Austin Ryde shares his best makeup tips and secrets for how he creates a naturally beautiful, and camera ready look!

Austin Ryde is a very well know HMU Artist and Photographer, who made his mark in the Pageant and TV world. He is a self-made man and professional, having worked in the beauty industry since he was 17 years old! He is very knowledgeable, well-known, and
accomplished, having worked with Miss USA, Miss America, Mrs. America, Mrs. United States, National American Miss, and so many more industry leaders in the Pageant World. He has worked in TV and Film, and is also a gifted host and emcee.

What will you learn in this episode:

Austin's favorite beauty products! Foundation, brushes, concealers, and more!!! Listen to find out!
What is Austin's TRUE passion?
What is the real look that helps girls look their best and WIN at pageantry.
How he balances it all, while living in LA and traveling the world.

How to reach Austin:
https://www.facebook.com/Austinrydemua
@mr.austinryde

Austin's Schedule:
Charlotte July 16-18 (photoshoots and makeup lessons)
Chicago July 19-21 (photoshoots and makeup lessons)
Las Vegas July 29-August 4
NYC area - August 9-11 (photoshoots and makeup lessons)
Las Vegas - August 17-24
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - August 30-September 2 (photoshoots and makeup lessons)
Los Angeles, CA - October 18-19
Washington - November 2-3
South Carolina November 22-23
Virginia/DC - November 8-10

BOOK with Austin:
austinryde@live.com

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

The beauty call podcast starts now

Speaker 2: 0:04

Highlighting. I think it depends on the iPhone, but super important. And I've learned you're coloring in your shape. Some people do well. If you have, you don't have to work by your shot. What do you need? Advice on beauty. Beautiful, easy casual conversations on work, life balance, diet nutrition, relationship. Join the beautiful podcast and learning side secrets to true beauty.

Speaker 1: 0:44

Hi everyone. And welcome to BD call podcast. I'm your host Janice McQueen. I have with me today, Austin Ryde who is a very famous hair and makeup artist, as well as a photographer and so much more. So I'm really excited to have him on the show and him to share his best tips and tricks to be beautiful inside and out. Welcome to the show, Austin, how are you doing great. Well, I would love for you to just tell everyone about yourself and just love to hear it from you.

Speaker 2: 1:17

I am 27 years old. Um, I started when I was like 17 and I've known you since, I mean, how old was I? Like maybe 13 or 12? I was telling Amanda that on my way here today, I was like, I've known Janice for quite a bit over almost 15 years. Um, when I was about 17, I started teaching myself how to do makeup. I thought something I grew up around, I could kind of be my own boss, travel, make some decent money, then maybe go back to school. And since then I kind of got stuck in it. And um, I've been doing it for almost 10 years and doing makeup full time recently taking up photography a couple of years ago. And um, now I feel like that's all I do is work, work, work.

Speaker 1: 1:59

Yeah. You have a pretty busy schedule and I'll show your schedule on our show notes so everybody can see that because you do stay very, very busy and you travel quite a, quite a bit. So how do you, how do you balance all of that? How do you balance your life and traveling as much as you do?

Speaker 2: 2:15

Um, it's hard. I feel like I'm still learning it and the more I travel and the older I get, the better I get at it when I was younger, it seemed easier because I was excited to be on an airplane every week, going somewhere new. And now at 27, I'm feeling a little bit older and want to be home more and want to sleep in my own bed. So it's an adjustment learning to balance that. Um, I think I know myself, if I need to get sleep, I need to, uh, make sure I'm fed more so to sleep. I'm one person that can't go without sleep. I know a lot of people can go all day without it. Or some people it's for food for them, for me, it's absolutely needed like good eight hours of sleep. And a lot of my jobs are early in the morning, so go to bed early. And then, um, I know how to travel like a pro I bring my travel pillow with me on all airplanes and I have it down to a system. Okay.

Speaker 1: 3:06

That's great. Well, traveling with all of your supplies, that's gotta be daunting at best. So you have it down to a science now, but when you started out, it probably was a little bit harder. So, you know, what is the best, I guess, temperature for those traveling with, well, things were pageant or for a show, a TV show, or just traveling in general.

Speaker 2: 3:26

Yeah. I travel with photography equipment now and makeup. When I started, I was just traveling with makeup and that was a lot easier because I just had to carry that on. And a lot of it's expensive, so I didn't want it to break. So carrying it on was the best solution for that. Now with photography equipment, that would be harder to get ahold of if I got to my destination and it was broken. So I carry on my photography equipment and I check my makeup and makeup breaks. I have to go buy something new, but most places these days have a support or a mall. Um, I don't know. I'm trying to think of the best tips for traveling with all that stuff. I think, um, really being organized beforehand is the number one thing. And I think most people probably already know that, but it's hard for us cause we ended up, I don't know about everyone else, but I want to throw everything into a suitcase. I'm like, maybe I'll need that. Maybe I'll need that. I have gotten so much better at being simple because when I was younger, I'd be like, maybe I need a tuxedo or you know, a little bit of everything. And I know, uh, when Amanda and I travel, she gets out way too. I'm like, you don't need all those outfits. So simplifying, organizing before you go. And then I'm super organized. When I pack a suitcase, I like fold everything. I usually will put like outfits together. And then usually I can condense it down to one suitcase, makeup clothes, unless I'm gone for a long time. And I just had that one suitcase.

