Conversations with Alyssa Holbrook

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Holbrook.

Hi Alyssa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I first started doing SFX makeup when I was fifteen years old. At the time, my favorite show was the CW’s Supernatural, and I was completely obsessed with it. There was this character that – to put it lightly – got her head cut off, and an upcoming local comic con was around the corner. I decided I wanted to cosplay this character, but I wasn’t sure how to do the slit throat makeup! So I went to a close-by theatrical store, purchased some cheap materials, and after about two hours of watching YouTube videos I was ready to go!

When I showed my mom the final look, she was utterly appalled. She couldn’t even look at it. And while I was at the convention and people were asking to take photos of me, I realized how much fun I had creating the makeup. I wanted to dive a little deeper. Fast forward three years and I absolutely fell in love with grossing people out and was doing SFX gore makeup completely self-taught. Fun photoshoots with friends, and taking small jobs wherever I could. Eventually, I attended Hollywood’s Cinema Makeup School in 2018-2019, and now I freelance full time in Los Angeles, California!

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?
I would say the biggest struggle I faced was officially making the move from my hometown in Utah, back to Los Angeles this last December of 2021. I had lived in LA for the duration of attending school but afterward decided to return to Utah to save up some money. Then of course, the pandemic hit, so after about two years of being home, it was really difficult to make the decision to come back. I moved here knowing nobody – no friends, no family, and not a whole lot of connections in the industry, either – but I don’t regret it one bit. Since I’ve moved here, I have furthered my career more than I ever thought possible, and I continue to do so every day!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My specialty that I take great pride in is creating realistic wounds and injuries with SFX makeup. This was something I started out with, so grossing people out will always hold a special place in my heart. I think what sets me apart from others is the patience I have for learning the techniques – it’s not always easy to use the materials, but that never stopped me. Wound SFX is definitely what I am most known for. Whenever someone needs blood, I’m the guy to call.

What does success mean to you?
I think success is an interesting term because every single person has their own definition. For myself personally, as long as I am truly happy in my own life – creating positive relationships, doing what I love each day, standing up for myself – all the while having the opportunity to afford to travel, invest, and eat good food, I am successful.

Contact Info:

• Website: AlyssaSFX.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/alyssa.sfx