Meet Rachel Hoke

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

Hi Rachel, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk by definition is: “the possibility of loss.” The word “possibility” informs me that “risk” isn’t a fact, there is only “possibility.” With everything in life… it can go either way. My job is to show up.

As this pertains to my career or artistry, I choose to walk past the word “risk” or I will never discover anything new. Part of being an artist is letting go and staying conscious so I can see. I enjoy learning and discovering new things about myself; along with any medium I choose to work with.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a professional makeup artist by trade. I work in movies, tv, commercial and music. I am a journeyman of my craft with a strength in beauty. Part of what makes me good at my job is the understanding of so many other things beyond makeup. There is a science to makeup application; but it is also about working with a team. Understanding the role of a producer, to the chief lighting technician, and then what happens to film/photography in post, helps me stay flexible and strong in my craft.

Beginning in 2019, I taught myself how to edit. That was exciting because I could take a vision in my mind, write it, shoot it, and then sew it together digitally so that anyone could see what I was thinking.

Writing stories turned into directing a few small things on my own. Having new mediums at play, I started to truly learn the importance of lighting and how light works with the internal dialogue of camera and post production. When I start any job, as a makeup artist or otherwise, I am very aware of time and money, and always looking for the efficiency in crossing the finish line.

I think the only reason I ended up anywhere, for any reason, is because I show up. There will always be challenges with any job that exists. I have found that if I stay present during any unforeseen circumstance, all is well in the end.

For anyone in the world reading about me, I’d say that I hope to always remain conscious in my movement throughout my life.

I usually find myself feeling inspired or excited when there is a challenge. There is an ease and comfort in doing a job where you can operate on auto pilot. But I do enjoy figuring things out and solving a puzzle. I really get to stretch problem solving whenever I decide to do my own shoot. From concept to location and what I need for the shoot day… its an ongoing puzzle, that once completed, brings a new wave of excitement and accomplishment.

Saying that I am awesome or great at anything, is all a matter of perspective and ego. I have won two awards as a makeup artist: An Emmy and a Guild Award, both for the HBO series, Westworld. I know that I worked hard and I am honored that anyone would say: “You did such a good job, here is an award!” (especially from my peers.) Personally, those trophies represent to me: the willingness to get up and do the damn thing. It also shows me that all the early small jobs that paid very little or didn’t pay at all; all the long days on set where I was still cutting my teeth…taught me a lot.

There is a lot about imagery that has changed. Photography, film, AI, computers, etc etc…

We are crossing into a new world where our eyes can be easily tricked. But to be the one holding the camera, or the one holding the brush and painting a canvas or face… there is a craft. Craft is a place to always keep yourself thinking and learning and willing to adapt. It’s also a place where something unique can be born and made.

I hope for the sake of my own eye, that the texture of “hands on, get in the dirt and play” kind of art never goes away.

There is no greater feeling than picking up a black eyeliner pen and nailing the cat eye wing on the first brush stroke. There is a thrill that comes when you’re behind the camera and capture a moment in time that only happened in that one moment. There is a joy that appears when an idea becomes tangible that others can see or touch. Its a really cool thing about humans what we are able to do.

Who knows where its all headed.

I will be the person digging through a thrift store looking for some weird old family photo album that someone trashed.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Los Angeles. One of my favorite things to do is show someone new to LA around the city. Its a very different LA from when I moved here. However, there is a still a scope. It’s fun to show people how different each pocket of LA resides.

The amazing sandwich shop in Eagle Rock, Bub and Grandmas. The classic LA bite at Sugarfish. The Getty Museum is something to witness and, if possible, a concert at the Greek Theater. A stroll down Abott Kinney while grabbing a fancy coffee offers an enjoyable day on the westside. A hike through Runyon Canyon never disappoints.

Without the film business & craft as a makeup artist, I don’t know if I would have ever seen so much of Los Angeles that I have been able to see. It’s incredible really. I am forever grateful to what the city of LA has offered me with over two decades of living here.

The real shout out is to LA… a place I call home.

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?
There are so many people in Hollywood that have opened doors for me. When I first moved to Los Angeles, 25 years ago, someone hired me to wait tables so that I could get my feet on the ground. From there, someone hired me to work at a production company. People I met at the production company allowed me to learn about being on a film set. I then met my friend Michael, who invited me to sing in a band and tour the United States and England. There are too many people to name; directors, musicians, producers and friends have all provided moments for me to grow and build. Most recently I’ve started working with Maison Ruf, a new clothing line, based in Los Angeles. Designed by Iliana De Boisblanc and Ruth Black. I did makeup and hair for the 2024 holiday campaign. In 2025, I modeled for the launch of the Spring/Summer collection.

Website: https://www.rachelhokemakeup.com

Instagram: @raquelhoque