September 12, 2016

Meet Los Angeles Makeup Artist: Danielle Baum

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Baum.

Danielle , please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always known I wanted to do makeup, there was really no other option. I recently found an old elementary school year book and under the section “When I Grow Up I Want To Be…” mine said Makeup Artist. The dream of being a working makeup artist in the industry goes as far back as I can remember.

So knowing that at such a young age, I tried to get my hands in it any way that I could. I’m originally from a small town on Long Island, New York so any local fashion shows, school plays, special events, proms-anything really makeup related, I jumped at the opportunity.

In high school, I had the opportunity to take cosmetology and get licensed to do both hair and makeup, after I graduated I worked full time working for SEPHORA to learn about product knowledge while freelancing on the side.

Then 5 years ago I decided to make the move out here to Los Angeles and pursue the dream I’ve always wanted. I didn’t know a single soul when I got here, but I enrolled in Cinema Makeup School (Master Makeup Program) to learn new things, sharpen my skills, meet new people and network. I did a lot of free work in the beginning just to get my name out there, work on set and make connections. This really worked in my favor because a lot of the people I did work with for free prior continued to call me back for paid work and referred me for other gigs and that’s kind of how I grew my freelance career. I have been really fortunate in the fact that all of my clientele has been strictly word of mouth.

Has it been a smooth road?
I mean, I believe in freelancing there’s no such thing as a completely smooth ride, just because you technically go from gig to gig and there’s risk in that there’s no “guaranteed consistency” . There was a point in my life where I thought I wanted and needed the consistency of something full time, so I took a corporate training position with Nars Cosmetics that was offered to me, thinking I would be fulfilled, and although it was a great experience, in the long run, it wasn’t the right fit for me because along the way I ended up having to turn down some of the projects I loved working on the most, because I didn’t have the time to do it, and that killed me. So I guess for me, my personal struggle was just finding the right path in makeup to go down and I’m finally in a spot where it feels right.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
For the future, I really just want to keep moving forward in the direction I am headed. Building my clientele and working consistently doing what I love. Eventually, my goal is to be represented by an agency.

Let’s dig a little deeper into your story. What was the hardest time you’ve had?
I think so far in my career the most challenging time was just to get it started. Although I was working professionally in New York I had kind of a “security blanket” with my friends and family and the familiarity of it all. It was such a huge transition for me to move across the country without knowing anyone and starting fresh. Working for free to meet people while still trying to make ends meet, or taking jobs that were 12/15 hour days for an extremely low rate. There have been many times where I would literally work 24 hours straight and just go from gig to gig because I wanted to do it all and I didn’t want to turn down opportunities because I didn’t know where it could lead next. It was exhausting but worth it.

Are there days when you feel like you’ve done everything you wanted to, careerwise – the “I’ve made it” kind of moments?
I have been really fortunate in my career in the fact that I have worked on some amazing projects that I have dreamt of taking part in years before I ever moved out here. Some incredible moments in my career thus far have been doing makeup for nominees on big award shows like the Grammys, Emmys,and Oscars. Working on amazing music videos with artists such as Jason Derulo, Tyga, and The Wanted. Taking part in beautiful fashion shows with designers such as Michael Costello and working New York Fashion Week. All work, no matter how “big or small” the project is a blessing in its own because I have so much passion for what I do it doesn’t really ever feel like work.

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