Last week, MakeupTalk’s editorial team was fortunate to be able to catch up with Kezia Laird, of www.kezialea.com in Toronto, Canada. Kezia is a celebrity makeup artist who we thought our readers would be interested in reading about. Interviewing Kezia was a lot of fun and informative. Kezia is a proficient makeup artist and that made her an “easy fit” for our editorial team to sit down with. Kezia is an internationally known top makeup artist, with over 10 years experience. A born make up artist, Kezia trained at glamorous School of Make Up Art, Yorkville. She graduated with honors both in Makeup and special effects and after she graduated she was quickly hired up by M.A.C Cosmetics . She remained at the top store as a customer favorite for 7 years. Of course, Kezia had much about herself and allowed us to capture it all in the notepad. We really enjoyed the discussions that we had along with conducting this exclusive interview. This is Part 1 of MakeupTalk’s interview with…Kezia Laird, MUA.

MakeupTalk: Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Kezia: My name is Kezia Lea Laird and I’m a makeup artist in Toronto, Canada

MakeupTalk: Did you always want to be an artist, or did you stumble upon your talent by chance? Who or what inspired you to become a makeup artist?
Kezia: I feel like as far back as I remember, I wanted to be one, because my mum was one. There was always lots of make up around to play with. I loved it.

MakeupTalk: How do I keep my makeup fresh for the whole day?
Kezia: If you want your makeup to last all day, it’s really about the prepped skin. You’d want to make sure your skin is exfoliated and that your moisturizer is not oily. Then you’d want to use something called Skin Primer which holds the make up on and also helps protect your skin from the makeup too. Always set your makeup with powder. You can also use Fix Plus (it’s a spray) also I like blot film (rice paper type of thing)

“If you want your makeup to last all day, it’s really about the prepped skin”

MakeupTalk: What is your typical week like?
Kezia: I work part time for a salon called ‘Featuring You’ and the rest of the time is spent on appointments for Trials and then weekends I do the actual Bridal Makeups. It’s a pretty full week with lots of Trials. Sometimes can be a bit back breaking when your bent down all day for 8 or more people!

MakeupTalk: We understand that you have a list of celebrities that you have worked with in the past, would you be willing to name a few and elaborate what exactly you did with them(makeup and cosmetics wise) on some of them?
Kezia: I’ve done make-up’s for several B list celebrities in California. A few anchor women on local channels. For Canada I’ve done Singer Sherrie Lea, Canadian Idol winner, Melissa O’Neil and other Canadian Indie artists. I’ve also done several Adult Entertainers who are famous, but I don’t want to name names! For celebrities it’s all about clear smooth looking skin, smokey eyes and lots of lashes.

“For celebrities it’s all about clear smooth looking skin, smokey eyes and lots of lashes.”

MakeupTalk: How does your makeup artist routine differ for celebrities and regular makeup jobs as in bridals?
Kezia: Sometimes it doesn’t differ and they want the same type of look. But for Brides, I never promote heavy make up as it tends to look dated on the pictures. I really try to just enhance the Brides glow of the brides. And for Celebrities it really depends on photographers or camera man’s needs, in these situations I am at their disposal but I’m usually there for the whole day.

MakeupTalk: Being that you have worked with many celebrities in the past, do you have any funny stories to share with the Makeup Talk community?
Kezia: Once in California, I was doing the makeup of an up coming pop singer, who got herself locked in the bathroom and by the time we finally got her out, not just the heat but she had been crying the makeup off. We had to start from scratch. It was funny because she came out looking like a relieved but scared Racoon. The photographer was so exasperated because he had another shoot later. The most bizarre things I’ve seen were during my 7 years at MAC. It wasn’t a celebrity. It was customer who would come in and eat the lipstick. She would look right at us and snap it off and then leave with it in her mouth…and one man who came in and insisted that we put red lipstick right across his face like the joker. No matter how much I put, he wanted more and more!

This is part 2 of the Celebrity Makeup Artist, Kezia Laird. MakeupTalk’s editorial team was fortunate to be able to catch up with Kezia Laird, of www.kezialea.com in Toronto, Canada. Kezia is a celebrity makeup artist who we thought our readers would be interested in reading about.

