RAW MAKEUP OF THE YEAR: Alan Anderson

Nov 19 |10:26

My name is Alan Anderson.  Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, I moved to Denver in 2004.  As a career Firefighter/Paramedic, I enjoy body painting as a side job.  My interest in make-up started years ago around Halloween.  In fact, it was not until January 2010, that I painted my first model.  I was always known as an athlete growing up and I’ve actually never taken an art class in my entire life.

After October 2008, I decided that I wanted to paint my face for something other than Halloween. I met a master body artist by the name of Pashur at a face and body painting convention.  I mentioned to him that I was not an artist, but that I started having friends ask me to paint their faces for costume contests.  I wondered how I could paint throughout the year, to “practice” my Halloween characters.  My idea was to paint kids’ faces at public events like fairs, or birthday parties.  I don’t think I will ever forget the professional advice that he gave me that day.  Pashur looked at me…paused…and with a very caring voice, asked me 3 simple questions that would change my future.  He said “Alan, do you have kids?”…I said “No”.  He said “Do you like kids?”…I thought…”Well, no.  Actually, I don’t”.  He finally asked, “Then why would you paint snotty nosed little kids, when you can paint beautiful bodies?”  From that moment on, it was clear to me that I wanted to learn this skill. 

I am self-taught, and I don't feel that I was born with any special “talent.”  I simply enjoy making people smile.  The reaction I get when people see my art walk, talk, and move about is the reason I continue to do this.  Please visit my website at www.ColoradoSkinWorks.com to view more.

 

- Alan Anderson

 

   

 

Hair Stylist of the Year Nominees


   Danie Darling  |  Hollywood

   Jonathan Mason  |  Los Angeles

   Ms. Boombastic  |  Santa Monica

   Kimmi Le  |  Orange County

   Jenny Lynn  |  Santa Ana

   Phoenix  |  Pomona/Riverside

   Maegan Cooper  |  San Diego

   Sandra Moreno | San Francisco

   M'chel Bauxal  |  Portland

   Helena Caldwell  |  Seattle

   Heidi Knoke  |  Minneapolis

   Mindy City Hair  |  Chicago

   Tovah Avigail  |  New York

   Mary Ashanti  |  Philadelphia

   Michelle Marie Connolly  |  Boston

   Aria Darling  |  Nashville

   Jennifer Kraack  |  Austin

alt   Salon 1219  |  Phoenix 


   Hair by Reesy  |  Las Vegas
   

 

Makeup Artist of the Year Nominees


   Sarrahh Blank  |  Hollywood

   Crystal Tran  |  Los Angeles

   Melanie Ramirez  |  Santa Monica

   Desiree Footé  |  Orange County

   Alexander Peuchot  |  Santa Ana

   Les Feliz  |  Pomona/Riverside

   Jeanette Marie Crutchfield  |  San Diego

   Ernesto Robledo  |  San Francisco

   Kelli Gasaway  |  Portland

   Diana Flores  |  Seattle

   Colorado Skin Works  |  Denver

   Warpaint  |  Minneapolis

   JANE DOE ART  |  Chicago

  Rozeppelin   |  New York

   Amanda Diaz  |  Philadelphia

   LC Image Consulting  |  Boston

   Char Braden  |  Nashville

   Loud Looks Aesthetics  |  Austin

alt   Makeup by Sabina  |  Phoenix  

   Nandy Villatoro  |  Las Vegas

   

RAW HAIRSTYLIST OF THE YEAR: Kimmi Le

Feb 28 |14:12
My name is Kimmi Le. I work at Studio 4 Salon in Newport Beach as a hairstylist, makeup artist, and an educator. I also work on an artistic team as a senior artistic director/team member, and I love freelancing on photo shoots and fashion shows as much as I can. In 2007, I won avant garde stylist of the year for the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA).
 
While I was in high school, I went to fashion shows to assist one of my sisters when she worked as a makeup artist. By the time I finished high school, I really wanted to be a fashion photographer. In the middle of my first semester of college I knew that the normal college life wasn't for me. Being the control freak of my work, I knew I wanted to do the hair and makeup and the photography so that the entire vision would be mine.

Cosmetology school is fairly quick, so by the 2nd semester of college I started cosmetology school in March of 1998. Began working in a salon as an assistant by late 1999 after I became a licensed cosmetologist. While I was in beauty school I worked as a freelance artist for hair and makeup on photo shoots and fashion shows and carried that with me when I began working in the salon and have never left this industry. Something I thought I wanted to be, introduced me to what I love do...
 
I love working on any type of style and challenge myself to be able to work with any style. But I must say avant garde is definitely where my heart and soul is. I love working on period pieces as well. I like to take things that feel really familiar from an era and completely twist it into something you've never seen. When people see a collection I've done, I want them to feel like they know where the story I'm telling is coming from but at the same time see something completely new.
 
My inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere. I have such a passion and love for fashion and music and take a lot of my inspiration from both and from my personal experiences/emotions as well. I try to explore and take as much inspiration from every nook and cranny possible.
 
Daily, as I work in the salon, I love what I do because I make people feel better about themselves and bring beauty into their lives. When you feel good about yourself, you exude happiness, confidence, and positivity. With my freelance work, I love what I do because it's my form of art. It's how I can express myself and have an art that other people can enjoy. I love to inspire and be inspired.
 
At this link below you can follow me as I give out beauty tips and tricks and see most of my work as a hairstylist and makeup artist: 

- Kimmi Le

 

 

 

 

 

   

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