Meet The Makeup Geek

Q:What's the name behind makeupgeek?
MG: My name is Marlena but some people call me the makeupgeek.

Q: Who is Marlena?
MG:I am a makeup artist by profession. I own my own website ( www.makeupgeek.com ). I do video tutorials on makeup.

Q:Where are you from?
MG:I am originally from Central California, born and raised there but currently living in Michigan.

Q:When did you start your career as a makeup artist?
MG: I started almost 3 years ago when I quit my job as a music teacher and started making makeup videos as a hobby. I've always loved makeup- ever since I was little. I used to practice all the time on my Barbie Head doll- the one where you could style its hair and apply makeup ;)

Q:Who was your inspiration or what inspired you to become a makeup artist?
MG: My inspiration was actually Lauren Luke aka "Panacea81"- she was such a sweetheart and I loved watching her videos.

Q: Did you attend any beauty school to become a makeup artist?
MG: I didn't go to cosmetic school as it focuses on hair instead of makeup, so was a waste of my money and time. I just took stage makeup in college (was a music major).

Q: You mentioned you own a website which is makeupgeek.com, what is the site about?
MG: It hosts tutorial videos I have done on makeup ; product reviews ; makeup 411 ; hair. It also sells the products I use in my tutorials. It has many forums where you can post a topic which other members of the site will reply to and help you with your inquiry.

Q: Tell us about your video tutorials.
MG: My tutorial videos are very detailed and cover many different subjects. In each video, I talk a little about the look I'm gonna do, all the products I use, the brushes I am going to use etc.

Q:What are your favorite products?
MG: I love Bobbi Brown Corrector for under the eyes, NYX lipglosses, MAC eyeshadows, Revlon Colorstay Foundation, and NARS loose powder :)

Q:What is your advice for those aspiring to be a makeup artist?
MG: Practice, practice, practice! You can never practice enough on different people. Grab your friends and start coming up with different looks. Make sure to take pictures of everything so you can see what you need to work on, track your progress, and see how your work shows up on camera. Get some professional looking business cards and give them to local schools during prom season, wedding planners, and even local makeup counters.

Q:When you are not working what do you do to relax?
MG: I watch movies with my family, play the piano, or go walking in the park. I like to cook and scrapbook too!

Q: How do people get in touch with you?
MG: They can contact me through my website www.makeupgeek.com.