Life & Work with Celeste Maxwell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Celeste Maxwell.

Hi Celeste, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up behind the scenes of the entertainment industry. Both of my parents, and going back six generations on my father’s side, are crew members in the Film and Television world. I was exposed to the highs and the lows of freelance, the creative spirits of other artists, and the honor of being a part of a production at a very young age; and as soon as I was old enough to understand what my parents did, I knew I wanted to follow in their footsteps. Growing up in a small, sterile town outside of LA, I yearned for some sort of a creative outlet. Whenever my parents were on set working long hours, my sister and I would write scripts on our grandpa’s big dinosaur computer, and we’d film them with our friends on his camcorder. Looking back, it really did feel (and still does) like Film was in our blood! As I grew up with this itch for entertainment, I began to struggle with deciding exactly what to do with it. I couldn’t pin down my plan…

I moved to Venice Beach right before my freshman year of high school with my mother and step-father, and everything about Venice inspired me to explore that creative longing I had. At this point, I was 14 years old, and proceeded to obtain a California legal work permit for minors through my school. I begged my mom to take me to work with her so I could observe since as a makeup artist she had the coolest job to me…Eventually, she did. After that, her makeup artist co-workers and friends did as well.

Next thing I know I’m 14 years old on fall break from high school, cleaning brushes, carrying set bags, sanitizing everything all the time, learning how to do all different types of makeup, and watching with stars in my eyes as these seasoned makeup artists worked their magic on whatever non-union job they’d let me join them on! I was pretty much instantly sold. I finally found that creative outlet I’d been longing for my whole life.

I continued to work/assist on super small non-union jobs throughout my freshman year, mainly on weekends and during holiday breaks. The following year, I took the California High School Proficiency Exam, or CHSPE, with the permission of my mother, so I could graduate early and start taking more makeup jobs. And the rest is history. I’ve been working on set, growing, learning, and creating ever since. When I was 18 years old I department-headed my first non-union feature film, at 19 I attended makeup school for character and SFX makeup, and at 22 years old I finally joined I.A.T.S.E Local 706 (the Union for Makeup Artist & Hair Stylists in entertainment). As of now, I’m about to be 24 in February, and this coming fall I will be celebrating my 10-year anniversary since my first time working on set as a makeup artist.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
As with any career, it has its ups and downs. To say the road to this point has been smooth would be a lie. When I was first starting out, it wasn’t easy finding opportunities on set as a minor. The response to hiring a kid as a crew member was usually, “It’s cute that you want to work in film, but it’s too much paperwork to bring you on,” or, “It’s a liability”, and, “Let me know if you’re still interested when you’re 18”. It was very discouraging because in my head it was the same thing as getting a part-time retail or restaurant job. I couldn’t understand why some people wanted to give me an opportunity, and others thought it was “too much”. In my adult years, the struggles are different. Makeup artistry is a highly saturated, oddly competitive corner of the entertainment industry. People only want to work with their same core group, which makes it difficult to connect with other artists. Also, a lot of people have a hard time taking me seriously or believing my resume because of my age. Without knowing the back story of my early start and years of hard work, they’ll pass judgment before I’ve had a chance to prove myself. The natural state of the industry is an uphill battle for the newer generations. You haven’t made it til’ you’ve made it, and that energy feeds itself. It can be intimidating, but it’s so worth it when you love what you do.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a makeup artist in the entertainment industry; primarily working in film, television, commercials, and music videos. My skills and artistry continue to develop each day, but my specialty is in character makeup and beauty. I am known for my ability to adapt to changes made on the fly, keeping it groovy with positive vibes in the workplace, and period piece makeup from different eras in history. If there’s something I have to acknowledge that I’m most proud of, it’s that I followed my freaking heart and am making a career out of it! I have proven resilient through the struggles on this journey because I simply love what I do. There is one thing for sure that I believe sets me apart from others: the honor I feel by working in Hollywood. Film is a part of my family history. It’s how my parents met, it’s how my grandparents met, etc. I wouldn’t have been born if two people didn’t have a love for film. I can’t explain how important this industry is to me, the gratitude and honor I feel when I work, the fulfillment it brings into my life. Being on set, bringing characters to life through makeup, connecting with other artists, being a part (no matter how big or small) of an art community where I can help tell stories to the world… I take it very seriously, and I know people can see it and feel it from my work ethic and art.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My sister, Lesette, has been my biggest supporter. My parents advised against joining this industry for a long time, but my sister has always said, “If you’re good at it, know you can do it, and you’ll be happy, then why not?” She’s always been by my side, allowing me the room to let my creative ideas flourish. I wouldn’t have been able to persevere through the years without her cheering me on. My grandfather, Ozzy (not in the entertainment industry), has also been one of my biggest role models and cheerleaders. When I was growing up, he’s the one who taught me how to draw and design, he always invested his time in supporting my passions and artistic hobbies, and he made me feel safe enough to achieve anything I dreamed of. In fact, he was the first person I ever did makeup on! In his own life, he was an entrepreneur and built a life in Los Angeles after migrating from Colombia. Through my life he’s taught me hard work, sticking to my goals, the value of love and connection, and never giving up. He passed away in November of 2022, and I can still feel him rooting for me.

Of course my mother, Vivian, has been a large influence in my journey. She is also a makeup artist in film and TV, and after years of her encouraging me to follow another path, she’s finally come around and has invested her time and love into being a resource when I need advice. She’s been in the industry for almost 30 years, so when I get stuck or confused about something new, she’s there to offer guidance and support. Her journey and knowledge of the industry while I was growing up gave me the very clear understanding of the good and bad; which I’m very lucky to have seen before making the decision to pursue it myself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/celestembeauty

Image Credits
Austin Drakem Diliana Gravina Shawn Hill Angie Bulmer Ashton Avila