Speaker 1: 4:45

Well, there is a method to my madness. I guess the reason why I wanted to ask you all of this is because I wanted to really pare down what your favorite tips are and what your favorite makeup is and what you use, because you mentioned before what that's of course, one of my favorite stores, I love to go in there. I actually hate to go in there because it's been too much money, but you know, I really want to talk about your favorite foundations, your favorite makeup, your favorite brushes, everything. But first before I get to that, I just have to know you started at 15 and you mentioned a word stuck. And I don't know if you meant to say that word, but you started because you're, you are, you're so gifted. So, and even though you feel stuck at it, I believe there's a calling. I think we all have our callings regardless. And you know, we can, we can talk about this some more, but I really want to know who your inspiration was at 15 is a very young age. And, you know, I remember what it was like for my son to be 15. And that's basically when he started his music career. And I remember being 15, having aspirations to be a performer. And I think that isn't a time in our life that we start to really dream and not everybody has the ability to put that into fruition like you have. So I would love to know who and what your inspiration was. And then just sort of give us that timeline of when the inspiration started and how you began your success.

Speaker 2: 6:08

Yeah, I'll be a hundred percent honest with you. I feel like I burst people's bubble when I tell them the truth behind all of this. I get asked that question a lot, but the truth is, this was never my passion. I still don't feel like it's my 110% passion. It's something that I think there were times I enjoy it. And then there's times where it's work. But when I was young and I was a teenager, I grew up around it. My mother was naturally very gifted with hair and makeup, specifically hair. I have another grandmother who is very gifted with makeup and was a Chanel makeup artist for, I want to say like 15 to 20 years. And then I have another grandmother who was a hairdresser. So I grew up around it and I grew up around beauty pageants, as you know, and I thought at that age I was always creative. I always liked like dabbling in art and stuff like that. And I thought, well, I could make it money. I can travel all, go to school here too. And then I did get stuck and I do mean to use the word stuck because I still, my passion has always been since a teenager, uh, hosting broadcasting and news. I've always dreamed of having my own TV show where I was the host. And so, uh,

Speaker 1: 7:19

You have similar dreams.

Speaker 2: 7:23

Um, and I it's no one's fault, but my own for not pursuing that a younger age, I'm 27 now. So it's 10 years of doing this and I should have pursued that dream a little bit more at a younger age, but I was also, you know, in the thick of all of a sudden working a lot, I don't think I ever saw this taking off like it has. And I'm blessed and grateful. I don't want anyone to ever mistake me not wanting to do this for not being grateful. I'm so grateful that I'm able to do this full time. And it's an industry where I don't really have to advertise, you know, there's social media that does mad advertising for me and I'm able to stay busy. So I'm blessed in that regard, but my true passion is probably news and broadcast.

Speaker 1: 8:06

So when you get on that, you know, you can easily do that. And you've worked on a couple of shows. So I know that you've done that you've been on Evine live and you know, you've been on Chris Leno's best. Have you been on any other other shows as a makeup artist or as a personality or talent?

Speaker 2: 8:23

Yeah, I'm, I'm trying to think. I feel like once you would do this long enough, you kind of forget the things you've done and totally forgot about Yvonne. It's funny story that we were there to sell a contour kit and I don't know the specific demographic of Avon, but in my opinion, I would guess it's a little bit older. And, um, whoever's idea. It was to sell contour kits to older women was not because after one showing of the contour kit, we got booted off the air and we did the walk of shame.

Speaker 1: 8:57

You're kidding.

Speaker 2: 8:59

And so they were like, yeah, we're actually pulling the product and you're not going to be able to keep selling all day. So we're like fine with all our contour kits and leaving. Luckily it wasn't my company and becomes a great company and they have found a ton of success now, but just not through, you know, just the wrong channel. Yeah.

Speaker 1: 9:18

Maybe the wrong timing. And that happens too. Gosh, every, probably every product and every person I know what's happening to me. And that's another story another time, but I definitely know what that feels like. Maybe not the being called off. Right. When you're on the shit

Speaker 2: 9:34

After our segment aired, they were like, yeah, we just didn't sell them. So we're pulling it for the rest of the day. Cause you know, that's how it works, right?

Speaker 1: 9:41

Yeah. Definitely the wrong demographic

Speaker 2: 9:44

We've done. Other shows both behind the scenes and sometimes on the shows, I'm trying to think, like I was the lead makeup artist on a show called Hollywood exes, which, um, my good friend, Shannon Moncler was a cast member and that's how I got it. And she has been such a blessing in my life because a lot of the jobs I've got in Hollywood have been through connections through her. And she's been like my biggest supporter and advocate. Um, but it's so funny because they booted they're makeup artists. That was the full time. Cause in the contract, there was only room for one makeup artist and in China's contract as a new cast member, she came on maybe third season and they said, what's your stipulation? She said, I'll do anything. I don't have any stipulations except I want my makeup Ortiz. So in order to bring her on, I had to get rid of the main mandatories and bring me on for everyone.

Speaker 1: 10:34

Oh my goodness. Drama and Hollywood.

