I love interviewing people. I especially love interviewing amazingly talented people who make you feel right at home when you’re in their presence. That was the case when I met Celebrity Makeup Artist Merrell Hollis. This is my second time chatting with the talented (and super-handsome) pro-artist (read my first interview with Merrell here). I met him at The Makeup Show Orlando this year and loved his keynote! Recently, I put on my Glamazon Margo interviewing cap and chatted with Merrell for the Glamazons. Check out the interview below.
Celebrity Makeup Artist Merrell Hollis is the kind of person you fall in love with as soon as you meet him. He’s got a unique mix of charm and humility that makes you feel like you’re instant BFFs. I saw him give an amazing keynote speech at The Makeup Show Orlando and was blown away!
Glamazon Margo: How did you get your start as a professional makeup artist?
Merrell Hollis: I began my career as a makeup artist when I was seventeen. I had a passion for the makeup industry and decided to sneak onto a shoot with R&B group 112. I bought a set of makeup brushes and pretended to be the makeup artist on set – until I got caught! The real key makeup artist, Maurice Beaman, was nice and allowed me to stay anyway. It wasn’t long before I was being nurtured under the apprentice of Maurice Beaman, who mentored and imparted expert advice that I still follow today.
GM: You’re the brilliant mind behind Wendy Williams’ glamour! She looked gorgeous hosting the Soul Train Awards. What’s it like working with her?
MH: I love working with the “Talk Show Diva” Ms. Wendy Williams. We’re now in our seventh season of the show and I have grown so much with her creatively and professionally. Thankfully, she trusts me with her looks. I’ve been there since the beginning but she still likes to challenge me, which makes it exciting to work there every day.
GM: You’re also the 2014 Artistic Director of Black Opal Cosmetics. What does that role entail?
MH: It has been great! Working with Black Opal, a trusted and international beauty brand, allows me to relate with consumers in different ways from giving special appearances to working on photo-shoots for ad campaigns to giving input on the latest trends based off of my celebrity and industry experience. I also work closely with Black Opal’s Sr. Marketing Director, Maya Brown, on the visual aspects on the products and what goes into the products. It truly is an amazing ride.
Read the full interview over at the Glamazons blog!
Ciao Bellas,
