Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Reyes.
Hi Kim, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As a shy Navy brat, my family moved every 3 years, and at age four, I followed in my mother’s path as an artist in painting & clay sculpture.
After a degree in Marketing and Fashion Design, working in the ski fashion industry in Aspen, Colorado, and then the New York fashion scene for several years I eventually made my way back to Virginia where I opened the first Prescriptives Cosmetics counter in Tyson’s Corner and loved being able to transform women into a more flattering and confident vision of themselves through makeup. After two years, I took a job with a DC jewelry designer for 9 years and was able to use my makeup skills for all her media, meet and work with photographers, build a portfolio, and find agency representation. In 2001, I set out on my own all the while taking classes and workshops to hone my skills including SFX makeup, injury simulation, and body painting.
I’ve body-painted models for fashion shows, art openings, and private parties, made up role players with bloody injuries for first responders at mass casualty exercises around the country, and created war injuries on role players in the middle of the desert for the US Army’s pre-deployment training. My client list includes Celebrities, Politicians, Astronauts, Supreme Court Justices, and everyone in between. I work in Television, Video, Print, Live Events, and charities.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say I have been lucky in that my skills and work ethic have developed great work relationships and word-of-mouth referrals for me through the years.
My first few years in this industry were pretty much based on working for free or discounted rates to build a portfolio, relationships, and experience. I would also pitch in doing anything that needed to be done, being a team player, and going out of my way to help on jobs. There were also slow times when I did have to go back to a temporary retail position to make it through.
When I was a new artist I learned in the retail setting that just because I can see someone in a certain look, if they are not comfortable in that look and I’ve not taken in their style and asked questions then I failed in serving that client.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As a makeup artist, I have a great deal of range because of my art and craft background. I like to keep my skills varied and along with doing basic makeup for TV/film I can offer special effects makeup like aging, injuries, body painting, character development, and costumes/prosthetics.
In the past, I did quite a few editorial looks with local photographers just for portfolio development and submission to online magazines. I still do creative shoots with crazy makeup & costumes for fun with photographer friends.
I am proud to have worked with the Army for 3 months doing “Moulage,” injury simulation for troops’ pre-deployment training in the Mojave Desert before they were deployed to Afghanistan.
I was honored to be the makeup artist for several years on a Pedestrian Safety Campaign that showed people with tire treads painted on their faces. Photographed by the amazing Cade Martin, these images were at bus stops, in the Metro, and on local buses.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Several Unknown Things about me: I used to race on my college ski team at Virginia Tech, and I foster dogs with a local rescue group. I make handmade jewelry, pottery, and elaborate headpieces.
I have a collection of animal skulls and Native American art on my wall. My Etsy shop will soon carry custom urns for pet’s ashes.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kimreyesmakeup
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimreyesmakeup
Image Credits
Nigel Parry, Cade Martin, Christopher Testani, Monica True, Anne Calamuci, Tony Veloz, and Len DePas