Speaker 2: 10:40

And I was like this young kid, I want to say I was maybe 2120. And um, the women on the show, a lot of them have darker skin tones. And at first they were hesitant to let me do their makeup. But after a couple of times they trusted me. We're still friends and they've introduced me to their friends. And now I work with smokey Robinson's wife regularly through that connection. So I feel like this industry is all about who you know, and those TV shows have totally helped me establish different.

Speaker 1: 11:09

Yeah, absolutely. You never know when that opportunity is going to help you be in front of the camera. You really don't. So you just gotta go with the flow and it is a lot of hard work. So let's talk about what you're, you're obviously again, very talented. And even though you do feel like it's been something that you've done and you want to do other things too, you're very, very talented. You're very, very busy. So I would love to know what sort of makes you different. You have a style, a definitive style and it shows and in your photos it shows in person. So do you call it a certain style? Have you learned a certain style? What makes you, yeah, it's

Speaker 2: 11:54

Just such a fine line. When people say that, you know, an artist has a definitive style, it's both a blessing and a curse because you want to have that signature look where people can look at it and know that it's you, but at the same time, you never want to be stuck in the same thing over and over again, getting pageantry. It's really easy to get stuck in the same thing because the makeup is the same. And some people will like to tell other, you know, people in the pageant industry, Oh, that artist does the same thing on everyone. Whoa, what are we supposed to do on stage makeup? You know what I mean? It looks the same when everyone, unless you want me to use purple, there's only so much we can do with natural tones and making you look good on stage. But, um, I'm trying to think of what kind of gives me that definitive style. It makes me makes me different. I think honestly, one thing I've always told people is that living in Hollywood and I've lived here for so long in then working in the pageant world has definitely, uh, given me a little bit of a different style than most pageant makeup artists because I'm mixing in, in LA style with a stage makeup style and the LA style is a little bit more natural as you know, from acting and living here and the Hollywood celebrities and people here in town, they want that natural look. And then in pageants they want the full glam. So I think I always try to balance the two so that it doesn't look too scary up close. It can look good on stage and up close. And I think that's always kind of set me apart a little bit. I'm very precise and I try to be as clean as possible, um, in my application. So when people are up close, it doesn't look terrifying. You know what I'm talking about?

Speaker 1: 13:36

Yes I do. You hit the nail on the head. I know that's, it's so true when you see people and they look so great on stage and you meet them up close. You're like, Oh my goodness, they should have spiders on her eyes. It can be a little scary. So that is an, a really important, I think even a tip or trick for people that are listening that are looking to do their own hair and makeup for every day or maybe they're performing, um, or they're, they're looking just for that right style. I think for that natural look, it's so important. Now I know I do last, I'm a lot simpler in my life and you know, not that I would ever be competing again, if, but if I were to ever compete again or do any kind of stage theater, which I love doing as well, I think a more of a natural look is really invoke. So that brings us to my next question is, you know, there's so many great foundations. There's so much great makeup out there and it really is daunting. You know, even for me, for someone who's been around in the industry of performing as an actor, as well as a pageant personality, I sometimes get not confused, but overwhelmed. It's a lot. It's a lot

Speaker 2: 14:48

Today. There's a new foundation. Makeup is a huge, and it's a lot of

Speaker 1: 14:52

Bad. It's a lot of bad products. I'll have brushes. That'll fall apart on me. I have makeup, that'll crumble. I have foundation that gets cakey and it looks nasty and it's not like it is when you're in the store. So what are your recommendations and what are your favorite products?

Speaker 2: 15:08

Totally. I think, um, number one, sample everything. It's totally okay to go in and ask for a sample, ask for a couple so that you can try it a couple of days in a row. If it's hot, try it. If it's cold, try it, you know, with the weather to see how it wears on your skin, everyone's face is different. So it's never going to be the same. I wish I could recommend one product for everyone and say that it's gonna work, but it just doesn't work that way. But I do have a few big favorites that I stick to and work on most faces. I think the biggest thing that will prevent something from working is whether or not you're dry or oily. So establishing that first will really help. Um, I like Giorgio, Armani, luminous, silk. That's like my go-to. I have a couple others that are close favorites. Oh, is that your favorite?

Speaker 1: 15:54

That's what I use for my everyday. Yes.

Speaker 2: 15:57

The greatest thing about it is if you wanted to go to an event, you can layer it and build it up and it's not going to look scary either. So I think that's like a GoTo foundation for most makeup artists. Um, recently they came out with a little mirror foundation. Have you seen that? No, I love the mirror. It's really great. Yeah. The foundation is really great. It's a little bit heavier than the Armani. I think it works a little bit better on oily skin, um, for coverage, but they have pretty good colors. It feels good. Uh, it's a skincare line. So I think that they incorporate a lot of that into it so that it feels good and takes care of your skin. You're not breaking out. And then recently a good friend of mine introduced me to a Japanese brand called Suku it's S U Q Q U a. You have to order it online either from London or from, I think Japan, we found it. Amanda and I found it in Thailand a little bit too. So Asia or Europe has it, but no one in the U S um, I think you can also get it on Amazon, Amazon prime. So I really like those because they're like Armani supernatural, sheer buildable, but they look so beautiful in person and like skin. And I know that Amanda, when she went to miss USA recently, that's all she would use. She refuses to use anything, but Suku down and it's kind of her go to, so she's picky. I know that if she likes it.

