Meet Sonya Azeemey

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

Hi Sonya, how does your business help the community?
I feel there is a profound connection between creativity and the human experience. Without it we are not able to define ourselves. It’s the foundation of every community and it’s what empowers us as individuals. Therefore, by applying makeup on my clients, I am not only creating a makeup look for the camera but feel to be taking part in empowering their journey in life. As an artist, I take my work very personal and believe any form of art is incredibly important for a society to evolve and thrive. I say this because my family comes from a country (Afghanistan), where the concept of creativity has only been defined through cultural norms and appropriation, rather than individuality. It has mostly been the case, especially for women, in cultures where religious pretexts set the tone. Being authentic and expressing any form of individuality or confidence in dogmatic cultures is looked down upon. It is beyond anyone’s reach unless someone comes along and challenges the norm. Who better to do that than an artist? That is why I take pride in my work. I am able to express my individuality and give a voice for generations of women who have felt limited to what they can achieve. However, I also think men have also succumbed to limitations of self-expression as well. In fact from 4000 BCE through the 18th century, it was men who traditionally wore makeup, yet it’s not often we see men wearing makeup in modern society. If they do, they are automatically categorized as gay, and in turn this enforces a bias towards male sexuality. I have friends in the LGBTQ community, male and female, who do not wear makeup. Having assumptions about people based on their preferences imposes limitations on their individuality and indirectly oppresses authenticity. I feel my work allows me to be the advocate for freedom of expression, be it makeup or gender identity. I am given a platform to not only create looks for my clients, but to transform hearts and minds to break barriers. This allows me to connect with my clients on a personal level and provide a safe space for innovation as well. For instance if they feel they can’t wear a certain color due to their skin tone, I strive to create color variations of similar hues that will work well. My goal is to break free from limitations through creativity. Making an impact through creative work is ultimately an amazing opportunity to revolutionize a moment in someone’s life or society, and I feel purposeful being part of that.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a Pro Makeup Artist residing in Los Angeles but consider myself more of a creator. I say creator because I feel I not only applying makeup, but rather inspire and transform the environment for my clients. I have recently worked as a makeup artist for the LA Fashion Show, Super Model Management, and various photographers for editorial photoshoots, that have been published in a variety of digital magazines.

My journey in makeup and the fashion industry started when I was in college, working in a retail environment. Initially I worked for Versace and attended FIDM for a short time, until I decided to switch gears into makeup artistry. The first makeup line I worked for was called Bourjois (a boutique French cosmetics line). Shortly after, I worked for Laura Mercier as a regional artist and business manager. At the time, Laura was a celebrity artistry line, so I had the opportunity to work on some high-profile celebrity clients. One of my favorite people to work with was Jennifer Coolidge. After a couple of years, I transferred to Dior as a regional artist/color director, working in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and the DC Metro region as well. Dior was a turning point in my career because it allowed me to take part in the Dior Show launch fashion show and be one of their lead regional artists. It was a memorable time since Dior had begun to rebrand and expand their cosmetics and skin care line.

Through the years, I’ve faced various challenges on my artistry journey, one being, staying true to myself. It’s imperative that we don’t lose sight of ourselves while pursuing our passions. There was a time I took a break from makeup and now realize that it was totally ok. I used to feel guilty about it but I am glad I stayed true to myself. We need to take care of our mental and physical health to bring our best foot forward, even if it means losing some time along the way. That being said, another challenge I faced, was losing touch with beauty trends and techniques, after taking time off, which I remedied by enrolling in makeup classes to learn new techniques. The great thing about life is there are always opportunities for growth and my advice to anyone is that it’s never too late. And of course, feeling our best all the time in itself is a challenge. I try to stay above such moments by connecting with nature, engaging in meaningful relationships, and finding quiet time to paint or reflect. I am usually mindful of how I feel because how we feel about ourselves affects everyone around us, especially our clients. The mood we bring to work is so important. When I walk into a room feeling empowered, I am also projecting that empowerment onto my clients. My goal is to be inspiring and to create looks for my clients that reflect empowerment. I want them to feel the colors they are wearing and walk off my chair with confidence, because ultimately their confidence will exude on camera. It’s a magical moment when I see someone’s eyes beam with a smile once they take a look in the mirror. That’s what a makeup artist wants to see. I not only want to transform a look on someone’s face but to create a radiant mood to emanate onto the world.

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 have such a diverse list of places to go but a few places to eat or drink that are my favorite are as follows: Aroma coffee & Tea, Studio City
Teru Sushi, Studio City
Natas Pastries – LA’s Portuguese Bakery & Café, Sherman Oaks
Misfits, Santa Monica
Moonshadows, Malibu
Bacari, Silverlake or Glendale
Club Decades, Hollywood
Beauty and Essex, Hollywood
Wally’s, Beverly Hills
Cafe Gratitude, Venice

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shout out to my mother. She has been an inspiration for me, especially in terms of being unique and unapologetic about it. My mom often puts together a look to expresses her individuality. I remember when I was young, she would buy a dress and then change it up, by altering them to make it her own. She has a lot of passion for the arts and encourages me greatly to be creative. In life, through obstacles and challenges, she has been resilient, always standing her ground, and true to herself regardless of anyone’s thoughts. I truly admire so much about my mom now that I am older. Her modern approach to life in a society where women were seen as less than is truly remarkable. I appreciate her courage and determination greatly.

I also want to recognize my sister, Michelle, for her amazing energy and creative spirit. Her presence has been a gift in my life and she inspires me in so many ways.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiomakeup.artist?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== 

Image Credits
Models James Murray Brianna Jones Audrey Limoges Richard Conan Wakeman Eva Cota Elena B. Vira Nyzhnyk-Oskolska Mojave Rose Camila Aguilar Photographers Jimmy Cannon Brian Wangenheim