Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolina Ruiz (helena Fox)
Hi Carolina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I come from a distant land, nestled in the cold mountains high above the earth, where it rains almost every day, and the weather shifts unpredictably—it can hail or blaze your skin under the clear, sunny sky, all in the same day. That place is the beautiful Bogotá, Colombia.
Artistically, I come from a deeply loving and supportive family that recognized from the start that I was meant to be an artist. My mom, an educator, never judged me—she encouraged me to be who I wanted to be and supported every artsy little project I pursued. She’s incredibly crafty herself and has always been my biggest supporter and fan.
I was accepted into one of the most prestigious universities in my country, where I pursued a Bachelor of Arts. After graduating, I worked in a gallery but quickly realized that the behind-the-scenes “museum culture” didn’t resonate with me. I felt the pressure to conform to a specific image of an “artist.” This experience challenged me, but it also pushed me to forge my own creative identity, free from the expectations of the art world. Inspired by punk and hardcore influences, I embraced my rebellious spirit, experimented boldly with fashion and makeup, and had fun breaking the mold.
My journey into the world of makeup began during university, when I worked on various media assignments. I would help with covering tattoos, adding blood effects, or creating full character makeups on myself for different projects. It was fun, but at the time, I never considered it a viable career.
After leaving the gallery, I spent five years working as a visual effects artist for LED screens in live events and television. I started in the company handling basic graphic design tasks and gradually worked my way up to lead designer, managing the design team, and even touring with some of the biggest entertainment shows on Colombian TV. This is where I truly learned about production and television. I was fortunate to have incredible bosses who recognized my artistic side and supported me in any way they could. They encouraged me to pursue my passion, so while working there, I took on makeup jobs on the side. I even had the opportunity to work with renowned Latin artists like Diego Torres, Pedro Capó, and Lalo Ebratt.
I also began teaching Stage and Fantasy Makeup at a college, which I found incredibly fulfilling. At the same time, I discovered a love for makeup competitions! I ranked Top 5 and Top 15 in the Colombian version of the Freedom and Artistry for Creative Expression (FACE) Awards by NYX Professional Makeup for two consecutive years. Additionally, I was a runner-up for the Next Level of Cosplay Scholarship from Cinema Makeup School.
With the support of my bosses, I visited LA for the first time as a tourist. I took a Creature Maquette Sculpting course at Cinema Makeup School, and around the same time, I was invited to the NYX Professional Makeup, Global Influencer Week, an event that took place all over the city. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love—with LA’s history, its people, and its energy. As I stood at the airport, tears in my eyes, I promised myself I would find a way to return the following year.
When COVID hit, my dreams felt like they were put on hold. But as the world paused, so did many of the top makeup artists I admired from movies and television. Stuck at home, they began offering online classes and mentorship, opening up opportunities I never imagined. I took countless sanitation and COVID certifications, enrolled in special effects courses at Stan Winston School, and joined Zoom talks hosted by Frends Beauty, where industry legends shared their insights.
During one of those talks, I discovered James and Dyane Mackinnon’s Beauty Masterclass Online. They hosted monthly live sessions, where renowned makeup artists judged our entries for themed makeup challenges. This was my chance to showcase my work to the very people I looked up to, receive valuable feedback, and refine my craft. I poured my heart into every submission, pushing myself to impress them and absorb every piece of knowledge I could.
My big break came when a foreign production arrived in town under the alias Longboard. I took a job as a makeup assistant and pushed myself to the limit—working in some of the most remote, challenging, and even dangerous locations. I worked 12-hour days, often with overtime, six days a week for nearly nine months. But all that hard work paid off.
The crew was mostly Colombian, with U.S.-based heads of departments and select cast and crew members. While working on that series—now streaming as Echo 3 on Apple TV+—I met the people who would change my life forever.
Blaise Iacofano, now my boyfriend, and I bonded after he had a memorable fall in the jungle, and we quickly started helping each other on set. Jessica Ann Collins, our incredible female lead, was an absolute dream to work with. She not only noticed how I took care of her looks on set, but she also saw me as both an artist and a person. Halfway through shooting, she requested production to make me her personal makeup artist, and I ended up co-designing her looks alongside our showrunner and director, Mark Boal—a two-time Academy Award winner.
After the show wrapped, I decided to visit LA for my summer vacation. While I was there, I started attending makeup events and meeting other artists. To my surprise, many of them offered me job opportunities—but I wasn’t expecting it, nor was I allowed to work under a tourist visa. Determined to make it happen, I poured all my savings into hiring immigration lawyers, with the support of my Echo 3 family and loved ones, and began preparing my case. After months of uncertainty, financial strain, and countless sleepless nights, I finally received my O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary abilities in motion pictures and TV.
It felt like everything had led to this moment. As someone new to both the city and the industry, I got off to a solid start—until the 2023 strikes hit, sending everything into a rollercoaster. Still, through all the ups and downs, I’ve had some incredible wins. Among them, I was honored to receive the 2023 Jarritos Artist Grant in the makeup category. I also became part of the Universal Studios Hollywood Special Effects Makeup and Masks team for MageeFX, and I was recently accepted into the Television Academy’s Makeup and Hair peer group—an achievement truly worth celebrating.