Speaker 1: 17:21

Yay. Well, good recommendation. I can put that in the notes too. Um, so as far as like foundation, that's key. What about a concealer? Should you use the same brand? Should you just use a lighter version of the foundation? What are your recommendations?

Speaker 2: 17:35

I am stuck on like the same three concealers. I don't vary too much. I used to get a hard on myself thinking I need to branch out and try new things. But then the more I learned from friends of mine that are big celebrity makeup artists, they kind of shared it's totally okay to stick with your same products. If it works, it works. So my GoTo is nurse, um, both their mat and their creamy concealer. They're excellent choices. If you're oily, the mat is obviously going to be a little bit better, creamy concealer. I feel like it works on everyone. All ages comes in a tube it's really easily blendable great with the beauty blender. And then my other two favorites that are a little bit more expensive. I love the Chanel number 32, and I think 20 or 21, one is yellow. One is pink. And I think they're excellent. They're a little bit more sheer than the NARS, but they give really good coverage. It looks really pretty. It mixes well with most foundations. And then my third favorite is too expensive. But if you talk to any makeup artists that does people in Hollywood, I think it's in every single person's kit and it's, clade APOE their original stick concealer. Have you used it

Speaker 1: 18:48

That I know the brand very well.

Speaker 2: 18:51

Cool. Classic. I feel like everyone uses it and they have gray shades. You don't have to put powder on it, which is the biggest thing. A lot of people have to set their consider with powder and this, you just rub it all with a stick, kind of Pat it in with your finger and it's good to go and you really easy to touch up.

Speaker 1: 19:07

That's my favorite kind of like anything just to keep it simple. And I think as you get older too, you want to use a little bit less powder or use something translucent. So, you know, obviously you work on all ages. So is there any recommendation for, you know, the more mature skin that is maybe dryer as far as like a, maybe a powder or setting that makeup?

Speaker 2: 19:28

Honestly, the farther I get into my makeup career, the less powders I use, I become kind of antique powder. I will use a little Laura Mercier secret brightening powder, or a little bit of the Lumira number five. Is that what you do?

Speaker 1: 19:43

Yeah. I love it.

Speaker 2: 19:46

Most people know and use, I use those to set concealer spots. I don't use those to set a face. Very rarely do I set a face with a bunch of powder because truth is you don't need it. There was this idea that came around maybe within the last 10 years that you had a powder down your face with all this powder. And I think it kind of came from that Kardashian heavy glam and all these people were kicking on all this makeup, especially in pageants, you feel like you have to wear all this heavy makeup. And the truth is you don't. If you look back at, you know, the early two thousands, the miss USA is that we're winning and you analyze their makeup. It was actually a lot more natural than you would guess. It wasn't this heavily contoured, caky makeup. Some of them looked like they weren't even wearing eyelashes and now it would be like,

Speaker 1: 20:33

How dare you? I love that natural look. Really. I really do. I love seeing someone compete on stage and they just look like they're a natural beauty and they just enhance their own features. And I think that's that that's the, that you do with your makeup and it shows it really does that person needs to be approachable. I think that goes a long way in making someone very approachable too. So do you have a favorite brush or how do you prefer to apply foundation? And do you have a favorite brush for, for eye makeup? Every

Speaker 2: 21:09

Foundation I do differently. So I'm trying to think for each one, somebody use a brush, some use a beauty, blender, and a lot of people use their fingers to apply it. And I know we were just laughing about that before we started, but it's true. Like a lot of women will use their fingers and if that works, it totally works. I know a lot of makeup artists who wished they could use their fingers, but for sanitation reasons, it makes us look unprofessional. But if you're doing it on yourself, I think a finger is a great brush to use for patting that foundation or concealer. If I'm using our Mani, I fully believe in using their foundation brush that they sell. So a little pricey, but for some reason it doesn't streak or move the product around on top of the face. It really blends it in a, I don't use a beauty blender. I steer clear from a beauty blender while using Armani because I think it sucks out the moisture. And then for Suku I only use a beauty blender because I think it just makes it shear and a little bit prettier. You could use a beauty blender for Lemaire, uh, or you could use a brush, both work. Um, but I wouldn't use a beauty blender for Armani. And then for eye makeup, I have my absolute favorite brushes that Mac recently discontinued because they went all, uh, synthetic instead of natural, real hair. I know a lot of people love it, but I am not a fan of, I think it's really hard to pick up the product with them. So I have brushes that I've had in my kit for 10 years when someone offers to clean my makeup brushes for me a warn them, I'll be like, don't you ruin that brush? I can't get it again.

Speaker 1: 22:47

Just tell them not to touch that anymore.

Speaker 2: 22:51

But the Mac two 24 and the two 17 brushes are just some of the best go to eye brushes. And then recently a friend of mine told me to go check out. Um, I'm gonna say it wrong. It's a Japanese brand, I think. And it might be Hakuhodo or Hakuto have you heard of that before? They said, it's the best brushes they've ever used. And there's a store in Torrance. Um, I'm going to check it out. I haven't used their brushes, but then right after they told me that another friend of mine suggested it as well. So I'm definitely gonna have to check that out, check it out and let me know

Speaker 1: 23:24

Blasted out. So people can, I mean, I'm assuming you can walk in and buy it. I'm just a regular old person rather than a licensed makeup artist. Repetition. Yeah. I think it's opened up and then I've heard of, is it more precious? Morphe have you tried those before?

