Meet Kathleen Crawford | Makeup Artist, Permanent Beauty Specialist and Para Medical Tattoist

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

Hi Kathleen, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
Movement is a big one for me. Sometimes when you feel a door in front of you is closing, if you just take a few steps sideways or even a small step back you will almost always see a better door that is just opening up for you. I’ve had many struggles but having tenacity and the habit of movement to just keep moving towards my goals has definitely helped me to overcome any obstacles that have come my way. Somedays I feel like I’m on a slingshot going a million miles an hour and sometimes I hit the brick wall but I just keep moving and eventually I get where I want to go.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I moved to Los Angeles from Vancouver Canada at 22 yrs old with dreams of becoming a film and tv makeup artist. I didn’t know anyone here so I had to work my way up from the bottom. I worked for credits on student films and slowly built my resume and portfolio. It wasn’t easy but I was always up for a challenge. The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was my shyness and fear. I practiced breathing exercises every day and pushed myself through the uncomfortableness one face at a time until eventually doing makeup became second nature and I wasn’t afraid anymore. I built a very rewarding career over the past 30 plus years. As much as I love film and tv work, the hours are long and it takes it’s toll on your body over the years so a few years ago I decided to transition my art into permanent makeup and scar camouflage and I opened Ink Imagined in Valencia, CA. I am still working in film and tv while building my brand. I think bringing my extensive knowledge of facial structures and features and my innate sense of beauty to Ink Imagined gives me an advantage in the world of permanent beauty. I have such a deep passion for creating beauty and to be able to give eyebrows to those who have none, to cover a scar and help someone past their trauma or tattoo a beautiful 3D Areola on someone who has just gone through breast cancer is the most rewarding work I have ever done. Honestly I love my work as an artist so much I don’t feel like I’ve actually ever worked a day in my life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many amazing places in LA to visit its hard to fit everything in to just one week. Here are the top picks for me: A trip to Disneyland or Universal Studios is a must for everyone visiting LA.
A concert at the Greek Theater or Hollywood Bowl.
Going to a Dodger’s game if it’s baseball season
I always used to take people to Venice Beach but I like the South Bay beaches better now. Manhattan, Hermosa, Redondo.
A walk down Hollywood Blvd and a shopping trip to the Grove.
A bike ride along Ventura beach with lunch at a cute restaurant on Main St.
A trip to Grand Central Market downtown
Some of my favorite restaurants in LA are Meet in Paris in Culver City, Bar Amá on 4th St. downtown LA, and Osteria Mozza on Melrose.
I also love a day trip or overnight to Catalina Island if time permits.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Erin Skipley of Contour and Ink has been my mentor, friend, teacher and greatest supporter in the field of Permanent Beauty. She has taught me so much about technique, artistry and procedures. Any time I feel deflated she cheers me on and puts me back in the driver’s seat. She has been there for me through thick and thin and I would not be where I am right now without her kindness, generosity, knowledge and support.

Website: www.inkimaginedla.com

Instagram: @inkimagined

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maycup

Yelp: https://yelp.to/7A7afGozUib

Other: kathleen@inkimagined.ink

Image Credits
Kathleen Crawford / Ink Imagined