Celebrity Makeup Artist Interview: Lucky Smyler

by - 5:00 AM


I am so excited to bring this interview to all my blog readers new and old. Lucky is the amazingly talented makeup artist who did the makeup for Dascha Polanco aka Daya Diaz from Orange is the New Black for Monday's Emmy award show! He was kind of enough to do this interview with me and I hope you enjoy!




1.Tell us a little bit about yourself, a little introduction!
My name is Lucky Smyler. I am a celebrity makeup artist specializing in beauty, and I just so happen to love skin and paaaaaank! (lol, pink).

2.How did you get started in makeup? What was your journey like?
 
My career in makeup has been an interesting journey. When I started in the 1990's there was no internet and being a makeup artist was not a common career goal as it is now. Back then it was hard, No one handed me anything. It wasn't about how many social media followers you had, there was no social media at the time. I knocked on doors with a notebook portfolio that consisted of wedding Polaroids. My goal was to assist makeup artists that were working in the industry. After what seemed like thousands of slamming doors, one agent appreciated my drive and persistence and allowed me to assist his key artist at the agency. The rest, as they say, is history.

3.What is a typical day like for you as a makeup artist? 
A typical day for me starts with a starbucks iced coffee, an intense reorganizing of my kit (because each job requires different products), and then a drive to either a photo shoot location or to a hotel where my celebrity client may be staying. 

4.Can you tell us a few celebrities you have gotten to work with?Most memorable?

 Some of my celebrity list includes: Rita ora, mary j. blige, kerry washington, viola davis, and super models alessandra ambrossio, kemp moore, raquel zimmerman, sessilee lopez and jessica white. My most memorable celebrity client experience  would be with singers natalie cole and gloria gaynor. They were my parents favorite singers and they would be so proud to know that I have worked with them.

The beautiful Rita Ora


5.What are a few of your favorite products you must have in your kit?
My product must haves are shea moisture cosmetics cc creams and foundations, caudalie  beauty elixir, koh gen do spa water, and urban decay de-slick pressed powder.

6.Is there someone you would love to work with, that you have not as of yet?
I would love to work with sia furler. She has the voice of an angel and a really beautiful spirit.

7.If you weren’t doing makeup, what else can you see yourself doing?
I am a makeup artist because I love it. If I weren't doing this I would surely be working in a nursing home taking care of the elderly and disabled. I have a very soft spot in my heart for those that are in need of care and support.
Two more beautiful ladies from Orange is the New Black

8.Since you have done makeup for many award shows, including the 2014 Emmy Awards. 
What are some tips for getting makeup to be long lasting,and look great in photographs?
For long lasting makeup always start with a great primer (like shea moisture cosmetics). It's like setting and preparing the canvas before painting a master piece. Also oil absorbing blotting papers are great for retouching without having a powdery finish. Also, a great setting spray (there are many out there) like "model in a bottle" is an oldschool wedding trick that works for everyone that wants long wear-ability.

9.I was happy to see that you used Shea Moisture Cosmetics on the beautiful Dascha Polanco from Orange is the New Black for the Emmys. It is a brand sold at Target.com which some might not consider when thinking about award show makeup. Do you have any advice for makeup artist who think they have to buy all high end makeup for their kits?
 Makeup artistry is about the skill of the artist. When I started in the 1990's we didn't have so many designer options like we do today. We had to mix, blend and create magic with what we had at the time. High profile clients sometimes want to see those expensive products in your kit, but what they really want to see is the magical result in the end. If you are passionate and great at what you do, the result will always be the same with drugstore or designer high end products. It's about "you" the artist.
The photo he posted on Instagram when he was doing Dascha Polanco makeup for the Emmy's!
 
10.Any tips or advice for makeup artists (like myself) who would love to do makeup on a larger scale one day?
A great tip for all artists who want to do bigger things is to study your craft. Youtube is like a free makeup university in the privacy of your own home. Every one should be taking advantage of it. Also, reach out to makeup artists that you admire and who are working. Ask to assist them. That is the best way to get hands on experience. Develop long lasting and trust worthy relationships with them. They will recommend you to other artists and possibly to other clients when they need you to replace them. Great Relationships are important in this business.   

The beautiful Amanda Warren from my new favorite show The Leftovers!


Lucky did an interview with Latina magazine giving the breakdown to Dascha's Emmy look.You can find that link here!

Be sure to follow and give Lucky lot's of love on his social media sites! Go to his website to see all of his amazing work.



*All photos belong to Lucky Smyler and were used with his permission from his Instagram account @luckysmyler. I do not claim to be any of these celebrities portrayed in these photos or to be Lucky Smyler. These photos were used for entertainment purposes for this interview.All photos belong to Lucky Smyler the amazing makeup artist!

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3 comments

  1. Wow, what a talented mua Lucky is! I wasn't familiar with his work until I saw my IG feed blowing up with Dascha's emmy looks the other day! He seems very down to earth, which is so great. Thanks for this fabulous interview. I loved the post! <3

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    1. I know he is very kind,and I was happy he accepted my request for the interview! She looked so beautiful and to find out he used drugstore makeup on her was just amazing to me! Thanks for stopping by and glad you enjoyed the post!

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  2. What a great interview and interviewee, Heather! Lucky was so lovely and down-to-earth. I don't watch the show so I don't know who those women are, but they looked beautiful. And how amazing to see the gorgeous results using Shea Moisture Cosmetics. I have seen the cosmetics yet in my area, but hopefully they'll make it one day. i must share your post on twitter and on my FB fan page (tho' without boosting, no one gets to see anything). Keep up the great work, girlie!

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