Conversations with Lisa G Simon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa G Simon.

Lisa G, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Welcome to my world of beauty! I am a makeup artist, hair stylist, licensed esthetician and photographer residing in southern California. For the first 15 years of my career, I focused on makeup and hair styling. eight years ago I added photography to my repertoire making me a one stop shop for all of your beauty and photography needs! I have worked with many celebrities, brides, and pageant contestants creating looks and photos for their weddings, print media, red carpet, runway, television, boudoir, maternity, personal branding, pageant competitions, appearances and photos.

After graduating from Sonoma State University, I worked in restaurant management. With all of the oils in the air my skin erupted in acne, so I quickly turned to makeup to cover it up. I could cover the acne so well that I would often get compliments about my skin and makeup techniques. After some time I decided that I didn’t just want to cover it up, I wanted to cure it. I made the decision to leave the restaurant industry and went back to school to get my esthetic license. After curing my own skin, I set on a mission to help other women as I know firsthand how acne can diminish your confidence.

My first job after graduating esthetic school was with Pevonia Botanica, the number one skincare line at the time. I was a spa consultant and account manager servicing all of northern California. It was at the time when mineral makeup was making its debut into the world so I thought I could help my clients sell more makeup by offering makeup lessons at their spa! It was a huge success and thus my makeup career began!

Shortly after moving to southern California, I became a west coast makeup artist for both Giorgio Armani Cosmetics and Shu Uemura. I hosted master classes, was a featured speaker at Trend Shows and worked behind the scenes getting models ready for runway shows, live look books and celebrity events.

In 2009, I started working with the Miss California USA organization and became their official makeup artist. Shortly after, I started working across the nation with the Miss USA titleholders in New York, New Mexico, Maine, New Hampshire, Florida and Hawaii. I have worked backstage at both the televised Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.

Some of my celebrity credentials include working with Sarah McLachlan, Alana Stewart, Ariana Huffington, Rita Wilson, Nicole Phelps, Micheal Phelps, Lizzie Green (Nickelodeon), Riele Downs (Henry Danger), Madisyn Shipman (Game Shakers), The Irvine family, BH Cosmetics, Grande Cosmetics, The cast of The House Wives OC, The Miss Universe Organization and The Miss America System.

Celebrity weddings that I have had the honor of working are The Irvine wedding, The McG wedding, The Shandi Finnessey wedding (Miss USA 2004 & television host) and both of the Micheal & Nicole Phelps weddings.

My makeup and hairstyling has appeared on The Hallmark Station, PBS, The Oxygen Network, Pop Sugar, Revolver Films, KTLA, FOX, NBC, The ESPYS, The Oscars, The BET Awards Show, Comic Con, Misha’s Place, The Adobe Suite Forum, BH Cosmetics website, The Hotel Del Coronado and NBC.

I have been featured as a guest makeup artist on The Real Housewives Of Orange County, The Chelsea Handler Show, KTLA and The Home And Food Show.

My work has been printed in magazines such as Vigour, Italian Vogue, GQ, Hello Magazine, OK!, E Entertainment, 944, Bay Fashion, Cat Walk, Bella Glady’s, Locale Magazine Orange County, and National A list. Pageantry and The Riviera.

