9 Questions with Valerie Hernandez

How long have you been doing makeup? I have been experimenting with makeup since I was a little girl, basically for as long as I can remember! Professionally for 7 years.

What are three of your must-have products? YOUNGBLOOD Loose Mineral Foundations, YOUNGBLOOD Mineral Primer and Egyptian Magic

What’s the last project you worked on? A variety of beautiful photoshoots with the amazing Tyler Shield.

Why do you love being a makeup artist? I absolutely love being a makeup artist because I love educating women on “Healthy, Beautiful and Flawless” makeup techniques.

In one word, what inspires you? ESSENCE

What makes you a good makeup artist? Drive along with Passion ! But most importantly the APPRECIATION of every single opportunity that is placed before me.

What was your first job as an artist? I was an assistant to Celebrity Makeup Artist D’Andre Michaels.

How would you describe your style of makeup? Clean and Healthy.

If you could do one person’s makeup who you haven’t yet done who would it be? That would definitely have to be Ellen Degeneres !

Valerie Hernandez is the senior educator and makeup artist for Youngblood Cosmetics.
You may visit their site at www.ybskin.com.

9 Questions with Alison Raffaele

-How long have you been doing makeup?

23 years

-What are three of your must-have products?

Alison Rafaele Cosmetics Face Forward Primer: Acne Response, Alison Rafaele Cosmetics True Concealer and DHC's Deep Cleansing Oil

-What's the last project you worked on?

Currently working on the development of Alison Raffaele Cosmetics new eco-friendly mascara and luminizers

-Why do you love being a makeup artist?

The people! Whether it is talking shop with editors and bloggers,

introducing other artists to my products, working with customers at retail,

spending time in the R&D lab with my chemists, or networking for business, I

constantly find myself meeting wonderful people.

-In one word, what inspires you?

Women

-What makes you a good makeup artist?

Being in tune with the customer's needs

-What was your first job as an artist?

Behind a makeup counter at Macy's in Paramus, NJ at the age of 16

-How would you describe your style of makeup?

I am to visually telegraph a woman's inner beauty and personality through

her makeup

-If you could do one person's makeup who you haven't yet done who would it

be? My daughter's...I'm due August 21st, so her first Halloween may a bit too

soon, but you know at least she'll have a great costume!

Alison Raffaele is the founder of Alison Raffaele cosmetics/Green Pioneer. You can see her at The Makeup Show NYC on Sunday May 17 – 2:00pm for The Founders Forum. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.themakeupshow.com

9 Questions with Kate Leydon

-How long have you been doing makeup? 20 years

What are three of your must-have products? The balm concealer, Tweezerman tweezer, Susan Posnick Powder #5.

-What's the last project you worked on? An in house photo shoot for my shop Ruby Room

-Why do you love being a makeup artist? I love the art of transformation, creating a flawless palette of skin to paint on.

-In one word, what inspires you? Blending

-What makes you a good makeup artist? a microscopic eye for detail.

-What was your first job as an artist? Working at a makeup counter.

-How would you describe your style of makeup? Clean & classic beauty.

-If you could do one person's makeup who you haven't yet done who would it be? Cate Blanchett, or one of my childhood friends might be fun too.

Kate Leydon is the founder of Ruby Room the style of wellness. Join Kate Leydon at The Makeup Show NY May 17-18^th. She will be presenting “Finding Wellness” on Sunday May 17^th at 9:30am. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.themakeupshow.com/

9 Questions with Michael DeVellis

How long have you been in the industry? 16 years.

What are three of your must-have products for any artist? mascara, salmon (the color not the food!) concealer, and a great moisturizer

What are the last projects you worked on? Evolution Provincetown, The Makeup Show LA, On Makeup Magazine Spring 2009

Why do you love being in the industry? There is no career or craft more invigorating or inspirational than one that works to transform others. In the case of makeup artists - transforming the client. In the case of The Powder Group - transforming careers.

In one word, what inspires you? Honesty.

What makes you a good at what you do? I tell it like it is.

What was your first job in the industry? Retail Manager, MAC at Westfarms Mall, CT

How would you describe your favorite style of makeup? One that is true to both the artist and the client.

If you could work with one person in the industry who would it be? Way Bandy

Michael DeVellis is the Executive Director of The Powder Group, and the Creative Director and Editor of On Makeup Magazine. He will be speaking at The Makeup Show NYC on Sunday May 17th at 10 am, presenting Marketing You and Founders Forum on Sunday, May 17 at 2:00pm. For more information and to purchase tickets for The Makeup Show NYC on May 17 & 18 please visit www.themakeupshow.com

9 Questions with Jon Hennessey

How long have you been doing makeup? 15 years and hopefully another 50 more.

