D'angelo Thompson, owner of Esthesia Productions, is a professional makeup artist with more than 19 years of extensive background in bridal makeup, celebrities, corporate, fashion, film, and television.
He has worked on everyone including Heidi Klum, Scarlett Johansson and Denzel Washington. Some of his corporate clients include Gap, Disney, Macys.com, L'Oreal, and Banana Republic. He also offers comprehensive makeup seminars ranging from basic private makeup lessons at your home to specialty classes and pro-seminars.
Q. How did you get your start?
A. Actually, I've been doing makeup for 19 years. I got my start in high school participating in plays, studying dance, and being exposed to the arts. I also explored my technique with my friend Felicia and her sisters, it was hideous (laughing)! From there, I went to art school in NYC (Pratt Institute) and started dabbling in makeup. My good friend Sonia suggested that I get a job at a makeup counter to make extra cash for school. Soon after, I met my mentor Alfred Fornay, who was the International Artist for Fashion Fair Cosmetics and Revlon. He taught me to respect and listen to my clients! From there, I tested with photographers and started networking!
Q. Your client list reads like a Who's Who of the fashion/entertainment industry. What do you enjoy more, doing fashion editorial work for a major campaign, or making a fabulous New York socialite look beautiful for a gala?
A. I enjoy and love all facets of the business, but I really enjoy doing socialites and celebrities for special events. I feel like the fairy godmother with a magical wand—the makeup brush!
Q How do you define beauty? What inspires you?
A. I define beauty as coming from the inside out! I am inspired by everything around me from the sounds of birds, flowers, art exhibits, dance, opera (it’s magical) to someone's eyes, lips or skin.
Q. What makeup trends do you wish would come back? Are there any that you wish would go away?
A. The makeup trend that I wish would come back is bottom eye lashes, at least for a fab night out! The trend I'm over is brown neutral palettes (natural earth tones). To me, earth tones are colors from all environments: tropical, desert, jewels, etc...
Q. What do you do when you have a client that wants a look that you know will not work for her?
A. If a client insists on a certain look that I do not agree with, I show her what she wants and then I explain to her what I think is best and we meet somewhere in the middle!
Q. Okay, be honest. Do we have to spend a lot of money on makeup, or will drugstore products do the trick?
A. You do not have to spend a lot of money on makeup, but there are products I prefer that range from drug store to high-end retailers. What I seek out the most is true pigment. You want to know that the color you see in the packaging is the actual color and that it wears well!
Q. What is your favorite color? Why?
A. My favorite color is orange. It’s very inviting and warm. In my makeup palette, I use a lot of corals. It works on every complexion if applied correctly!
Q. As a celebrity makeup artist, you are privy to so much juicy information and gossip. How do you keep all of those secrets? How important is client confidentiality to you?
A. Gossip is such a deadly practice and it always comes back to haunt you, which I've learned in my own personal life, so the key for me is, whatever information I am privy to while I'm with a client stays right there in the room! You should always put yourself in their place and that normally keeps me in check!
Q. Women always want the "smoky eye" look. Can you give us some tips on how to make it look fabulous?
A. "Smoky Eye" is a common look women want, especially for special events. My main advice or tip is always use an eye shadow base all over, build shadow on the lower lid by pressing and rolling with brush (for longer wear). Be sure to use eye liner close to lash line and smudge dry shadow over it (top and bottom) and use two to three coats of mascara (individual lashes are always a great addition)! Keep in mind that to create a smoky eye, you can use more than just black eye shadow; you can use wine, navy, jewel tones, etc. Get creative! Have fun!
Q. I know you have just written your first book on beauty and makeup tips for the everyday woman. Tell us about the project and why you did it.
A. My book is still a work in progress. I plan to shoot more women over their 50s and a few teens. This is a labor of love because beauty for me comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes from all over the world, and this book project celebrates that!
Q. Please give me three ways an average woman can look like a star. Give us some beauty secrets.
A. To look like a star, it’s all about glowing skin. Products like Cetaphil or Embryolise under makeup is amazing! Also, I love lip stains under lipstick. And last but not least, lash extensions can change your world!
Q. Your skin is beautiful! What do you do to look so good?
A. Thank you, Erica. I drink lots of water, moisturize day and night, and I use SPF 30 daily---it’s a must!
Q. I know that your company, Esthesia Productions, offers makeup seminars. What do they consist of?
A. The seminars cater to the need of the students/clients depending on their skill level. I teach technique and the business of makeup!
Q. It seems that nowadays, everyone wants to be a stylist or work in the beauty industry. Do you think that reality TV gives people a watered-down version of what a makeup artist really does?
A. Reality TV is not reality, it is edited reality and sometimes the drama is coaxed. As a working makeup artist in the real world, you don't want to bring personal drama to the set. You are constantly networking with agents and bookers--you're shooting, testing for Web sites, and your portfolio. There is no need to be ultra dramatic. As a professional, you must know how to work in many mediums and give your clients what they ask for. Flexibility is the key. I learned about seven years ago that it's important to be a diverse artist because when it's slow in one part of the industry, you have contacts and can work in other parts. We are all stars! We just have to keep pushing forward and not get wrapped up in what and who you've done!
Q. When I was a little kid, I loved Ms. Piggy from the Muppets. I thought she had great style. But now as an adult, I think she wore too much makeup and her jewelry was gaudy. If you could give a cartoon character a makeover, who would it be? What would you do?
A. Hmmm... LOVE Ms. Piggy! My pick would be Wonder Woman. I would make her hair bone straight like Cher (the Vegas years with Sonny), dewy skin, do a smoked-out cat eye, lots of lashes, soft cheek color, and a nude lip color with a hint of gloss in the center!
Q. If you weren't doing makeup, what else would you do?
A. If I weren't a makeup artist, I would own a contemporary art gallery or high-end shoe salon!
By Kelly S, May 24, 2009
My mother really never wore makeup and so she never really taught me how to apply it. Everything that I have learned is from my friends. However, I can not seem to master the art of eye makeup. I have no idea to put on eye liner or which kind to use. How would you suggest that someone learn how to apply makeup?
By Amy E, Jun 06, 2009
Erica ,you seem like a great person. I like that you keep the things you hear to yourself. Being great at make-up is awesome but being a person people can trust is even better.
By Karyn Polewaczyk, Jun 15, 2009
As the interview points out, makeup application is about having fun and experimenting - my mother didn't wear (and still doesn't) wear makeup, yet I love it. I've learned what works and what sinks by trial and error, and keep in mind that what works for a friend may not work for me. For example, I can't pull off a smokey eye - it makes me look like a zombie - but love a classic cat eye with a bit of liquid liner and light coat of mascara. The best part of all is that it washes off!