I’m deeply grateful to this city and the amazing people I’ve met along the way. I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most talented directors, artists, and crews in the industry, and I’ve been on sets I once only dreamed about. Learning from some of the industry’s best during the pandemic led me here, to a place where many of them are now not just my peers, but also my friends.
Right now, I’m in the process of renewing my visa so I can continue building my career in the U.S. It’s a challenging journey, but I’m determined to see it through and find out what’s next. Every day, I feel more certain that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t want to sound negative, but there have definitely been challenges along the way. While I consider my English to be pretty strong, it’s not just the language that can be difficult—it’s also the culture, the slang, and the little details that sometimes get lost in translation. I know I’m capable, but it’s frustrating to feel like even my best efforts aren’t always enough. A lot of people have told me to work on losing my accent (which isn’t even that thick) to blend in more, and that’s a tough pill to swallow.
On top of that, leaving my family and everything I knew back home has been heartbreaking. Being Colombian also carries a certain weight of judgment. Even though my visa allows me to travel back and forth, I’ve been legally advised not to return for now, which makes it even harder.
Arriving in Hollywood during one of its most challenging times hasn’t been easy—going through the immigration process every three years, not being a citizen, and only being allowed to work in makeup has been a financial struggle. But despite everything, I stay patient, hopeful, and excited for what’s ahead. With each experience, I know I’m getting closer to the future I’ve always dreamed of. I’m working toward becoming a Local 706 makeup artist, and every day I move one step closer to that goal—knowing it will bring me closer to working on the films and shows I came all this way to be a part of.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think most people see me as a special effects and character makeup artist, which I love. I’ve always been obsessed with zombies, monsters, horror, and all things Halloween—that’s how I got my start. But lately, I’ve been drawn more to hyper-realism, which is probably why I’m still so focused on a career in film and TV. A lot of people don’t realize how challenging it is to trick the eye with today’s 4K and 8K cameras—those high-end lenses capture every tiny detail, every pore on the skin. It’s tough, but that’s also what makes the craft so rewarding.
I love creating subtle makeup details, like trauma or different stages of sickness, that blend seamlessly into a film. If the audience doesn’t notice anything out of place or gets completely lost in the story without being distracted by the makeup—that’s my happy place.
It’s hard for me to say what sets me apart from other artists because, at the end of the day, we’re all practicing a technical craft that anyone can learn with enough time, discipline, and dedication. But what I bring to the table is reliability, honesty, and hard work. I treat everyone in my chair like they’re number one on the call sheet—whether they are or not (within their time constraints, of course!). I want every person I work on to feel like my personal masterpiece, like when they are done they’re walking straight into Sotheby’s. I’ve received that kind of feedback before, and it’s something I take a lot of pride in.
At the end of the day, we’re not just working on blank canvases—we’re working with real people, each with their own emotions, struggles, and fears. Empathy is what I strive to bring the most.
My background in the arts has definitely shaped the way I think. I approach problem-solving differently than most—I don’t overthink colors; I just mix and adjust naturally. I instinctively recall references from artwork that inspire my makeup designs, and those skills come not only from painting but also from developing color film photography, studying art history, aesthetics, engraving, and many other classes I’ve taken over the years. Even if I don’t consciously remember every lesson, those experiences are still stored in my mind and resurface when I need them.
I’d also like to highlight that I am one of the few makeup artists whose entire kit has never been tested on animals and contains no animal byproducts. As a vegan, I’ve spent years researching for cruelty-free and vegan brands to curate a professional kit that not only delivers the performance I require for each specific job, but also aligns with my ethical values—something that most clients truly appreciate. There is absolutely no need for animal exploitation, even in the name of beauty.
But honestly, what I’m most proud of is showing up for myself every single day. No matter how rocky the road gets, I keep pushing forward, learning, and grinding. I’m constantly seeking out new knowledge and skills—I’ll never stop. I want to be an inspiration for anyone out there, especially those in faraway places with little to no resources, dreaming of making it through their art—whatever that may be. Dreams do come true, but the real challenge is keeping them alive.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
The Last Looks podcast by Jaime Leigh McIntosh is my go-to, especially when I’m feeling discouraged or down. Hearing the stories, adventures, and struggles of the artists I admire gives me perspective and motivation. I love listening while doing mundane tasks like laundry or washing dishes—it makes me feel like I’m learning and making the most of my time, even during the less exciting parts of the day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.helenafoxmakeup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenafox333
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10285876/
Image Credits
Additional Photos
#2 – Still Photography: Pablo Arellano for Echo 3, AppleTV+
#3 – Still “Candy Puppet” – Directed by Angela Statnik
#7 – Monitor still “The Bad Guy” – Directed by Morgan Ann Hammen
#8 – Photographer: Mateo Moreno for “Hasta el Cogote x Guillotina”