What are three of your must-have products? MAC #188 Brush, Face Atelier Foundations, Mika Olivia Brush Cleanser

What’s the last project you worked on? Just wrapped a video for Papa Roach

Why do you love being a makeup artist? This is a question that I could literally spend pages on. I've been fortunate enough to work on such a wide variety of projects that make every day completely unique. I work in an industry in which I'm completely surrounded by creative individuals...it doesn't get much more inspiring than that.

In one word, what inspires you? Struggle

What makes you a good makeup artist? There are thousands and thousands of incredible makeup artists out there doing their own thing. I've probably shown my portfolio in order to get work less than 20 times in my career. The majority of the work that I do comes through word of mouth. It's less about my makeup than the experience and environment that I create for people. I try to bring a little calm into my clients crazy lives.

What was your first job as an artist? It's been a while, but it would probably have been volunteering my services for a cable access cooking show. Doesn't get much more glamorous.

How would you describe your style of makeup? Clean, minimalist, abstract, painterly.

If you could do one person’s makeup who you haven’t yet done who

would it be? Past would be my mum. Present would be Zooey Deschanel.

Jon is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Nobasura Agency and one of the most respected educators in the Makeup Industry. He will be speaking at The Makeup Show NYC on Monday May 18^th at 9:45am, presenting Working in Fashion. For more information and to purchase tickets for The Makeup Show NYC on May 17 & 18 please visit www.themakeupshow.com

9 Questions with Kevin James Bennett

How long have you been doing makeup? About 25 years.

-What are three of your must-have products? MAKE UP FOR EVER Flash Color Palette, HD Microfinish Powder & Pure Pigments.

-What’s the last project you were on? Consulting on a team to create a new look for a celeb.

-Why do you love being a makeup artist? I am privileged to work in an industry where the stroke of a brush can lift a person's self esteem, turn them into a character, make them feel strong, sexy, confident. I'm constantly amazed at how this non-permanent medium can illicit so many varied emotional responses. Whether it's design, application, development, marketing, education, beauty editorial..I LOVE IT ALL!

-In one word, what inspires you? Curiosity.

-What makes you a good makeup artist? I'm not afraid to make mistakes. You can't grow without putting yourself out there and developing new concepts. So what if your idea doesn't work, wipe it off and start again.

-What was your first job as an artist? Putting makeup on mannequins at Bloomingdale's.

-How would you describe your style of makeup? Lifestyle makeup. I've spent the majority of my career working in mediums that require my work to define/perfect what exists or to create a plausible "character" makeup that fits a lifestyle.

-If you could do one person’s makeup who you haven’t yet done who would it be? Cate Blanchett...she's such a chameleon and can carry off just about any period look (especially "old hollywood glamour).

Kevin James Bennett is the Director of Pro Business Development and Artist Relations for Make Up For Ever. He will be speaking at The Makeup Show NYC on Sunday May 17 at 1:15pm, presenting Everyday HD: Understanding the Technology and Techniques. For more information and to purchase tickets for The Makeup Show NYC on May 17 & 18 please visit www.themakeupshow.com

9 Questions with Eugenia Weston

-How long have you been doing makeup? Over 3 decades.

-What are three of your must-have products? Senna's Concealer, Secret Set Invisible Powder, Brow Pencils.

-What's the last project you worked on? Several. Bette Midler's Las Vegas recent Program Guide. 'So You Think You Can Dance', Toni Basil, judge.'Three Faces of Evie', 5 transitional & period makeup looks for Lesley Ann Warren.

-Why do you love being a makeup artist? I love transforming faces which in turn transforms women's psyche.

-In one word, what inspires you? Fashion.

-What makes you a good makeup artist? Having a true passion for it and being a perfectionist. Having an indepth knowledge of color theory. Listening to my clients and having no attitude!

-What was your first job as an artist? Working with Helmut Newton.

-How would you describe your style of makeup? Naturally gorgeous, whether it be a dramatic or a soft makeup.

-If you could do one person's makeup who you haven't yet done who would it be? Megan Fox.

Eugenia Weston is the founder of Senna Cosmetics and will be a part of two special events at The Makeup Show NYC on May 17 and 18; The Art of Brows on Monday, May 18th at 12pm, and Founders Forum on Sunday, May 17 at 2:00pm.  For more information and to purchase tickets to The Makeup Show NYC, please visit www.themakeupshow.com