Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina Romeo.
Cristina’s diverse and versatile background has kept her perpetually moving toward achieving her greatest potential.
At the age of 7, Cristina began to show an interest in theater arts. Her inner creativity yearned to express itself. Once on stage, it was only natural for her to get involved with learning the techniques of stage makeup. She found it another creative expression in the ability to transform into the characters she portrayed through the use of makeup.
Cristina ultimately became a member of the International Thespian Society. Her newfound love for makeup propelled her toward pursuing a career in the industry. She attended Joe Blasco Makeup Academy at the original Sunset Gower Studios. After a year on intensive daily curriculum, she realized this was the path for her. Cristina moved forward and became a salon artist for years.
She then ventured out to San Francisco, New York and even Florence, Italy where she experienced the highlights and pitfalls of a budding freelance artist. Upon her return to the salon industry, Cristina knew she needed to create her own environment to blossom as a creative force.
Through commitment and passion, her company, Polaris Cosmetics was born. With a continual effort to learn, expand and create, she has embarked upon the freelance world once again from an established and successful business owner perspective. Cristina has collaborated, worked with and for with a high profile list of clientele.
Allowing her the opportunity to participate in the following professionally creative experiences as a lead director of makeup teams at countless company’s fashion shows and events.
Portfolio:
New York Fashion Week Spring 2010, LA Fashion Week Spring 2011, working with Silver Star, Jerell Scott, Korto Momolu, Roberto Cavalli, Cynthia Steffe, LA Fine, Alicion, Ed Hardy, Mark Echo, Gee La Ree, French Connection, A Rock Amore, Nappi, Betsy Johnson, Madison Marcus, Nanette Lepore, Robert Rodriguez, Million Dollar Denim, NCL Couture. NYFW 2014, 2015 & 2016 & 2017 and the Key Makeup Artist for Metropolitan Fashion Week 2016, 2107, 2018.
She also is the Key Makeup artist for 5 years running for the Short Film Festival for the Academy Awards and she has done make up for the last 2 years for the Academy Awards. She is also an educator and artist for Coty/Wella for the Backstage Pass bi-yearly educational event.
With Polaris Cosmetics as her brand that she created and hand developed, it has allowed her the creative outlet to provide exactly the perfect palettes produced to each designers desire and vision.
Has it been a smooth road?
My biggest obstacle was being flexible and objective as a mentor and educate new makeup artists, each person not only learns differently but you would also have to adapt to each artist particular sensitivities and they’d feel entitled to a certain position that they hadn’t earned or deserved. If you are too lenient, they don’t present as professionals and they lord over the other artists, and if you are too hard, then you’ve been stamped a terrible person for expecting them to work as hard as you do.
When you provide them with the very best education, full creative expression, excellent product that has a myriad of possibilities to utilize and a lovely environment to grow in, at some point they need to step up and become the brilliant artists that surpass your talent and ability.
Unfortunately, many artists feign emotional struggle or resign themselves to self-doubt, petty jealousy or even sadder remove themselves from the craft altogether. It is heartbreaking to invest financially, emotionally and spiritually into talented artists who lose their way and blame you for it.
I do have many success stories with artists that I have the pleasure of inspiring and educating, from heading up MAC international, to successful studio artists, television and motion picture, spa directors, educators, successful salon owners, major brand ambassadors, Nars, Too Faced, Mac, Bobbi Brown, Wella, Coty, OPI and much more. I have been excited, motivated and inspired by many wonderful women and men and my personal obstacles have only taught me to be a more insightful and tempered teacher.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I like some of my contemporaries am an eyebrow specialist, I tweeze eyebrows and design them to represent each individual’s lifestyle, face shape, and self-expression. I also provide a safe place for my clients to feel beautiful and cared for and that is accomplished by listening to them and their needs and also I always Fluff up their make up after I have created the perfect eyebrow for them. This way they can glide out of my studio feeling better inside and out.
Also, I think one of the strong suits is the ability to tap into the vision of each designer I work with. I have an innate ability to actually envision what they are trying to express through their season’s collection and provide the perfect makeup look to enhance and compliment it. This talent obviously translates to my clients when I am creating a makeup look for their wedding, party or special event.
I think the one thing that truly sets me apart is that I am still standing as a successful artist after being in this business for over 30 years.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I love L.A.! I am a native Californian and it has been a great experience for me here.
Although other states and countries have provided me great opportunities, I have always loved working here, I have met amazing artists here that I still work with to this day.
I think the reason we’ve all worked so well together is the passion, comradery, and professionalism. No divas, or superiority complexes that doesn’t work here.
People think that’s what it is like and they are mistaken, truly talented and actual working artists are kind, respectful and are team players. There is nothing better than working with these truly brilliant and inspired professional people.
Pricing:
- First-time eyebrows $50
- Makeup Application $150
- Makeup Lesson $100 an hour
Contact Info:
- Address: 18386 Ventura Blvd. Suite #9 Tarzana, CA. 91356
- Website: www.polariscosmetics.com
- Phone: 818-501-4951
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: PolarisCosmetics
- Facebook: Polaris Cosmetics
- Twitter: @Polaris Cosmetic
Image Credit:
Aubrey Loots, Daryl Henderson, Ashley Smith, Errin Sakakini
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