MakeupTalk: What would be your dream job (in the beauty world, of course)?
Kezia: I would like to do Editorial full-time Glamour, Vogue or Allure. Billboard Makeup! I plan to devote more time for this as I do a lot of Brides.

MakeupTalk: What would be your skin care routine?
Kezia: Kiehl’s gentle foaming cleanser, Alyria Clarifying Astringent, Alyria Retinol Night Cream

MakeupTalk: What is the toughest part of your job?
Kezia: Bending down for long periods of time.

MakeupTalk: What is the biggest misconception you think people have about the celebrity/professional Makeup Artist industry?
Kezia: People think it’s easier than it looks. Its very demanding and sometimes the Artist and manager and even photographer don’t always agree on the look. There can be lots of time delays because of this. Sometimes celebrities are cranky.

MakeupTalk: What should a client consider before deciding to try permanent makeup? What is the difference between permanent and semi-permanent makeup?
Kezia: I really advocate that unless there is a facial deformation, one shouldn’t get permanent make up. Something can be called Semi Permanent and may last longer than you want.

MakeupTalk: What makeup tips can you share with women who try to achieve the professional makeup look at home?
Kezia: Take pics of your own work and try to improve and by comparing it with a look you want from an ad. Kevin Aucoin has a great book for this particular need.

“A more laid back person tends to just want mascara and lipstick.”

MakeupTalk: What are the must have products for the summer/fall of this year?
Kezia: Lashes and Bronzer. Who doesn’t look good in that?

MakeupTalk: If there was one simple thing women could do to improve their natural beauty, what would you say it is?
Kezia: Good hair, good eyebrows. Fading colors and grey hairs will age even young looking people. Strong eyebrows really appeal to me.

MakeupTalk: How do you maximize an individual’s facial characteristics? Is there a way to bring out one’s personality through make-up?
Kezia: For sure. It would be how much they’d like to wear. Punky girls like lots of makeup and it shows their personalities. A more laid back person tends to just want mascara and lipstick.

MakeupTalk: What has been your career highlight so far? What are your next ambitions for the coming year?
Kezia: My career highlights were actually leaving Mac and starting to do freelance only. I want to build my name in this field and one day I want to own a simple cosmetics line, with all the faves and most needed items.

MakeupTalk: If you wanted to make someone look younger, what would you use and how would you do it?
Kezia: Again it really is eyebrows and super glowing skin. I notice that young girls can have very dull skin too. Exfoliating and glowing. Staying away from shiny eye colors for older women. You don’t want to highlight any extra creases. I like to keep it simple on older women but play up a smokey eye and I like lip liner on them too.

MakeupTalk: What is your most used makeup item?
Kezia: Mascara.

MakeupTalk: What’s in YOUR makeup bag right now?
Kezia: What’s NOT in my makeup bag. lol. Everything a girl could want is almost in there.

MakeupTalk: Who is your favorite YouTube Makeup Guru right now?
Kezia: Kim Kardashian has a few tutorials I like and actually I stumble on so many good ones I don’t pick them by name. I pick them by the look they are creating.

MakeupTalk: In a few words, share your thoughts on the art of makeup: Feeling, Energy, Universe, Human, Philosophy and your creative influences.
Kezia: Makeup brings Joy. I’ve done makeup for cancer patients and it makes them feel amazing. Make up does make you feel energized because when you look good, you feel good. It’s very true. I like make up not tested on animals. I just want everyone to be happy. Make up is fun from any age up. I do tend to be influenced by any favorite show I’m into. Like Kardashians etc.

MakeupTalk: Your most important tool:
Kezia: 217 Brush

MakeupTalk: Your top 5 brands:

Kezia:

1. M.A.C. Cosmetics
2. NARS
3. Christian Dior
4. Channel
5. Loreal

MakeupTalk: Your favorite face feature:
Kezia: Eyes

MakeupTalk: Most respected Professional MUA:
Kezia: Kevin Aucoin & Carmindy

MakeupTalk: Most respected designer:
Kezia: Tom Ford

MakeupTalk: Your conclusion:
Kezia: Thanks for having me on your site. I’m really looking forward to the article and perhaps meeting others from MakeupTalk.Com. Have fun with make-up and take good care of your skin so you can keep having fun with makeup, lol.

Love, Kezia!