Meet Linda Michaels | Actor, Makeup and Hair Artist, Esthetician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Linda Michaels and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Linda, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursue a creative career because I just never fit in the traditional roles. I have had a desk and an office before and wondered what people did with them. I didn’t feel like I really did anything unless I was dealing directly with people either teaching esthetics, makeup, or applying makeup for a film, TV show or bride. I was made to be around different people all the time. Different locations and different artistic challenges. I do see the creative in all parts of all professions. The person making the spreadsheet is creating that. The person collecting all the data is creating that. I just love to create with people directly in front of me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been doing makeup and hair for 35+ years since I first got my cosmetology license in 1989. I worked in salons and spas for several years but left that to go freelance doing services for brides and some television in Chicago. I then received a great opportunity to work for an international spa line out of Italy to train spas all over the US. While I loved my background in Cosmetology and Esthetics, I missed my makeup fun. I then went to work for Paul Mitchell Schools training makeup all over the country. Things changed for me in Chicago after my mom passed away. My dad had passed in 1991 so there was nothing holding me to Chicago any longer. All of the sudden I felt like Chicago was not my place to be. I was inspired to move to LA so I did just that. I knew one person in LA but made the leap of faith. The biggest challenge for me…I assumed “I have been doing makeup for 30+ years, they will all be knocking on my door”. This was not the case. I have learned this for working on set: 1) Its not about what you know, its about who you know. Network network network.
2) Are you someone who people want to be around for 12-14 hours a day? There is no room for whining or divas.
3) Be humble. No one knew me yet. It didn’t matter that I had been doing makeup for so long…I assisted for nothing at first.
4) Once you get the gig, it does becomes about what you know. Keep your skills sharp.
5) Always have a great attitude and professionalism. On time. Prepared. Upbeat. Actors don’t need any of your drama or story. They have a job to do they are focused on.
Since working hard and humble for over 8 years now in LA, I have networked my way to being the key makeup artist for Million Dollar Listing for 6 seasons, and personal makeup artist for celebrities like Tony Horton, creator of P90X workout program, and musician TV host Randy Jackson. All of my opportunities have happened from networking and people I have met.
I LOVE my makeup career. I work with people I love. Then ACTING. How did this happen? Well being on set for low budget shoots, I have been asked over and over again to also be a background actor. The truth is I have always wanted to be an actor. I did improve, comedy and theater in high school. I never thought I could be an actor because that was for the skinny pretty model types and I didn’t fit the mold. It all of the sudden hit me in LA…This industry needs EVERY type of size, type and person. So I started to pursue acting classes, improv and stand up comedy.
All of this hasn’t been easy. Moving from the midwest to LA was a bit of a culture shock. Just having lost my mom put me in a bit of a haze for the first few months here. However the very first step off the plane in LA I knew…I am HOME. I don’t know why or how. I have never lived here. I have no family here. I am home.
I truly believe that the truth of life anywhere is to believe in yourself and keep moving in the direction of your dreams. Sounds cheese but its true. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming.
Now acting has taken over almost as much as my makeup career. I have been in commercials, a few feature films and I am constantly working on my craft to expand my opportunities in more projects. I have realized that all the same rules i have mentioned apply to acting too.
Hey World, You are responsible for you. You are the one who creates your opportunities. All the old cliche advice, turns out its TRUE! No one will ever believe in you more that you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have been living in LA for over 8 years and I still feel like a tourist! There is so much to see and experience! Everything a city and nature has to offer is here in SoCAL. Here is my perfect trip (and I have done all this but not in one trip)…Road trip from LA to San Fransisco. Drive up inland to see and experience the wine trail. Many fun vineyards and so beautiful. Then spend time in the Sierra National forest, Sequoia National park and the Muir woods redwoods. Then drive back down to LA on PCH to stop at Monterey, Big Sur, Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara and a side trip to Solvang. Another majestic set of sights are the missions. Not being from CA, these were new to me. They are beautiful, profound and lovely.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate the success of my story to my family. Now that is a big thing as “family” isn’t just blood. My Mom, for showing me that quiet and unspoken are some of the strongest characteristics anyone can have. My Dad, for gifting me with his humor, charisma and style. My sister, Bee, for being the strongest, kindest and smartest person in the room but never realizes it. To my BFF Maria without whom I would not be as brave as I am. To Michelle who always has the perfect metaphor or silent listening ear. My cousin Cindy, who has always been a grounded light of love and connection for me. To Kimleigh, who I has exploded my creative world wide open with love, truth and absolute fierceness. And to Scott, who I am so fortunate to have attracted into my life. He is my sounding board and my rock. Forever grateful to all the people who have and will add more success to my story.

Website: www.lindamichaelsartistry.com

Instagram: @TheLindaLMichaels

Facebook: TheLindaLMichaels

Image Credits
For one of the pics only…The painting looking one with me in a sheet By Ben Fink Art.