Simply Gorgeous By Erin | Meet one of my Senior Portrait Professional Makeup Artists

I was priviledged to meet Erin Infantino, of Simply Gorgeous By Erin at the New Haven Pursuit 31 Retreat. She did some incredible makeup on our modeling brides, and I could not wait to ask her if she would be interested in working with some of my senior girls this year. Professional Makeup is totally the way to go for your Senior Portraits. So much so, that it is included in every single one of my Senior Collections. A professional makeup artist knows just what products to use to get your face camera-ready.

I had a a little photo shoot of my own earlier this month and was super excited to work with Erin. I had never had pro makeup done, and honestly had no idea what to expect. I was welcomed into her gorgeous Hartford home studio and was put at ease right from the start. We went over the look I was going for and she was ready to go. The result? I never want to do my own makeup again! I felt like a total rock star all day. And shouldn’t you? I mean, isn’t that half the fun of having a photo session?

So I thought I would give you girls a little interview with Erin. She shares her tips and tricks, her advice, and her passion. It will leave you wanting to play in your makeup bag. And then shop for more.

Ladies meet Erin!

Give us a little background of yourself! Have you always wanted to be a MUA? How did you get started?
I was just saying to my mother the other day that it was always in the cards for me to do makeup. I was always an artist whether I was armed with a crayon, marker, oil paints, clay or makeup brushes. I would marvel at my Barbie dolls’ makeup. I would flip through Vogue and Bazaar magazines and study the makeup on all the models. I’m a HUGE fan of the supermodels from the late 80′s and early 90′s. I would watch my mom every time she applied lipstick in the car mirror before we went into a store. Surprisingly, though, she doesn’t wear a stitch of makeup these days, yet she was my very first beauty icon.

What’s the latest makeup trend you see happening right now?

I’m in love with the neon lip colors paired with very nude eyes and cheeks. Just keep the mascara layered on so the eyes don’t get lost with those intense shades. My favorite lip of the moment is a neon coral patted on with a matte finish. NARS has some great new colors out just right for this look.

If someone gave you a makeup budget of $30 what would you buy?

I would buy my Cover Girl Lash Blast mascara, creamy concealer and Aquaphor – I slather my lips in this and its good on chapped skin. Winter skin is the enemy!

If you could go back to Age 17 and give yourself one piece of advice what would it be?

Love yourself because you are the one and only ever you that will ever walk this earth. We’re beautiful even when we don’t fit the mold. I would also give myself the advice that I did always follow; have a good skin care routine and use SPF. Your skin is all you have and makeup only looks so good as the skin underneath it.

What is your absolute must-have makeup product?

“You had me at MASCARA”! I’m obsessed with lashes; the fuller and more dramatic the better. 

What’s the number one thing you see girls doing wrong with their skin care?

They don’t wash their face morning AND night. Wash that makeup off and the day’s grime. There’s pollution in the air and all that ages our skin and contributes to breakouts. Also, girls and boys using anti-acne skin care when they only get an occasional pimple. This will strip your skin and make it more breakout prone. It’s counterintuitive but true.

What do you consider to be your best skill as a MUA?

I can make anyone’s eyes pop! Most importantly, I put the person in my chair at ease because I truly care how they feel and understand that makeup is very personal. You’re touching someone’s face and transforming them into how they wish to be viewed. That’s powerful and an honor for someone to trust you with that.

Where do you feel yourself inspired the most?

This changes. Currently I’m inspired by individuality. I see someone walking down the street with a particular look and adopt a piece of it in one of my makeup creations. 

What would you like every woman to genuinely feel? 

My hope is for girls, teens and women to stop being so critical of themselves. I want them to stop comparing themselves to others out there. There will always be someone more beautiful, smarter, stronger, richer, and luckier. The best investment you can make is in yourself. If you’re trying to look like someone else or comparing your looks to someone else, you’ll never reach your own full potential. The most beautiful look you’ll ever see is confidence and compassion. This shines through a person and comes out in their beauty. Self acceptance is true beauty. Supporting your fellow women and not picking them apart is true beauty. It takes courage to be yourself.

 

Want more? You can follow Erin on her FACEBOOK, BLOG, and PINTEREST. Be sure to head on over and check out her work. Erin specializes in gorgeous bridal makeup, so if you are getting married be sure to keep her in mind. I am so excited to add her to my Professional Makeup Team here at The Modern Lens.