Q & A | artistrhi & rhia amio FAQs

This week's Q&A post is a slight departure from the usual make-up related questions. Throughout the emails and inquiries I receive, there tend to be a few repeated questions about me and my background so I thought it would be useful to post the answers here. Whether you're an aspiring make-up artist or just looking to get acquainted, here are the top 5 questions I get asked!1. How long have you been doing make-up?
Make-up is one of those things that has just come naturally, so it’s hard to say when it all really started. I would say I’ve been doing it since my teens, but that doesn’t mean I was doing it ‘well’ back then! I technically did my first make-up for a bride when I was 14 years old, and I would give make-overs to friends and pretty much anyone who would volunteer to be my guinea pig. My kit and experience were more limited at the time, so my very first ‘clients’ were probably subjected to the heavy wing-tipped liquid liner that I liked to do on myself! With experience, I have come to realize and appreciate the vast individuality of each person I work with...and the beauty in not making everyone look the same, but enhancing individual features.

Throughout university, I worked for different make-up brands (like Shiseido, Estee Lauder and Lancome) and continued to do make-up on any willing subjects (mainly girlfriends as we got ready for a night out!). Once I received my BA in Psychology, I actually started working my first full-time real world job in the financial industry. I could never suppress my love for make-up so simultaneously I took on a part-time job as a Make-up Artist with Inglot Cosmetics and continued to freelance. It has been about 3 years since that time, and I continue to freelance with a focus on make-up for bridal, fashion and commercial photoshoots.

2. Do you do this full-time?
Yes, and well no depending on your definition of "full-time". I have appointments mainly on weekends and some throughout the week, but I do work a full-time office job from 8:30 to 5, Monday to Friday. If I’m not working on a wedding or a photoshoot, I devote the spare minutes I have to blogging, picture editing, and using social media (Twitter, Facebook) all in the name of artistrhi. In terms of how many hours per week I spend doing make-up (or make-up related things), I lose count...mainly because it doesn't feel like work!

3. Are you affiliated with a make-up brand, a blog network, etc? Do you get paid to blog?
I am not affiliated with a make-up brand nor blog network, and nor do I get paid to blog on artistrhi.blogspot.com. I get samples here and there from companies that would like their products reviewed. So other than that swag, I do not receive direct payment. I even avoid having advertisements on the site just because I don’t like the look (I find them too distracting and irrelevant!) The pay-off for me is having people read what I hope is useful information. I simply have too much information in my head about make-up to not share with others! When I talk about make-up, it's weird to explain - it just kind of flows out of me (most people that know me will testify that once you get me started about make-up, it’s hard to get me to shut up!).

4. Do you take your own pictures? What kind of camera and settings do you use?
Yes, unless otherwise credited, the pictures are taken by either my wonderfully supportive cast (of my boyfriend or sister) or myself. You will see credits assigned if the photo used is from a photographer or from a web source. To take the pics, I have a Canon Rebel xti with a portrait lens. I rely on natural light (when possible) to take accurate pictures of the make-up. If you're just starting out as a make-up artist and looking to build your portfolio, it helps to invest in a decent camera and tote it around with you to any jobs you may have to start documenting your work.

5. Do you work with a team or on your own?
Simply put, my work wouldn’t be possible without the help of a supportive cast. In terms of doing make-up, I do all of the actual application, but have someone on hand to assist with washing brushes. In terms of back-office stuff, I handle the emails, the scheduling, the blogging, taking pictures of and reviewing products for the blog, editing pictures, adding graphics, twittering, updating the facebook fan page, accounting, marketing, etc, etc! My sister is also my webmaster and graphic design consultant. There are so many others...I'm also fortunate to work with talented photographers, like Claudia and Nadia, who inspire me and make my ‘work’ look good! Also, a look isn't complete without polished hair...to which I refer talented hair artists like Trisha, CJ and Isabel. Artistrhi just wouldn't 'work' without the combined talent and efforts of all these people (and then some!)!

Hope that helps to answer some of your questions about me + artistrhi! I'm seriously flattered by the inquiries and I hope the answers were helpful....but really at the end of the day, I'm just like everyone else: an ordinary person looking to connect, working to pursue my dream and figuring out my place in the world! Thanks everyone for the love and support :)