Five years ago, I picked up a camera for the first time and realized how much I loved the entire process – makeup/hair styling and photography! I have been taking pageant title holder’s local, state, national and international headshots ever since! Many have won Miss Photogenic and a handful have landed in magazines and on billboards across the nation and overseas! I am currently the official headshot photographer for Miss California USA, Miss Hawaii USA, Miss California America and The Miss Collegiate/High School pageants.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The best way to describe how I feel about the journey of my career is the F word… FLEXIBLE (lol)! I work in many facets of the makeup/photography world and flexibility is key and is really what has enabled me to keep very busy in the industry after 23 years. My motto when starting my career was to take every job whether it’s test work or paid because it can lead to future opportunities and is a great way of networking. Back then, I was so young and green and social media didn’t exist. I learned everything in the field and took every job that came my way. Model Mayhem was a big networking site at that time and I lived on it. I was constantly reaching out to so many in the industry offering my services for free- it may sound crazy but those tests (free jobs) always led to paid work because I treated the free work as though it was paid. Today I am a bit more selective with which jobs I take on as I am more established and connected in the industry. I have also come to realize that by taking every single job/opportunity doesn’t allow me to have me time, family time or just time to reset, rest and take care of myself. That is one of the most important things that I can do as a makeup/hair/ artist/photographer is to make sure that I am healthy so I am not canceling on my clients and I show up to my jobs fresh so the work I perform is my best.

In 2015 when I picked up a camera for the first time to create images for my Instagram account, it opened opportunities I could never have imagined. I think because I was already so connected in the beauty world it was a much easier, smoother road in building my photography career. It enabled me to take on more work that I enjoyed in the industry. Sometimes I am doing hair and makeup on large sets for commercials or television shows and then I will be doing headshots, maternity or full glam pageant photography sessions which include makeup and hair out of my home studio. Sometimes I am getting my private clientele ready for the red carpet or charity fundraisers and the next day I might be heading up a makeup team for a large pageant.

With all this being said, I have to admit there are constant ups and downs in this industry, and keeping your head up is one of the hardest struggles out there. There is so much competition and sometimes it’s hard not to compare your work or where you are in your career vs some of the other artists. I am very thankful that I have the most supportive husband and family that when I get in my head they bring me back down to reality and cheer me on!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am dedicated to women’s empowerment and wellness. My clients’ absolute satisfaction is my number one priority. Techniques I use are simple and effective and I have mastered creating an environment of authenticity, connection and trust which enables every woman in my chair, during a photo session and/or a makeup lesson to walk away feeling confident and beautiful in her own skin. I specialize in beauty and fashion makeup and photography, implementing looks that cover a wide range with exceptional results – bold and daring, sexy and eye-catching, romantic and soft, and everything in-between. I am passionate about not only creating a look that my clients will love but the overall experience they have with me. When you feel beautiful you look beautiful, and it’s that kind of happiness that I strive to give to the women I work with. – I hope to work with you soon!

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I have always been an outgoing people person! I love to have fun and be around others! I am also a very loyal person that you can count on in your time of need- often doing for others while not taking the time for myself. Yet I found growing up in Orange County was a bit of a challenge for me when I was younger. I lived in a coastal area but had a big-city outlook on life!

I loved fashion. My mom had a degree in fashion design from FIDM and made all my clothes growing up. She was always about 3-4 months ahead of the trends because she would import all of the European fashion magazines. I remember how excited I would get when one would arrive. I would stare at it for hours on multiple occasions. I loved the fashion but even more the makeup and hair styling. I think that’s where my love for makeup and hair styling grew.

My mom was very into crafting so that’s what we did- painting, flower arranging, & card making- cards were never bought – we made them! We went all out! Everything was bigger then life and I think that was my attitude then and still is!

Upon graduating high school, I had big plans to go to San Francisco State University but my parents talked me into going to Sonoma State University instead- they were scared I wouldn’t thrive in such a big city. When I graduated from SSU, I moved to San Francisco and enrolled in aesthetic school. Living in the city, I finally felt like I belonged! I loved how fashionable the people were, the old architecture was fascinating and the fast pace was thrilling to me!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.beautybylisagartistry.com
• Instagram: @lisagartistry
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100030964973615

Image Credits
Makeup, hair and photography by Lisa G Artistry Gowns, feather top and white pant suit are by Sherri Hill & Jovani Models (in order of the photos): Amanda Presti Stephanie Skinner Cassidy Hikk Tiffany Johnson Abena Akuaba Carly Diamond Stone Kiana Yamat Abena Akuaba