Working with Linda Mason

When was a newbie makeup artist, I had the chance to assist Linda Mason. If you don’t know who she is, Google her. She is an true artist who happened to apply makeup as her career. Linda has a wildly free hand and a brilliant mind to match.

I don’t remember how I met her, but I assisted her at a few fashion shows — which meant I set up and cleaned up her kit. I handed her things and observed her work. The experience was invaluable. Especially for such a knowledge sponge, like me. (I also met a stylist while working with Linda that eventually introduced me to my husband of 30 years.)

What she gave me was permission to fly. Her canvas was always full of color explosions, expressively applied where she saw it. It was everything from bolds to pastels. And you know me, I’m all about simple, classic and neutrals. This quirky makeup was one of many that I was into at that time for editorial.

She also taught me to use makeup in random ways: foundation to block out lip color with matted blush on top of that. Eyeliner smeared on as a smokey eye. These tips and techniques I brought with me and taught my artists years later. They also came in handy inventing products. (My gel liner came from lining eyes with a waterproof mascara.)

Linda is still a working makeup artist, painter and is creator of her own line, Beauty Art Makeup. I can’t thank her enough for those experiences.