Speaker 2: 23:40

Yeah, so Morphe started right here in the Valley in Burbank. And at the time that it opened, I was living maybe three minutes from the store. So I used to go in there and it was this tiny little store and I'm still amazed. I was actually in the store the other day, how fast they've grown, they're opening up stores across the country. It's like the number one makeup line for all these young girls who are into Instagram and YouTube and it's affordable. And the thing is at first their brochures. Weren't good, but now I actually really liked them. I think they're pretty great. And they have a bunch of different brush lines within the store that offer different styles, different hairs. I really liked them. I think they were affordable, realistic. And you used to be kind of hard. People would complain about Mac brushes being so expensive and you could spend hundreds of dollars on makeup brushes. Now you can walk into morphea and you can get everything you need for less than a hundred.

Speaker 1: 24:31

Yeah. I think they're an Ulta as well. I saw the other day and Santa Monica and they were there and that was the first time I had seen them, you know, just in another store and I bought one and I liked it. I just, I was just curious, cause I used to use Mac brushes as well, and now I'm sort of expanding my horizons and trying different things. And I was just curious, you know, for everybody out there that maybe doesn't have a budget for a large kit themselves. They, they reserve that for when they have their hair and makeup done. It's nice to have really good brushes to be able to use,

Speaker 2: 25:00

Well, I think the price point and the quality, you can't get anything better. I mean, you could go buy a Chanel brush, but you're going to pay for it. Right. And I truly don't believe that the Morphe brushes or you know, about option. I think the Chanel brush is not that much better than a Morphe brush.

Speaker 1: 25:18

No, that's good to know. Um, and then you talked about different applications of foundation. So how would one know, like how would like I would, how would I know that if I were trying to apply foundation at home and how would I know just, just try different ways of applying it to see what looks the best on my skin. Is that how you,

Speaker 2: 25:35

I think everything is trial and error. When I first started using that Suku phone foundation, I would test it out on Amanda and I use the beauty blender, cause that's what my friend used it and it looked great. And then you kind of forget things. And I went back to using a brush and I started to hate it. It looks dry, it looked caky. And I was like, Oh, I hate this foundation. Then I realized she was using a beauty blender, and I stopped using the beauty blender. So now that I went back to it, it's my favorite again. So it just all trial.

Speaker 1: 26:05

Yeah. It's probably skin too. I'm sure every skin, just a little bit different when you have so many people that you work on, um, that you sort of have to be adaptable and taking care of your skin. Yeah. So that brings up a really good point because when you, especially if you're doing pageants or if you're doing a TV show and you're, if you're on stage and you're constantly doing makeup and you, you know, you're wearing tear of the skin, it's, it's hard on, hard on you even every day. You know, I can tell a huge difference because you know, our skin after just turns over. And so what is your best tip for someone to, um, to cover up like bad skin? Do you have any tips or tricks for that?

Speaker 2: 26:45

I think we are our own worst enemies and the hardest critic of ourselves. I see women all the time who complained about breaking out or they point to, is it and tell me, can you believe this is popping up today of all days and in my eyes, I'm like, I don't see anything. Um, so we're always critical of ourselves. And honestly less is more, sometimes the more you kick on over a breakout or something, the more noticeable it is. Yeah.

Speaker 1: 27:12

Browse attention to it, I guess.

Speaker 2: 27:14

I think so. Uh, obviously you always want to use like a little concealer or Pat on a little extra foundation over that spot. If you're going to an event or TV or photo shoot, uh, for photos as a photographer, I actually instruct if I do have a makeup artist work for me, most of the time I'll do my own makeup for photos. But if I do have a team work for me, I will instruct them to not try to cover it up too much because I'd rather do it in post with editing than worrying about taking on more makeup. It's going to make it harder for me to look, make it look beautiful if it's caked on, then just taking out one little blunt.

Speaker 1: 27:48

Okay, good, good. Um, good point. Good to, so you do photography. So when that started, how it was a couple of years ago, you started doing photography three years now, three years ago. So what inspired you to do that? Of course, this is the open and honest, transparent podcast. The truth is the most fun.

Speaker 2: 28:07

It's the money. I was tired of going to a photo shoot and I would make$350 for the hair and makeup and the photographer would be making a thousand. And I thought, you know what? I think I'm pretty creative. I think I can pick up on things. And I also just am a little bit of a control freak, maybe a lot. And I thought, I want to get my hands on that camera because I don't like what they're doing. I want to do it myself. Or if I was working with a great photographer, it was inspiring to want to create like that and take that, uh, artistry a little bit further. I wouldn't be able to do the hair and makeup, but I want to have complete control over the entire outcome. And it kind of seems unattainable because you think, Oh, camera equipments, expensive and learning, how am I going to learn that? And then one day I was like, what am I, what am I doing? Why am I holding back? So I just went and bought the camera and I secretly kind of was training behind the scenes. And I, as an established makeup artist in the industry, didn't want to come out with photos and have them be horrible and, you know, work my way up over years. Which, I mean, I still am to an extent, but I wanted to practice behind the scenes long enough so that my first photos weren't awful. So I did it for a while and then I released some photos and I didn't even say I was starting photography. I just posted photos instead of air, makeup and photo by me and people started to catch on and go, did you take that photo really? And so that's kinda how it started.

