Meet Laura Raczka | Artist- Makeup | Hair | Painter | Photographer| Creative Genius | Mad Scientist

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

Hi Laura, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Honestly I don’t think I chose the art life, I truly feel like it chose me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art has always lived at the intersection of beauty, storytelling, and transformation. For nearly two decades I’ve worked as a professional hair, makeup, and special effects artist in fashion, film, and editorial and commercial— collaborating with brands like Nike, Barbie, and Star Wars, and creating looks that help people step into powerful, unforgettable versions of themselves.

What sets me apart is that I see beauty as more than surface — it’s performance, ritual, and identity. That’s why I’m most proud of the work I’m stepping into now: expanding my artistry back into analog photography and storytelling. This fall, I’ll be in Paris for Fashion Week and then journeying into the Sahara Desert — creating a project that contrasts outer glamour with inner stillness.

The road here wasn’t easy. Freelance life demanded resilience, navigating uncertainty and proving myself in competitive, high-pressure environments. I’ve learned that artistry is as much about persistence and self-trust as it is about talent.

What I want the world to know is that my brand is about transformation — whether through a brush stroke or a frame of film, my goal is to create moments where people see themselves differently, more truthfully, and more beautifully.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit, I’d want to give them a real taste of California life. We’d start in Venice with coffee at Little Lunch, a beach walk with my dog Veruca, and dinner at Dudley Market — maybe Superba for a long lunch. One day we’d wander Balboa Island, another we’d road trip up to Santa Barbara for a hot springs soak after a hike, and end with fish tacos in Ventura.

We’d definitely have a night of live music — maybe Pappy & Harriet’s in Joshua Tree under desert stars — and a weekend crawl through one of LA’s many flea markets and art fairs. It’d be a mix of ocean air, desert magic, good food, hidden gems, and plenty of creative energy — the version of California I love most

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?
Hey Shoutout!!

Thanks for taking the time to interview me!

There are so many amazing humans that have helped me along the way from my family letting me play dress up all day every day and taking the family camera out and about to snap photos of whatever my creation de’jour was to the countless friends and chosen family members who hype me up when things get tough. If I were to sit here and name them all I think we’d have a solid book on our hands.

My path as a career hair and makeup artist started after my best friend in High School encouraged me to check out Paul Mitchell Costa Mesa and study Cosmetology after I decided the Art School crowd wasn’t for me and I feel like every moment from there was divinely guided through the people I met and the experiences I’ve had.

Website: https://www.LauraRaczka.com

Instagram: @Laura_Raczka @Dondelaurita @ParisToSahara

Image Credits
NY Weekly Photo taken by Kat Hanegraaf