It's that time of the year again. The North American Hairdressing Awards Ceremony or NAHA is here. Before we kick off the celebration, get to know our finalists for this year's competition. These uber-talented artists invested considerable time, talent and energy into their entries. Meet the fabulous five finalists of the Make-up category, Kate Albright, Janell Geason, David Maderich, Gina Comminello and Katelyn Simkins.
Don't forget to tune in on July 14, 2013 at 10pm EST for the EXCLUSIVE live broadcast of the 2013 NAHA Awards Gala at modernsalon.com/naha. And be sure to join the conversations on twitter with the hashtag #nahalive.
KATE ALBRIGHT
What did you do when you found out you were a NAHA 2013 finalist? Who did you tell/call first?
"I remember holding my breath as I waited, counting the seconds until the official announcement. Seeing my name and collection appear on the screen, was so surreal for me. Tears of joy flooded to my eyes, I couldn't believe it! I immediately called my photographer, Anthony Parmelee, everyone who was involved in the shoot and my parents."
Describe your inspiration, vision and theme for your NAHA entry.
"For my collection I really wanted to create something nobody had seen before. My inspiration was a lot of bold geometric shapes and contrasting colors for this look. I used a more modern take on tribal looks for my vision. I really wanted these images to bring powerful emotion and evoke thought."
How has entering NAHA made you a better Makeup Artist?
"It's such an honor to be a finalist for NAHA. I'm only 19, so I never thought it would be possible for me to have such an incredible opportunity so early in my career. NAHA will open so many doors for me to grow in this industry and meet some of the top professionals."
What is (and when was) the most NAHA-worthy work you have ever created for an actual paying client?
"Most of my days are spent in the salon doing hair and makeup as well as a few other more commercial jobs. I really get to do some of my most 'NAHA' worthy work doing photoshoots at any chance I can."
What year did you first enter NAHA? Who helped or inspired you?
"This is my first year entering NAHA. I was selected to attend Beacon in 2011, and from there I was introduced to some of the top industry professionals as well as past NAHA winners and finalists. After that experience, I was determined to achieve my dream of becoming a NAHA finalist."
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JANELL GEASON
Aveda
What did you do when you found out you were a NAHA 2013 finalist? Who did you tell/call first?
"I called my friend, Allen Ruiz, who was also nominated as a Hairstylist of the Year. We worked together on his shoot. I texted my colleagues at work and friends who worked on my shoot and then called my mom."
Describe your inspiration, vision and theme for your NAHA entry.
"I was influenced by the trend of a nostalgic classic beauty that I am seeing these days. I drew inspiration from vivid colors but applying them in retro inspired ways. This collection celebrates a women's beauty and love for rich, intense color."
How has entering NAHA made you a better hairdresser?
"It has made me a better makeup artist as it has pushed me to create my own artistic vision, especially this year as I didn't have to enter with a hairstylist to be nominated. I also loved that we had to send in our work before and after it was re-touched. I think this is great as it shows what the artist can really do."
What is (and when was) the most NAHA-worthy work you have ever created for an actual paying client?
"This was created for Aveda's A/W Neo Goth Collection."
What year did you first enter NAHA? Who helped or inspired you?
"In 2008 my friend, Maureen Anlauf, who had entered many times and won, asked me to do makeup for her shoot. I was completely new to NAHA. We entered the next two years. She and I won both years in different categories. I learned from her how to tell a story with the images."
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DAVID MADERICH
What did you do when you found out you were a NAHA 2013 finalist? Who did you tell/call first?
"I worked on numerous 2013 NAHA entries, and I was overjoyed that many of them were nominated. At the end of the video, I realized I was nominated, too! I was happy and humbled simultaneously because my fellow makeup artists had outstanding entries."
Describe your inspiration, vision and theme for your NAHA entry.
"I was at a flea market in my East Village neighborhood and I came across an old Donna Summer album that featured a tight close-up of the disco queen singing into a microphone. I loved the energy and the divine decadence of the photo. At the shoot, Avian King, my hairstylist, and I started out with a disco Studio 54 feel, but we quickly realized it wasn’t working. In a matter of minutes we changed the hair and makeup and instructed Snow, the model, to laugh and have fun – and it was magic. What did I learn from this- it’s important to be open to change and not get locked into a single idea."
How has entering NAHA made you a better hairdresser?
"As a makeup artist, NAHA has made me a better artist in many ways – including thinking outside the box and opening myself up to new ideas. Working with hairdressers on their entries, I have to remember that although makeup is extremely important to the shoot, it can’t take away from the hair, which is the star. For that reason, I am so happy that NAHA recognized the importance of makeup and created a separate category focused on makeup."