Speaker 1: 29:35

That's so cool. So what did you like the best or do you have a favorite? Depends on the day. Some days I enjoy

Speaker 2: 29:42

The makeup aspect some day I enjoyed the photography. I think it helps. Of course when the client or model is really photogenic or really beautiful

Speaker 1: 29:52

Angle. Yeah. I bet she's beautiful. She's my best friend. Is there a certain angle that's best for the camera for certain faces?

Speaker 2: 30:03

I think it depends on all face. Like every face is different. All faces are, you know, unique. It depends on the client you're working with. And once you warm up and do that first look, you kind of get a feel for what is their best angle. It's surprising. I will say sometimes you'll get a client and you, you know, this maybe sounds horrible, but it's the truth you think, Oh, this is going to be harder or they're not going to be as photogenic. You would be surprised who's some of the most photogenic people are. Some of the people I've met that aren't as attractive in person are incredibly photogenic and comfortable in front of the camera. And I think one of the biggest things about, you know, rather than angles, but, um, getting a good photo is all about being comfortable. So the second someone's comfortable, their photos turn out a lot better.

Speaker 1: 30:48

True. That's a good point. Having that confidence, I think is important for a lot of things and being, being comfortable. Um, and then, you know, I'll add this and you probably already know this is when I ever work with anyone that's getting photographs done. And they allow me to come into that session. I always say, have something that you're thinking about or someone you're thinking about, especially as an actor, if I go in and have a photo shoot done, and I want a simple headshot, I can tell when I don't have something or someone that I'm thinking about and my eyes look more vacant. So I don't know if that's something that you, you tell your clients, you probably can bring that out in them by talking to them and just make them feel comfortable and alive. But you know, that's my big pet peeve. When I see vacant eyes, I want to see someone with life. That's really thinking about somebody.

Speaker 2: 31:38

Yeah. I feel like so many people, like I said are their own worst enemies. And so there's just too much in their head. Yeah. The second you relax and you just let go and trust the photographer. You're going to get a lot better photos. And just knowing that, you know, you're in good hands and you went to the photographer for a reason, no matter who it is, and they're gonna do their job and you just trust them, like,

Speaker 1: 31:59

Okay, so you obviously can just paint a beautiful palette on someone's face and make them gorgeous. And, and there's always the, and of course this is not about skincare, but you probably have some favorite products that you'd like to see your clients use, or maybe as a primer that you, I would love for you to share.

Speaker 2: 32:17

Yeah, there's this. Well, I didn't use to care about skin prep. I thought, you know, pageants, you just keep that on there. And when I started, I was a lot heavier handed and I would just go right to the makeup part. But I think as I've gotten older and learned more and worked more in Hollywood, you learned skin prep is if not the most important part of the makeup, because everything laying on top of it's gonna look so much more beautiful. If you're taking care of your skin and your skin is going to look better. If you just take care of it on a regular basis. Uh, Amanda and I talk every day, it's it feels like when we get asked this question, what is the best beauty product to take care of your skin? And a hundred percent it is water drink a ton of water. So before you get to your photo shoot or your makeup artist take care of it by drinking a ton of water morning and night, uh, if you think you've drank enough, drink more, I think it really, really works. And then be washing your face morning and night. Never go to sleep with makeup on really do a good job at cleansing your face. And then last, when I get to the client, I like to moisturize. Even if they're oily, I'll still moisturize with a moisturizer that maybe is mattifying eye cream under the eyes, so that it's not dry. You can always tell when someone has, you know, that dry kind of like you're rotated underwrite. And so it's really good to put something smoothly underneath her. So one of my favorites has banana bright eye cream from Oola Henriksen and you can get that at Sephora. It was sold out for awhile. You couldn't get it anywhere because so many people loved it. And then I'm trying to think of what I use. I use a couple of different things on the face, maybe embryo Elise, which is a great French moisturizer. Have you used it yet?

Speaker 1: 33:58

We use that. I use that most recently and I've really loved it. I loved it. And I was surprised at how much I loved it. Where'd you get it? Um, and that place down in Torrance, I got it through a friend though. So I didn't know. I don't know how to get there. You want to tell me where it is, but I got it through a friend there and I, and I got back just a little sample of it and I absolutely love it's true because I'm extremely dry. So every single thing that's just, my skin just sucks in it. So this particular, um, moisturizer was a really good moisturizer slash

Speaker 2: 34:34

Yeah. And that is the thing. I don't use a lot of primers per se, but if you moisturize and eye cream and you don't exfoliate lips explore your face. Those to me are prepping the skin enough for makeup applications. Primaries can sometimes be a little bit of a scam. In my opinion, I've tried them. I'll try them as a guy. I don't wear makeup. So it's hard for me to tell you whether or not it works. You guys would have to tell me,

Speaker 1: 34:57

Well, come on, you've tried it on.

