Just when I thought I couldn’t be any further inspired by the amazing beauty looks that we see on TV and in magazines, I learned about the ridiculously talented celebrity makeup artist Merrell Hollis. Let me give you a little a little background on Merrell because he is no ordinary makeup artist… he’s and Emmy-nominated, award-winning beauty innovator who’s been influencing the fashion and beauty industries for years!
His work has graced the pages of Vogue, Harper’s, Bazaar, InStyle, Vanity Fair, Essence, GQ, Details, Interview, Rolling Stone, People and Men’s Health. (Werk!) He’s worked with Sean ‘P.Diddy’ Coombs, Mary J Blige, Nelly, Usher, Faith Evans and Ludacris and has clientele that includes Naomi Campbell, Diane Von Furstenberg, Kim Cattrall, Joy Bryant and Lauren London! He’s also connected to brands like Bobbi Brown, MAC, Clinique, Versace, Lancôme, and L’Oreal Paris, and Softsheen Carson. (Yep, He’s pretty official!)
Get ready for a dose of glamspiration as Merrell shares details about his new role as the 2014 Artistic Director of Black Opal Cosmetics, what it’s like to work with the talk show diva Wendy Williams, and what we can expect from him this year!
Congrats on your new role as the 2014 Artistic Director of Black Opal Cosmetics! How did this opportunity come about?
Thank you so much for the “congratulations”! I’m so excited about this new position. I have been using the Black Opal ever since I first started working in the makeup industry so when the brand executives approached me it was a no brainer.
What is your vision for your Black Opal collaboration? Any new and exciting things down the pipeline?
My vision for Black Opal is to educate the consumers on how amazing and versatile the products are. There are so many colors and textures to play with making Black Opal a great consumer that professionals can use too. The benefits are endless.
What are the top 3 beauty essentials that every woman should have?
My top three beauty essentials are as follows:
- First and foremost, you have to have Black Opal’s Even True Foundation. A little goes a long way and its completely buildable to full coverage without being cakey or flat.
- Next is the perfect friend foundation: the Beauty Blender. It helps you to apply the perfect application each time.
- Last but not least is using a new sponge. I see so many women using the same old sponge in there compact without changing or cleaning it, which means each time you apply that same powder, you’re going get a different result, because of the oil and dirt that has build up over time. Switch your sponge to keep your makeup and skin fresh.
You’re the brilliant brain behind Wendy Williams’ glamour! What’s it like working with the talk show queen?
I can truly say that this is my dream job! She’s funny, we get each other and my workday there ends at 11 am.
The fashion/beauty industry is tough to break into, especially for a person of color, what advice do you have for those who are looking to follow in your footsteps?
My advice would be to act as if those barriers are non-existent. I feel as though if you put that negative energy out there, that is what you will attract. I’m not saying that roadblocks don’t exist, but in my world, I don’t see them – there are too many other beautiful things that I’d rather look at.
You’ve made your mark as a visionary across multiple platforms within the industry, what would you say is the biggest lesson that you’ve learned within your career?
It’s funny but I feel as if I’m still learning that, as we all are, but my biggest lesson would be “a closed mouth doesn’t get fed”. If you want something, you better go out and get it because when its just handed to you, you’re stuck with what you thought you wanted not what you actually perused.
What else can we expect from you this year? Any exciting projects coming up
Hmm, I guess I can give you a hint: you will be watching me in a new way. I have a few projects coming out this summer and a master class happening in Chicago on April 5th (register here), so stay tuned!
Merrell is such a breath of fresh air! He’s an innovative visionary whose passion for the beauty industry is evident through his amazing work as a professional artist and as the 2014 Artistic Director for Black Opal Cosmetics. I can’t wait to see what big things he has in store for 2014…maybe he’ll be on the TV screen soon…. I think he might have hinted at that!
Ciao Bellas,
