Meet Lawrence Mercado | Professional Make Up Artist

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

Hi Lawrence, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Honestly it was moving to Los Angeles from San Antonio TX to pursue a professional makeup career in Movies and television. I had a good job, friends and family in SA. I was comfortable there, but I knew I had to make the leap. It was frightening yet exciting. I didn’t know many people here in LA and no one at all In the makeup industry. Between taking gigs for little to no money, essentially mainly for exposure and meeting new contacts. I feel that with hustling and networking ,It’s very possible to get some great opportunities offered to you. I’m very grateful and blessed to be where I am because of the risks I took almost 8 yrs ago. Hopefully it’ll just keep getting better.

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 am a professional makeup artist and I also do special effects makeup. I’ve had the opportunity to work on so many insanely cool projects. One of the projects that I am extremely proud of is being a part of the Emmy Nominated team for American Horror Story:1984. When I started doing makeup, I had only dreamed to be working on AHS. To not only be part of the makeup team, but to also be nominated for our work, it was truly a dream come true.

I’m just a guy who loves what I do with every part of my being and I wouldn’t give it up for the world.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to Magnolia street in Burbank. There’s tons of amazing locally owned shops like, the Bearded Lady & Halloween Town. From there we would swing by a restaurant in Eagle Rock called Qinksters. Get a drink and play some arcade games at Button Mash (bar/arcade) on Sunset. For the grande finale of the night, we would finish off with a movie at Alamo DraftHouse, one of my favorite movie theaters that show classic and modern day movies. They have great food and drinks to go along with a great movie going experience.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

My parents have always been the most supportive in my life and career. No matter whatever I set my heart to, they backed me up 100%. Margie and David Mercado will always be my biggest fans and I love them for it.

As for when I got out to LA, My fellow Texan, Adrian Huerta. He was already living in LA working in the business and was a very accomplished cinematographer.

Adrian encouraged me to take a chance in LA and stay with him on his couch while I was trying to figure everything out. His support was incredible.

Dave Kloc was a huge inspiration, being an amazing illustrator and artist making a name for himself designing posters for a stand up comedy show called “the Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail “.

He immediately introduced me to his friends in the industry that he knew, from customers, actors, comedians, editors and directors, he never stopped dropping my name to them. I’m insanely grateful for all that.

Alyssa Morgan and Cristina Waltz I met on a music video I took for no pay, which was one of the very first things I ever did when I moved out here.

They have been a huge part of who I am and where I am.

And last but certainly not least, my wonderful girlfriend and everyday #1 support team member, Chloe Sens , who is also an amazing and accomplished professional makeup artist in her own right.

Instagram: @Lawrence_nbfx

Image Credits
Photos by: Julian Mercado IG: @julianmercado Photos by: Adrian Huerta IG: @drianhuerta