Speaker 2: 35:01

I'm just going to go with like makeup on as if I'm hosting something or on television. And even that it's like the tiniest little bit of skin tint from like Glossier. I don't know if you're using it, the glossiest stuff, but they have really great products, as well as the natural,

Speaker 1: 35:15

Nice lots of great products and great ideas for people of all budgets, which is important. So the last, I promise the last makeup question and I, I really could go on forever and every hour. There's so many great questions out there and I'm sure I'm missing some that people probably want to know, but that's okay because they can always, you know, reach out and to you. And maybe there's an opportunity for you to come back and maybe talk about a new hosting game or something you're doing, which is always something that will be great for you. But if someone wants to accent their eyes, what would be your best tip or what do you do to make the eyes really pop? And then a second half of that question, cause I love part one, part, two questions myself. Um, what is your best feature to highlight whenever you're doing someone's face?

Speaker 2: 36:04

Um, for highlighting eyes, I think it depends on the eye color and the eye shape. That's super important to kind of learn your coloring and your shape. Some people do well with a lot of lash. I think if you have like a hooded lid, you don't have to wear a ton of eyeshadow. You don't have to return the violator. That's another common misconception when it came to eyes over the years in pageants that you needed all this eyeliner and everyone's wearing this thick block, winged lighter, not necessary. I cannot tell you how many clients I've sent on stage with almost no liner, but a very full eyelash. And that looks just as good. And that really opens up the eye, if not more, because it's not closing it up with a bunch of eyeliner, right? But there are some people who look better with a smokier. I haven't thought of eyeliner. So it just depends. You kind of have to learn what your eye shape and color is. Obviously certain colors are going to work best on blue eyes or green eyes, green eyes. I use a lot of purples. Um, blue eyes are great with brick or like orange tones. So it just depends. And uh, these days the brand Charlotte Tilbury, have you looked at Charlotte Tilbury makeup, it's really cool. She markets and sells her products almost specific to your eye color. So you can buy almost a kit at the department store with eyeshadows liners and everything all together in a bundle that's targeted specifically for your eye color. So that helps. And it's all in big displays right in the department store. So you have to check it out.

Speaker 1: 37:26

Uh, first time I saw her was in, in England cause my husband's from England and I thought that's a really cool product. And now we're starting to see it of course, here in the States, which is great. So I'll have to check that out. And that's a very affordable brand too. I think we're fairly fortunate. Yeah.

Speaker 2: 37:42

Middle of the road there, they should have some pricier products, but she actually, from my understanding, I could be wrong. She worked and helped Tom Ford develop his makeup line and then she went and did her own. And so a lot of the products are very similar without having to pay the Tom Ford price. That's good. Yeah. So what's your favorite feature? My favorite feature didn't used to be this, it used to be eyes because I think when you get into makeup, that's kind of the fun part, but now it's skin. I just love doing skin. If someone has that glowy pretty skin, that's kind of the first thing I notice. And I think there's a trend with her right now to have that perfect. You know, not to contour, not too many harsh lines, rosy cheeks, warm bronzer, but all super blended and still glowy. So you can master that, that I think that's what pops the most.

Speaker 1: 38:29

Great. I love that. I agree with that. So I have to ask you a couple of fun questions. Of course, the first one is what do you like best about pageantry, but then I have to follow up with, what do you like least about passions? I know I I'm feeling you. I really am feeling you let's start with, start with the best

Speaker 2: 38:56

Kind of an addiction. Isn't it? Like you get addicted to the industry and you want to follow it and you care about people, so you want them to succeed. And so you get stuck in it and then you were like, Oh, I hate this. I want out of it. You need to run as far away as I can. But then you're like, wait, there's part of it that I kind of like, and I get teased by Amanda all the time. Whenever I'm like checking, you know, a pageant that's going on. And I'm trying to look at who won. And she's like, are you looking at a pageant? And I'm like, yeah,

Speaker 1: 39:22

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 39:24

Our life will be past this. My favorite thing is some of the people and my least favorite is some of the people. I feel like some of the best people I've met and friendships I've made over the years have been through pageants in one way or another. And then also some of the worst have been some of the people. And it's really disheartening because I think sometimes I get labeled as too opinionated or, um, people will like to say I'm mean, and I'm not mean I just didn't passionate. And when I cared about someone or think I'm friends with someone and then they show another side of themselves to you, it's really disheartening. And I get more hurt than I think other people do because I'm more invested. And I really trust and think that I'm friends with someone. So I think it's important to remember that, that, you know, you get invested in these people and if they show you another side of them that you're not proud of, or you don't agree with, it's very disheartening, but some of my best friends have been through pageants. And like I said, my friend, Shannon Walker, she and I had met through pageants maybe when I was like 18, 19 years old. And she and I got off on the wrong foot and we're both very fiery personality types and we kind of got into it and we didn't really know each other, but we learned that we got into it because of a third party that was kind of like loving the drama and pitting us against each other. And when we found that out, we instantly bonded and we were like, wait a second. We actually love each other. And ever since then, she's been my biggest supporter and friend and helped me with so many different things and connections outside of pageants. And that never would have happened without pageants. So I'm really appreciative.