What is (and when was) the most NAHA-worthy work you have ever created for an actual paying client?
"One of the most creative shoots I worked on was for a beauty magazine. The editor wanted me to play with color and texture. I don’t do extreme theatrical science fiction style makeup for the sake of being 'creative' – my girls always have to have an element of 'pretty'. That said, I applied feathers and flower petals from my own window boxes to form a mask around the model’s eyes. This makeup application sums up my style perfectly – simple and edgy at the same time."
What year did you first enter NAHA? Who helped or inspired you?
"My first NAHA entry was in 2010 with Nicholas French. Nicholas’s talent as well as his quest for creative perfection inspired me. What impressed me about Nicholas is his lack of ego and acknowledgement that it takes a team effort to create a beautiful image."
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GINA COMMINELLO
The Look Salon
What did you do when you found out you were a NAHA 2013 finalist? Who did you tell/ call first?
"When I found out I was a 2013 NAHA finalist in the category of Makeup Artist of The Year, I was literally speechless. When I regained my ability to speak, the only word that escaped me was 'really?'And I must admit, it was in a very high-pitched tone. I called my boyfriend, being a professor, he immediately researched all we needed to do next like hotel, tickets, etc. All I kept thinking as he spoke was how fortunate I am to be recognized by an affiliation such as NAHA for doing something that pleases me and I am most passionate about.”
Describe your inspiration, vision and theme for your NAHA entry.
"I’ve always been inspired by the 1960's, especially when it come to makeup. Icons like Veruschka von Lehndroff, Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy wore the look very well. My vision is about enhancing one's eyes and creating a bold statement to which draws people into them. When entering NAHA 2013 for Makeup Artist of The Year, my theme was to create a modern-mod look, a re-birth of the 1960's makeup. My vision of modern-mod makeup is polished retro-chic. It's up to date, wearable, but still dramatic."
How has entering NAHA made you a better Makeup Artist?
"I believe experiences further enhance our passions. I was going through a tough time, but doing makeup, my ultimate passion, kept me strong and centered without realizing it at the time. Entering NAHA 2013 Makeup Artist of The Year made me stop, reflect, embrace and understand the realization of my passion. Thank you NAHA."
What is ( and when was ) the most NAHA-worthy work you have ever created for an actual paying client?
"I would have to say the many photo shoots, weddings and event makeup I do daily and weekly on paying clients have been NAHA-worthy work."
What year did you first enter NAHA? Who helped or inspired you?
"This is my first entry into the NAHA awards. Sara Ford, who is a very talented photographer, and Charlie Price, who is an amazing artist and a wonderful person, inspired me to enter NAHA."
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KATELYN SIMKINS
Katelyn Simkins Makeup Artistry
What did you do when you found out you were a NAHA 2013 finalist? Who did you tell/call first?
"It's funny actually, I was celebrating my 30th birthday at The Mandalay Bay in Vegas. My birthday is on April 30th and I was thoroughly distracted by the weighty task of lounging by the pool. I checked my phone later on that afternoon and found a text message from my friend Charlie Price saying congratulations. It was a very good day to say the least!"
Describe your inspiration, vision and theme for your NAHA entry.
"I was obsessed with a color palette I had come across on a new spring dress I had bought, and I was desperate to translate that palette into makeup. So one night I got a team of my favorite local talents together and we stayed up late filling my bathtub with milk and driving my cats wild. It felt nice to delve into a project that is functioning on 99 percent creativity and ingenuity instead of so much planning and orchestration that can often cloud the creative process."
How has entering NAHA made you a better hairdresser?
"Entering NAHA has made me a better makeup artist in a lot of ways. I have met some incredibly talented people through the process, and I believe that creativity breeds creativity. I feed off watching and absorbing the amazing work that NAHA surrounds me with."
What is (and when was) the most NAHA-worthy work you have ever created for an actual paying client?
"Some of my most rewarding work is for clients that are using the guise of fashion to push forward. I did an ad campaign for Goodwill that I am pretty proud of. It's nothing wild and crazy, just clean makeup for a good cause."
What year did you first enter NAHA? Who helped or inspired you?
"I believe the first year I entered was in 2009. I did makeup for some NAHA entries for Charlie Price. He introduced me to the world of NAHA, and this year I had the opportunity to fully utilize some of my other talents in Art Direction and Production. Following an idea from conception to execution is a process I revel in."
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