Interview with Ana Crane-Simpson of Applied Cosmetic Services -urbaniste.weebly.comAna Crane-Simpson, owner of Applied Cosmetic Services, is an extremely talented, professional, and passionate makeup artist. Learn why she loves what she does so much and get a few beauty tips that work well on a day-to-day basis, not just on your wedding day.
How did you get your start as a professional makeup artist?
I guess you can say I got my start in makeup when I was 5 years old. Let me explain, my mother was a fantastic makeup artist in South Florida and even had her own makeup line! My earliest memory was running up and down the aisles of the Miami Beach Convention Center and watching my mother “beautify” the Miss America contestants before the show. She was amazing for many reasons, not just for her skill but her love of making women feel beautiful and empowered. She had a gift for this industry, which back in the 80’s, was very new and aggressive. I was blessed to have such an amazing role model.
Now fast forward 10 years… I was at a Design High School (always beautifying my friends makeup & hair for fun) and I loved ART, painting was my forte! I had decided to go to Milan, Italy and get my Masters in Fashion Design. I soaked it all in!! I was absorbing every trend and culture that crossed my path. At this point I saw my makeup artistry as a hobby. I never knew what an impact my mother’s advice and teachings would have on my career.
Now fast forward another 5 years… I had turned down a job in Florence, Italy. Moved back to Florida, met my husband and turned down a job in NY City. I got married and had my son, Braedyn. I was busier than ever and needed to fill my “creative cup” so I decided to focus my career on makeup! I worked with many great lines…Tony & Tina, Hard Candy, Urban Decay. Once I got to MAC- I WAS IN LOVE!! Finally a line that reflected my love of all things artistic, self expression, and made all ages-sexes- & races feel BEAUTIFUL! It is no wonder I worked for MAC for 7 years and occasionally still freelance for them.
I have to say that somewhere along the road, a path was waiting. I never made a conscious decision to start my business- it’s like the universe was waiting for me to catch on! I LOVE what I do and the clients/vendors I have met. I am flattered every time I am a part of one of the most important days in a woman’s life — her wedding day!! It truly is an honor.
What are some beauty secrets or tips we all could benefit from every day? Tip #1: Work on the eyes before moving on to foundation! You would not believe the amount of eye shadow that flakes & gets trapped under the eye, giving the appearance of “tired eyes”. Take a q-tip with makeup remover and wipe underneath to clean up any loose shadow… now you are ready for moisturizer and concealer.
Tip #2: DO NOT GO TO SLEEP WITH MAKEUP ON, no matter how tired you are! I love my MAC makeup wipes. One wipe removes all of your eye and face makeup. It contains a cleanser and toner but is alcohol free… your skin will be clean and your pores will thank you :)
Tip #3: If you want to wear a bold lipstick color but are afraid of bleeding/feathering… use a longwear lip product. MAC has a Pro-Longwear collection. Lots of shades that last 8-12 hours… really! Revlon also has a great longwear Colorstay Line that has all those bold shades.
Tip #4: Always look at makeup in natural light! If you are at the mall playing with colors, take the time to walk outside and see it in natural light. Halogen lights can give off a yellowish tone so your colors may look a little “off”.
Tip #5: Now that Spring/Summer is around the corner, make sure you change your foundation/powder color. It is not unusual to go up 1-2 shades in the summer. Also pick up a yellow based bronzer to add that glow to your new shade. If it looks “orangey” do not use it! And always remember less is MORE!
What brands of makeup do you like working with most?
I love working with MAC cosmetics, Laura Mercier, Dior, Chanel, Bare Minerals…. and the list goes on! I like to think of myself as a guinea pig. My clients use all kinds of makeup so I have to be as knowledgeable as possible. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it :)
What general advice do you give your brides as they make decisions regarding their wedding day style? On a bride’s wedding day, I think it is really important to take every detail into account! I look at a wedding as a sort of runway show… I know that sounds silly- but think about it. Every decision along the way leads up to that moment the bride walks down the aisle, all eyes are on her. When I schedule the bridal trial I always ask a few questions: What colors are you using (flowers, linens, accents)? Describe the color and fit of the dress? What accessories are you using? What color are the bridesmaids using? Those few questions are like a map of sorts. By the time she is done filling in the blanks I will know if she is traditional or modern. It also tells me what colors will compliment the wedding. If a bride tells me she does not wear a lot of makeup, that is ok, I can bring out her favorite feature without piling on a ton of foundation and color. I keep it simple, fresh and over-all my goal is for her to see herself and light up with excitement! All brides should choose a style that represents who they are. It is one of the most important and photographed days in their lives… so it should express who they are as a couple. If something does not seem to work-KEEP LOOKING! You will know when it is PERFECT!
What do you like most about beautifying brides? What I love most about “beautifying” a bride: seeing her feel confident and gorgeous! It is not just about the makeup, let’s face it, they can go to the mall and pray the look lasts the whole day and is pleasing to the camera. I love to build relationships with my brides. I love to relax and pamper them on that BIG day. I love hearing their fiancé say they are the most beautiful woman they have ever seen. I love seeing them at their happiest moment. I really love it when they call me for a private makeup lesson, post wedding. I really love being apart of their dream day! I think this quote I read says it best: “I desire beauty like one desires LOVE!”
Here are a few pictures of Ana at work. You can see many more examples of her work on her Facebook fan page. (Photographs are by Angela Anderson Photography)
