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Role Models: Christine Kolenda

q. How did you get your start in make-up artistry? a. I had been working in insurance for a long time, and then realized I really didn’t like that industry. I started out taking some courses in image consulting. I liked the make-up end of it and went to school for that, received my esthetics

by Staff
September 28, 2012
3 min to read

q. How did you get your start in make-up artistry?
a. I had been working in insurance for a long time, and then realized I really didn’t like that industry. I started out taking some courses in image consulting. I liked the make-up end of it and went to school for that, received my esthetics license and continued taking lots of make-up classes. Eventually I started teaching. Now I teach for Colorstrokes Cosmetics and Brushes by Karen. My business is inside the New York School of Esthetics.

q. How has the industry changed?
a. I teach the mineral make-up classes—I love that because the make-up is so amazing. If you’ve been in the make-up industry over the last 10-20 years, to see these products come out and to be able to teach them, it’s unbelievable. I teach a lot of estheticians as well and sometimes they are so hesitant to try it, but they don’t have to be. The mineral make-up makes it easy to have a fabulous result. As a make-up artist, I always tell students that everyone is beautiful—sometimes we just use make-up to help show how beautiful the clients really are.

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Christine Kolenda
Dare To Be Beautiful
Tarrytown, New York Vocation: educator Age: 49 Years in Business: 20 Specialty: make-up and permanent cosmetics Favorite Spa Service: Massages are always great and facials are wonderful. Either one, I’m always game! Favorite Product: The Colorstrokes mineral make-up is a favorite for me since I never cease to get compliments on my skin, and I know it’s the make-up! Advice for new make-up artists: Learn as much as you can. People going into make-up should learn about esthetics because it’s great to know both. If you go into skin care, learn how to finish your client with mineral make-up because it’s good for their skin. There’s so much to be inspired out there right now, so learn and keep an open mind about everything. Favorite way to unwind: I do a lot of window shopping, and I like spending time with my sister because she and I just laugh all the time. We get together and even when it’s not even funny, the two of us are just laughing hysterically! That’s the best.

q. What’s one thing you’ve done that has helped you successfully increase your business?
a. One thing I’ve done is made sure I’m not afraid of doing things I love. I loved doing make-up and went that route for a long time. When I added permanent cosmetics to my services, I loved that, too! When you love how you’re changing people’s lives, there’s nothing better than that.

q. How do you continue your education?
a. Part of education is continued through the trade magazines, through books and by going to shows and seeing what other people are doing. It’s not looking only at make-up—you have to look at fashion, what else is going on in the world and how it can be beneficial to us.

q. What’s the nicest thing a client has ever done for you?
a. Clients have written me wonderful e-mails, and my students have given me wonderful reviews that have touched my heart. When I go to shows and my students come up to me and tell me how I have inspired them and where they’re working now, I feel so proud.

Topics:In The KnowIndustry News

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