Meet Linda L. Michael’s of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda L. Michael’s

Hi Linda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was always interested in Makeup and Hair as far back as I can remember. Always playing with Makeup when I was a little girl and creating looks for all of my friends (and maybe more than one Barbie and a few dogs!) and the various characters we would come up with to put on shows in our local neighborhood outside Chicago. In high school I completely in love with all things theater and every part of it. From acting, make up, props and scenery, I was 90% in the theater and 10% interested in the rest of school, to my parents chagrin. I understand now as an adult that parents are simply afraid of their children being involved in the creative life because there are no guarantees for artists supporting themselves. However the artist life has always had a hold on me that I could not deny. After high school I attended cosmetology school and it was one of the best decisions I ever made as 35+ years later, I still maintain my cosmetology and esthetic licenses. I have worked in a few salons in the past and enjoyed taking care of clients but my first love was always Makeup. I started out working on proms, Quinceañeras, weddings, commercials and film work around Chicago. I then worked for a company that gave me the opportunity to go to Italy teaching aesthetics for a spa product line. Later I worked for Paul Mitchell schools and taught Makeup at several locations across the US. I learned more about makeup when I was teaching it than ever and loved all the students. In the meantime I studied cosmetic chemistry at UCLA and fell in love with California. Things in my life changed, I lost my parents and I soon decided it was time to make the move to Los Angeles. My first intention was to do make up for TV and film and then I made an amazing discovery… I LOVE acting. I think I always wanted to be an actor and for some reason, I thought I couldn’t be an actor. I thought it was something only thin statuesque models could do. Once I lived in Los Angeles and worked on several productions, I realized that every single type of person is needed for different roles. That’s when I started getting serious about acting and taking classes. I acquired an agent and a manager, and haven’t looked back since. Now my life consists of wonderful, Makeup Artist shoots, self tapes, auditions and acting in various productions. My professional life is being both in front and behind the camera.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Anything in life worth having involves some rough roads. I moved to California shortly after my mother passed away. It was one of the hardest times in my life. I woke up one morning with a message in my head…”you are done with Chicago.” I wanted a fresh perspective on life. It wasn’t an easy decision as I was geographically leaving lifelong friends. However the lure of something new, next to the ocean, and a promise of Hollywood Glam, gave me a certain sense of joy and a magic glimmer of a life meant to be lived. One month later I moved to Los Angeles. I would say the biggest struggle now, being a freelance make up artist and an actor, is keeping your mind right. It is not an easy go when the paycheck is different every week. You have to hustle 24 seven for that next job. When the jobs are not plentiful, you have to believe that the next one is right around the corner. And acting… You have to believe that you are the solution that a Casting Director is looking for. Some days are easier than others however it is a constant game of believing in self. A creative freelance career is not for the faint of heart but I would not have it any other way and I am grateful for this life I have curated.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m very lucky to have a career that brings me in touch with so many creatives. In the Makeup world, I am known for natural looks, and making every day people feel their absolute best. Being a more mature woman, I specialize in experienced skin and how to bring out the best features you have because everyone has them! In the Makeup world of Kardashians and ultra glam… I am proud that I can make everyone feel glamorous, beautiful and special without being over the top. In the acting world, I am always a sponge and learning every minute. I love to create new characters and become a part of an ensemble working off of other actors’ strengths. I have attended Second City Improv and there’s nothing better than doing stand-up comedy and making people laugh. It’s one of the most amazing feelings in the world.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was born an artist. My sister always said if there was a basket of rags, she would fold them and count them and I would put on a puppet show. My friends and I were always entertaining the neighborhood with our antics whether that was a play, talent show or cartwheels across the lawn. I grew up with a lake behind my house, so we were always outside in nature. Fishing, softball and turtle races in the summer and ice-skating, igloo building and snowball fights in the winter.. Growing up in the Midwest outside Chicago, I loved all the seasons. I didn’t know I could miss the changing of seasons until I moved to California! However growing up in the Midwest, there was a lot of indoor time in the winter which was a fertile ground for more shows and make up fun!

Pricing:

• Single Makeup Application $450
• Day Rate $900

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lindamichaelsartistry.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelindalmichaels
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linda.michaels1