For the past 6-7 months I have been fortunate enough to be working with a former high school classmate and friend, Kim Bragalone. She is an amazing Makeup Artist that continuously blows me away with her creativity and her ability to make my clients and models look their very best. Along with her ridiculous skills, her personality and ability to connect with her clients in my opinion sets her apart from the rest. I’ve seen first hand through my camera the confidence she gives clients, whether a model or bride she makes them look & feel like a million bucks.
My interview with her was so great that I had to split it up into two parts, this post will be Q&A along with pictures and Part 2 will be a video of her in action, it’s going to be awesome so make sure you tune in for that. So without further a do introducing MUA Kim Bragalone.
Be sure to visit her website www.kimberlybragalone.com
TF: When did you know that you wanted to be a MUA?
KB: I knew back in 2001 that I wanted to be a makeup artist. I worked in the entertainment industry for a few years and loved it but there was something that wasn’t quite clicking for me…maybe it was the 10 dollars and hour I was making haha…but seriously…. I was always good at applying makeup so I thought why not take a stab at it. I like playing with makeup growing up and ran many trips to the mall with my mother picking out fun eyeshadows and liners, so I think it was always in me to do this. I figured since I knew the entertainment industry well, I could combine my artistry with my production knowledge and in the end I would be more successful on set or at a shoot. So I went for it! I took classes and Empire Academy of Makeup and just took off from there!
TF: Being an artist, what inspires or drives you?
KB: What inspires me is what is shown in film and out on the runway and in magazines. Lets take Alice in Wonderland for example. AMAZING makeup and the artist pretty much transformed each actor. How cool is that! When I am doing shoots and working on the same model that is something I try to do. Make each shoot different and make each application different from the next. The Runway always has amazing looks. There is a site I go to that was referred to me by fellow artist Rozette Haymaker called makeup for life. It just keeps me updated on what is going on out there so I can take that and put my own spin on it. Also love to look at W Magazine….great images…awesome makeup.
TF: Do you have a speciality or certain style?
KB: I think I am pretty well rounded. I am not sure what my style is hahaha. I think I am good at doing beauty makeup. That clean fresh face that is just beautiful without a touch of contour and highlighting and too much color. The idea is to enhance the women’s natural features. I also think blending foundations and shadows I am pretty darn good at! I love blending eyeshadow colors to create another or make color fall into the other without a distinct line. Some applications I want that distinct line and pop of color but when I do brides I keep very subtle and beautiful.
TF: Have you worked with any celebrities?
KB: I have worked with celebrities and musicians and models! Just a few to name are Hadyen Panatierre from Heros, Kathy Griffin, Andrea Bowen from Desperate Housewives, Linda Blair to name a few…go to my website you can check out my list ;) Everyone I have worked with was so much fun!
TF: Who in your craft inspires you or who do you look up to?
KB: Two people in particular inspire me. First and foremost is Ve Neill. She teams up with Johnny Depp and Tim Burton on most films. I got to see her at the Pasadena show a few years back when Pirates of the Caribbean came out. She was doing two looks from the movie and all I can say was that I was enamored with her work. Her creativity is truly amazing and the precision and time that goes into each look is more than you could imagine. The other person that inspires me is MAC artist Christopher D. When I worked for MAC he did a class with us and he just does simply beautiful work. I try to follow him and see what new looks he has created. Funny story, we went to elementary school together and for some reason he remembered me from all the way back then…so not only is he a great artist but has a great memory…lol. Christopher does a lot of the looks you see in the MAC ads and has worked and created looks for top celebrities. He is truly gifted and a gracious artist and I have picked up some techniques from him that work wonders!
TF: What do you like about working with brides?
KB: Here is the thing about working with brides, and maybe it is just me that has experienced this I don’t know? I normally do the brides makeup and then right before she walks down the isle I touch her up. In those last moments of touching her up, usually her bridal party is gone and its just me and her. This is when I get see the brides true raw emotion. Meaning, the joy, the excitement, the tears (which being an artist I am always like no no no no no…good thing I use waterproof everything!) and sometimes I witness those last moments where a million thoughts are running through her mind. And I am there to not only be an artist, but to be there to support her, make her laugh, and most importantly make her feel beautiful. I guess it makes me feel like I have been there for her more than just doing makeup. It makes me happy. Also the BIG smile I see every time I am done. That is a great feeling, to know that amongst everything else, I contributed a part of making her happy on her wedding day.
Kim you rock, thank you for taking part in my new series!
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