Kristy by Tanya
Photo by Charlie Wan (IG: houseofdayburn)
One of the most underrated talents there is: makeup artistry. Inside one of the best reaturants in Newark, Catas, I sit outside with Tanya Marques (IG: @lost1ncolours), a young makeup artist working her magic in the city. After joining this blog, I knew she was one of the first people I wanted to put in the limelight as an up and coming artist.
Being that we are no strangers, went share the same high school alumni and have some mutual friends, there were some things that caught my eye. After Tanya graduated with a degree in International Business from Montclair State University, she decided she wanted to chase her dreams and got up and moved to London, to go to one of the most prestigious makeup programs in the world, Academy of Freelance Makeup, AOFM – quite ballsy for a recent graduate changing her entire course of action.
She’s unordinary and utterly captivating. She has something I like to call joie de vivre, the happiness of life pulsing through her veins and it shows.
Today she works in MY (and slowly turning into yours) favorite place New York City, providing her makeup services to models, tourists, locals, and anyone she can to start making her mark on the industry with. I’ve taken my own liking to her, trying to snag a chance for her to work her magic every time I step foot in the city. And if you’re wondering—yes it’s a lot of fun being friends with someone who does makeup for a living, also poison to your bank account.
The spread @ Cata’s Newark
We ordered about five plates of tapas ranging from the classic patatas bravas to seared octopus and fried cheese, all well worth every penny. This is one of Newark’s finest gems. We sipped and nibbled as we delved into a little more about her and what’s her inspiration behind choosing this career and what we all want to – what’s in for Fall/Winter. Check out the full interview below:
How did you find your passion for the makeup?
I have always had an interest in makeup since high school, I would always admire the artists at the MAC counter and got my makeup done for events. After gaining my four-year education, I still had a drive to pursue makeup that I couldn’t just turn off. I did my research, I practiced on friends, I found a program, I packed my bags and was off to London town!
Where do you want your makeup career to grow to?
I would love to become someone like Pat McGrath (IG: @patmcgrathreal). She really creates art of out nothing. She does so many makeup tricks that are so out of the box, one of them being painting someone’s face with the bottom of a shoe, yet still expresses natural beauty. I also want to help others who may want to break into the industry.
Who are your favorite makeup icons?
Again, I can’t express how much I love Pat McGrath and also Kabuki (IG: @KABUKINYC).
What makes you unique as a makeup artist?
I really take the time to understand my client and make them feel comfortable. I don’t want you to feel like an alien after I do your makeup. I want you to feel beautiful in your own skin. (As cheesy as that sounds—I agree)
Jordan Ebbitt by Tanya
Photo by Lou Denim (IG: loudenim)
What motivates you to continue in this career?
Creating art on someone’s face. I look at a face as a blank canvas and everyday, I’m creating a painting (move over Picasso). It’s very rewarding to see how happy that can make my client, just the sight of seeing the smile from ear to ear after me working is my biggest motivation.
What has been your favorite moment in your artistry career thus far?
Meeting new people and learning from different artists, especially attending workshops where I can learn new things and start to incorporate different techniques. It’s always a learning process, that’s the best but also the most challenging part of the ever-changing industry.
Kristy by Tanya
Photo by Steve Fonseca (IG: sdf_r)
How do you keep up with makeup trends and styles?
My favorite is Allure Magazine they give great tips, but other than that Instagram!
Amen-There is nothing like the power of social media.
Best makeup advice for the public?
PREP YOUR SKIN.
What are some of your recommended skin care products?
Remember to clean your hands before and after you touch your face. You should ABSOUTELY use an exfoliant. I love creating my own coffee and brown sugar scrub. And please, please, please use a different eye cream and face cream for morning and night.
What are your three must have beauty products right now?
Tanya starts digging in her purse (I’m fully intrigued to find out what’s in her handbag) and whips out three products she insist I must jot down correctly and also buy for myself.
- Benefit Rollerlash mascara – lifts & separates your lashes
- Voluminous Miss Manga mascara – to be applied on top of the roller lash, give sit an extra va-va-voom
- Benefit Gimme Brow – gives your eyebrows volume, holds it in place & tints
- She threw in a bonus! Smith’s strawberry lip balm
Lastly—any upcoming makeup trends that we should keep a look out for?
Strobing. It’s using a illuminating products to achieve the same results as contouring. It primarily focuses on highlighting areas of your face that light naturally shines on (brow bone, cheek bones, nose, tip of your chin). It brings out the natural curvature of your face without feeling weighed down by layers of foundation.
The minimal makeup look and dark colors are in for fall.
So ladies, stock up on those burgundy, dark purples, and deep reds for the next couple of months.
If you are interested in working with Tanya, please email her at tanya.artistry@gmail.com.
Kristy by Tanya
Photo by Steve Fonseca (IG: sdf_r)
