Meet Lili Eve Kaytmaz | I.A.T.S.E. Local 706 Beauty & FX Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lili Eve Kaytmaz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lili Eve, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
There was a part of me that always knew I’d be an entrepreneur! When I was 11, I decided I would be a makeup artist and create a cosmetic line. Even though as I got older and my dreams shifted to no longer included a cosmetic line, I never wavered from pursuing my dreams as a freelance makeup artist! It just felt very natural that I’d be a business owner. I couldn’t be more thrilled where my business and career has taken me!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When in Los Angeles, a makeup artists are a dime a dozen! Standing out of the crowd can be a difficult task. Not only am I a talent makeup artist but also a talented fine artist as well! Growing up doing art (painting, charcoal, welding, pastels, etc) really gave me an amazing sense of color theory as well as using my hands intricately. Even though I’m quite skilled, I think what truly helps me is my personality. I’m quite positive, happy, encouraging, hard working, and generally an enjoyment to be around. You can be the most talented artist in the world but if your personality is rotten, people won’t want to work with you. Who you are speaks volumes. Also, getting where I am today was by no means easy. I’ve worked unbelievably hard in the 15 years I’ve been doing beauty makeup, 10 years I’ve been doing fx, and 10 years I’ve worked in film and television. It also took 10 long years to join Local 706, a huge milestone in my career. What is exciting is I still have so much ahead of me! So much to do, learn, and absorb. If history has taught me anything, nothing the future holds will be easy either. Success has never just been handed to me. However, I’m not scared of the hard work to come. Bring it on!

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’d say my favorite activities to do in Los Angeles are roller skating and eating. I’d take my friend to some of my of my favorite spots, C&M Cafe, Gjelina’s, and if they want to spend some money, Catch LA. Also we’d go roller skating in Venice at the skate plaza and then skate down the strand at sunset! I love going to trivia on Tuesday at Player One and maybe hit up some museums! I’m not really a drinker or a clubber but I do love a good game night with good friends. Something I’d definitely bring friends to is Cinespia! When done right, it’s an incredible experience!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m sure this list could be a mile long but there are a few key people I need to thank for my success in my career! First and for most, I need to thank my mother. She was 100% supportive from the moment I mentioned I was going to be a makeup artist. Without the strong support of a parent, who knows where I would have ended up. Secondly, I need to thank Bobbi Brown for inspiring me to become a makeup artist! I saw her biography on TV at 11 and that is when I made my mind up about my career. I got a lot of initial training from her heads of artistry and freelanced for the company in my early years! The times I have met her she’s always been unbelievably supportive of me and my work. Lastly, I need to thank my dear friend and mentor Kimberly Greene! She is an incredible makeup department head in film and television. Kim really educated me on being a department head, which elevated my work and business tremendously. I even inspired her to created a class about department heading in which I’m her teachers assistant! We currently work together on a show and it’s really a dream come true.

Website: www.lilievemakeup.com

Instagram: @lilievemakeup

Twitter: @lilievemakeup

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/lilievemakeup

Image Credits
Last photo: Lynn Millspaugh