Meet Ariel Garrett: Hair & Makeup Artist

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

Hi Ariel, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
From a young age my dream was to be an artist. I got my first taste of a creative job working at Disneyland as a face painter in the parks. I fell in love with being able to use my artistic skills to brighten someone’s day and make them feel pretty like a princess, fierce like a tiger or strong like super hero. To this day that passion is still there, I am able to use my creativity and artistic skill to show someone their beauty, or to bring a character to life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I create living art, and unless you are lucky enough to snap a picture it’s here today and gone tomorrow. One of the things that sets me apart is my ability to incorporate my art background into my everyday looks through color choices or design ideas. This is really brought out in my favorite time of year, when I’m able to do sugar skulls for Diá de Los Muertos. Over the last couple of years I had the opportunity to work in applying special effects makeup for monsters at a fright fest event during the Halloween season. It made me proud to see my work on the face of the scare actors and being able to see my work get better as the season progressed. I have also had the opportunity to be a key hair and makeup artist for a couple short films that I am excited to share when they are released. It has been a lot of hard work with many ups and downs. It has in no way been easy. It has been hard and in times discouraging especially this last year with all that has happened in our industry and the world. From cancelations and closures to being restricted and not being allowed to apply makeup and do hair. But through it all I have kept my head down and continued to hone my craft and build clients and work hard and not lose sight of what I love to do. Biggest lesson that I have learned through all of this has been to constantly be working on my skills as an artist and be flexible. Learn to go with the flow and to always be hustling, working on my craft and preparing myself for the next opportunity, because the dream is free but the hustle is sold separately.

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 am the biggest brunch snob, so of course we have to start with a good brunch spot. My go-to is this little spot in Highland park called cafe Jane, a cute little cottage house turned restaurant. You can’t go wrong with any of their gourmet eats, but a couple of my favorite are their French toast and the huevos rancheros. When in California you must visit the beach! The beach I love going to is Venice beach. As if being by the ocean wasn’t enough, you also get to take in the local wildlife through the street performers, artists and shops along the boardwalk. Next we head to downtown LA to Philippe’s! Home of the French dip sandwich and sawdust on the floor. For drinks and a show you gotta go to the Venice room in east LA! Cook your own steak, have a few drinks and muster up the courage to sing a few songs for karaoke. Careful though, once you’re in, your name is on a rotation so you gotta be ready for your next song. Finally for dessert or a late snack la Michoacán’s for the best sweet or savory treats. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my husband Matt, from the beginning he has supported my dreams and goals. When I was thinking of working an artistic job he was the one to push me to pursue it. We were walking around the Disneyland parks and I had mentioned how cool it would be to work at the happiest place on earth and be able to do something artistic, just then we passed the face painting booth and he said that I should go for it. Right now! So I mustered up my courage and went and asked them if they were hiring, and they were! He has been my willing guinea pig in almost every stage of my career from face painting 101, to prosthetics, and my first men’s haircut. He has helped me start my own business, and now he continues to give me that gentle nudge when things start to feel sticky. He is my constant cheerleader and when I get in my own head he reminds me how much I love what I do and for that I am forever grateful.

Website: www.makeupmavin.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/makeupmavin
Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/in/Ariel-Garrett-09144a13b

Image Credits
Mark Christensen Katie Chew Tati Brittanie Renoj Andrew Doeshair Justin Ebenhack