Speaker 1: 41:06

Yeah. And I think they can intertwine. And I've, you know, I'm like you, I, most of my, a lot of my friendships come from pageantry, but I too have been disappointed throughout the years. And there's always that person that does want drama. And it, you have to just sort of remove yourself from that and remove that person from the equation and make life wonderful again, because they, it does intertwine with the things that you want to do and it can help with that as well. Yeah. So, um, you know, really, really quickly I have to ask, did you and Amanda meet through pageantry? Obviously she's sitting right here and she's absolutely gorgeous. Ms.[inaudible] well, she's here because we want to get her on the podcast soon too, but she's absolutely gorgeous. And you guys make a beautiful couple. So you have to tell our listeners how you met and how you I'm assuming fell in love. Yeah. You want to tell her me? Well, our stories are a little different, like my perspective compared to her perspective. Well, Austin says that he fell in love with me. The moment he met me,

Speaker 2: 42:20

That sounds dramatic, but it's true. I was like in love the second I met her. And not only is she beautiful, but she's equally sassy and equally sweet. Like, there's something about her. That's so sweet and endearing. And then she'll spit out these little sassy comments or kind of get it back to you. And I'm a person that I need that I can't be with someone who's too nice. And she is the nicest person, but she also, you know, give it back to me in a way that's comical and fun lighthearted, but you know, gives you a hard time a little bit. And um, yeah. So the second I worked with her, I fell in love with her, but she had a boyfriend. So I thought that that was never going to happen. I thought this girl lives in Ohio. She has long time boyfriend, I guess I'll just be her friend. I started dating someone else that I actually met that same day. What else? We both met that same day. I started dating. We remained friends. We would talk here and there. And yes, we did meet a pageant, which I don't tell. I mean, it's not a secret, but I don't want anyone to ever think that I was like inappropriate with me.

Speaker 1: 43:29

No, me and Austin were good friends at first. So we always have good chemistry, I think. Um, but I did have a boyfriend at the time and he was far away across the country and I was like, this is never going to happen. But, um,

Speaker 2: 43:41

You thinking that, cause you didn't like me. You had no idea that I liked you.

Speaker 1: 43:45

I liked you. But as a friend and I mean, like I said, we always had chemistry. Like I really enjoyed talking to you, but I also think I wasn't like looking for a boyfriend cause I had a boyfriend. Um, but then after me and my boyfriend broke off and we started talking again, I did like you and I was always like drawn to you. And I think subconsciously, maybe I was, you know, wanting to be with you, but I cut it because I had a boyfriend.

Speaker 2: 44:09

It's kind of funny. We are always teased by our friends cause we've broken up and gotten back together a few times. Not anytime recently, but in the beginning of our four years together, really hard. Yeah.

Speaker 1: 44:22

Education is everything. And we were at different points in our lives. I was in college and he was older working full time traveling. So it just,

Speaker 2: 44:29

But with that, we couldn't stay away from each other. And the longer we're together, you do cert to admit a little bit that maybe she did like me and she didn't realize it.

Speaker 1: 44:38

Yeah. Yeah. I'm like, why would I always call me? I don't know. It's hard for girls and guys to be friends. I think there's, you know, there's always an underlying and history, which is a good thing. I think that's natural. And that's how, you know, God intended it to be. But it's wonderful that you were able to finally connect. And I think it's all in God's timing when things are meant to be. Right. And so officially, since you broke up with your boyfriend, you guys have been together officially not broken up at all. How long now?

Speaker 2: 45:15

Oh, well our breakups were like short and immature. We haven't been there yet.

Speaker 1: 45:25

[inaudible] usually it's the guys

Speaker 2: 45:28

We've been together off and on for four years, two years.

Speaker 1: 45:35

Well, that is wonderful. And you're in Los Angeles for four now for good. Right?

Speaker 2: 45:42

Those Amanda's back and forth between Utah, Ohio, and Los Angeles. I tried to get her to come out and visit me as much.

Speaker 1: 45:48

Aw, well you, well, it is nice out here. It really is. My end goal is acting. So at some point you have to be LA to hire when you get here for that, for sure. It's, it's hard. I mean, there's a lot of things that happen in other parts of the country, which is wonderful, but this is the hub. If that's what you really want,

Speaker 2: 46:10

Even if you try to get away and move freer and I ended up back,

Speaker 1: 46:15

Oh yeah, this is where everything is. Well, it's so great to see you again, Austin and see that you're flourishing. And I really do wish and hope for you that you get to do everything that your heart desires. You're so young. And even though an LA, for those of you who live in LA, you know what I'm talking about, that you knew when you approached the three zero, it's scary. And you know, when you get into, when you get older and older, it gets scarier and scarier. But if there's anything that I'm hoping that the show teaches everybody, is that it's or helps everybody understand, is this never, ever, ever too late to, um, reach for your dreams and the dreams never expire and that it's okay to do the things that you love and do the things that come your way that you're meant to do that, that you're gifted at. Like, you know, you're so gifted and it's just meant to lead you onto the path that you want to do. I really do feel that I really do. So it's been wonderful seeing you and Amanda. I do hope I have you on a future shows a lot of great things that we sort of preliminary talked about that I think would be good to talk about in a future episode. So thanks so much for joining us.

Speaker 2: 47:24

Thank you for having me. Thanks. So for listening, make

Speaker 1: 47:30

Sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram at beauty call podcast and subscribe rate and review us on iTunes. Thanks again for listening.

Speaker 3: 47:56

[inaudible].