so involved that I hire makeup artists for the shoots. The last shoot we did, I checked the girls at the door to make sure their outfits, hair and makeup were right.
I am a model on a photoshoot and the makeup artist is a no-show. I have foundation, concealer and a few shadows, but I have no idea where to start to salvage my shoot. What should I do?
-Start with matching your foundation. You can always match your foundation by placing it on the back of your hand or neck and blending. Make sure to apply your concealer, then powdered. I would place a neutral color at the top of the lids and blend to the top of the brow. I would add a brown or light grey color shadow to line the upper and inner lids, then smudge the lower with a faint black line. Your lip depends on what you are wearing. You can do a light gloss, pink or peach, depending on how extreme you want it, you can enhance the hue, but always have gloss.
What are some mistakes you see makeup artists make when applying makeup?
-I don’t like when artists leave the “V” at the end of a model’s eye. When you apply shadow you make a “V” at the corner crease of the upper lid, creating a line. I always blend that, but some makeup artists leave it. I blend, and never leave hard lines.
Besides the Maybelline Great Lash, what are some of your other favorite products?
-MAC is mainly what I use. I use Bobbi Brown a little. I use some shadows from the Loreal H.I.P. line, which actually work like the MAC shadows if you use a primer on the lids. MAC is expensive, so if you use a base you can buy H.I.P. and it stays all day, it looks almost as if you had spent $50 bucks on it.
Some makeup artists are creating their own product lines and / or skincare lines, do you see yourself expanding to that in the future?
-That’s something I would like to do if I become bigger in modeling or with the magazine. Then, I can test the products. I want to create a line for everyday women, to let them know you don’t have to spend $100 on foundation.
Do you have any tips for removing makeup, especially eye makeup?
-I use tightening eye cream, because it’s lotion-based. If you apply it in a circular motion, you are working in the product and removing makeup at the same time.
*Celebrity Tip*
One last tip, always moisturize, even if you have oily skin always use a base no matter whether you are using MAC or CoverGirl, moisturize. And please don’t sleep in your makeup!! Especially after the club, you will wake up with eye liner smeared all over your face and over time your eyes are stained with the color.
Paint the picture for me, of your dream photo shoot...
-It will definitely have a lot of colors. Probably, with a Garden of Eden theme with apples in the hair and snakes and leaves. The makeup will reflect the bright colorful outdoors, very natural.
Booking/Contact Info.
bguadalupe@tampaby.rr.com | www.MakeUpByBiancaHolland.com | www.ModelMayhem.com/386413