Artist Spotlight: Selina Bautista Makeup Artist for T&M Blog

Model: Dulce Matus
Photographer: Nicola Wilson
Styling, Makeup, & Hair: Selina Bautista

My name is Selina Bautista. I am 29, born and raised in San Diego, CA. I have been a makeup artist for 5 years working in bridal, print, and runway. Right now I am a freelance makeup artist full time. I work with about 7 local photographers on a regular basis. We do pinup and boudoir, fashion and editorial, along with some commercial work and corporate headshots, as well as being a bridal makeup artist. I am also one of the Chief Makeup Artists for La Femme Lazar, which is an all female creative team here in San Diego.

How did you start in the makeup industry?

I got my start right after I graduated from beauty school. My makeup teacher referred me to my first job freelancing for Lancom. After that, I just dove into it full force. Doing weddings, booking shoots to build my portfolio, and trying to get to know as many people in the beauty and fashion industry as possible.

Did you have an artistic background growing up?

As a child, I was very much exposed to all types of art and culture: everything from going to the ballet, to the opera, theatre, and especially art museums. Ever since I was kid, I felt this connection with painting and drawing. Growing up, it was definitely a creative outlet for me. In high school I took art classes for 3 years. I studied lighting, contouring, the color wheel, all that fun technical stuff. I think all those classes totally gave me advantages years later when it came to being a makeup artist.

Did you always want to become an artist, or was it by chance that you found out you were talented in the arts?

I knew ever since I was 7 years old that I wanted to be an artist. I didn’t know what kind of artist exactly, but I knew I wanted to spend my life doing something creative. When I was 23, I took some time to figure out what I wanted to do. I threw out the idea of becoming a makeup artist but was a little scared to. Luckily my dad gave me the best advice. He said “You are talented as hell. Just shut up, and go to school already!” haha. Later that week, I signed up for beauty school.

Model: Breanna Martinez
Photographer & Styling: Nicola Wilson
Makeup & Hair: Selina Bautista

Did you have any formal makeup training?

I attended school at JE Boutique College of Beauty in El Cajon, CA which is one of the Bellus Academies here in San Diego. The makeup class was with a partnership the school had with MUD (Make-Up Designory). It was basically a month long crash course of makeup. Everything from your basic beauty applications to makeup for black and white photography, to some special fx, and how to use an airbrush. While at JE Boutique, I also studied aesthetics. I’ve been licensed since 2008 and trained with Murad. I was lucky enough to get to go the Murad headquarters in El Segundo, CA for product knowledge classes and demo classes. I took a “Makeup for Theatre” class at San Diego City College as well as taking classes and watching demos from various artists at expos like The Makeup Show.

If we took a peek in your makeup kit what would we see?

A whole bunch of different brands. I have products from Bobbi Brown, MAC, Yaby, Temptu, Makeup Forever, Graftobian, Ben Nye, and Kryolan, aside from that, a lot of brushes and a lot of false eyelashes. I’m sure there’s some glitter floating around in there also. It’s important that I have everything to create any look, whether it’s a clean natural look or something more edgy or dramatic.

What sets you apart from other makeup artists? Why would I want you to give me a makeover?

For one thing, I think my painting background helps out my application process a lot. I approach each face like a

Model: Alex Thorson
Photographer & Styling: Nicola Wilson
Makeup & Hair: Selina Bautista

canvas. It’s my job to give dimension. I don’t like to do just one type of makeup. I like working on everything. Natural looks, dramatic and glamorous, avant garde, and special fx. Its fun to be able to switch up looks once in a while. It’s an advantage in booking jobs if you are a versatile artist. I think another thing that sets me apart is that it’s very important to me that my client looks like themselves. I want my clients to have a reaction of “I can’t believe that’s me” as opposed to them not recognizing themselves at all.

What is your advice to aspiring makeup artists?

Be prepared to work. I think people don’t realize how much work it actually is. Researching products and ingredients, marketing, networking, building your portfolio, these are all important things. You can’t just decide you’re going to be a makeup artist and think everything will be handed to you. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Get your hands on as many faces as possible. It will definitely build your skills when it comes to different face shapes, tones, eye shapes, even skin texture. More importantly, be humble and be professional. Your skills and talents will only get you so far. If you are the best makeup artist, but have a horrible attitude, you won’t get any work.

How do you keep up with all the new trends and styles?

Magazines. I love Makeup Artist Magazine in particular. I think it’s important to look at fashion magazines too. I like to see what the designers looks are for the upcoming seasons, and seeing the makeup they choose on the runways. Also, social media. Everyone uses social media as a tool now to let you know what the next hot look is.

How do you incorporate them into your makeup repertoire?

Model: Dagmar Bjork
Photographer: Somnang Vann
Makeup: Selina Bautista

I like to work in whatever trend is happening. Whether it’s a variation of a smoky eye, bold lip, dewy skin. Whatever it is, I can give my interpretation on those looks when I am doing shoots or make it more wearable for everyday clients.

What part of the art do you find the most rewarding, interesting and enjoyable?

When I have the clients that are near tears because they’ve never felt more beautiful, that’s definitely one of the most rewarding. It’s amazing how something as simple as makeup, something most women just do every day out of habit, can give that boost of confidence. One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a makeup artist for me is working on shoots. There’s like this tornado of creative vibes between everyone involved and you can feel that the end product is going to look amazing. It’s so much fun!

What is the most exciting or challenging opportunity you have had as an artist?

I think the most exciting, and at the same time challenging opportunity I’ve had as an artist was the chance to get to do this full time. Before, I had always worked a regular 9-5 job while doing makeup on the side. When the opportunity came up to be able to dedicate myself to freelancing full time, I took it. By choosing to do this, you give up the comfort of that steady pay check. It’s exciting because you wake up to do something you love. Not everyone gets that opportunity. But it’s challenging because you’re always working, always networking to make sure that you are staying busy.

Model: Allie Davis
Photographer: Kristyna Archer
Makeup & Hair: Selina Bautista

What do you enjoy outside of Makeup?

Outside of doing makeup, I actually just enjoy spending time with my husband and the rest of my family. It’s amazing to have that balance of working on my career, which I am so passionate about, and spending time with the people who have given me the most support since day one.

The Makeup world is huge, If any are there any artists in the industry past or present that you look up to?

There are so many artists I look up to. Kevyn Aucoin is number one. His book “Making Faces” was the first makeup book I ever bought. I admire Bobbi Brown because she is the best at creating that look that enhances a woman’s natural beauty. Romero Jennings is a MAC artist. His work is beautiful! He creates some of the most insane eyelashes. And Megan Martinez. I just started following her work over this last year. Her work is seriously so amazing and such an inspiration.

Links:

Website: www.SelinaBautistaMakeupArtist.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/selina.makeup.artist

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SelinaB_MUA

Instagram: http://instagram.com/selinamua

Tumblr: http://selinamua.tumblr.com/

Blog: http://selinabautistamakeupartist.blogspot.com/

- See original at: http://www.tandmmag.com/artist-spotlight-selina-bautista-makeup-artist/