Graduate Spotlight

Graduate Spotlight Spotlight

In the 20 years Make-up Designory has been teaching students, numerous graduates have gone on to achieve prosperous careers. Meet three graduates who have taken the knowledge they gained to achieve prosperous careers. Meet three graduates who have taken the knowledge they gained into different thriving directions. Lora Arellano graduated from MUD in July of 2006. She has since into different thriving directions. Lora Arellano graduated from MUD in July of 2006. She has since started her own cosmetic line, Melt Cosmetics, with her business partner, Dana Bomar. Lora also started her own cosmetic line, Melt Cosmetics, with her business partner, Dana Bomar. Lora also has a successful career as a celebrity make-up artist, working with Rihanna, Iggy Azalea, and Serena has a successful career as a celebrity make-up artist, working with Rihanna, Iggy Azalea, and Serena Williams to name a few. Angel Radefeld-Wright, one of MUD’s fi rst graduates from 1999, has built Williams to name a few. Angel Radefeld-Wright, one of MUD’s fi rst graduates from 1999, has built a fl ourishing career in the fi lm and television industry with over 50 credits to her name, including a fl ourishing career in the fi lm and television industry with over 50 credits to her name, including the largely successful fi lm, the largely successful fi lm, La La Land La La Land. She is currently the Department Head on Showtime’s . She is currently the Department Head on Showtime’s Ray Donovan Donovan. Nicole Faulkner, who graduated in August of 2010, has quickly made a name for herself . Nicole Faulkner, who graduated in August of 2010, has quickly made a name for herself in the beauty and entertainment industries, working with Jeffree Star, Pentatonix, Def Leppard, and in the beauty and entertainment industries, working with Jeffree Star, Pentatonix, Def Leppard, and more. Earlier this year she was nominated for an Emmy Award, and is currently touring the world more. Earlier this year she was nominated for an Emmy Award, and is currently touring the world teaching master classes on her “Lipsticknick Beauty Tour.” These graduates prove that with passion teaching master classes on her “Lipsticknick Beauty Tour.” These graduates prove that with passion and drive you can make your own mark in the world of make-up. and drive you can make your own mark in the world of make-up.

LORA ARELLANO

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT MUD?

I was born and raised in L.A. I decided to pursue a career in make-up after reading “Making Faces” by Kevin Aucoin. I was obsessed with the way you could transform someone into a completely different person. A friend in the industry referred me to MUD. The passion every student had was contagious.

WHAT WAS YOUR BEST DAY AT MUD?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?

I am signed to the agency Cloutier Remix. I’ve traveled the world doing make-up for tours, editorials, commercials, music videos, television, fashion shows, and red carpet events. I also own my own company, Melt Cosmetics. I volunteered to be the model the day we did blood tubing. It was extremely fun having blood squirt out of a giant wound they applied to my head!

SHARE SOME LESSONS LEARNED AT MUD.

The color wheel was completely new to me. I also loved the tips on color matching skin.

WHAT DID YOU DO RIGHT AFTER MUD?

I freelanced for about two years doing mostly unpaid jobs. After that, I worked at a make-up counter for fi ve years while balancing freelance work. When I got my big break I left the counter to freelance and run Melt Cosmetics full time.

WOULD YOU HAVE DONE ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY?

I would not because I felt prepared when I left the school, and confi dence in any job is key.

DO YOU STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE FRIENDS YOU MADE AT MUD?

I stay in touch with a few friends. Networking is extremely important. Throughout your entire career, you’ll never stop networking.

ANY ADVICE FOR TODAY’S MUD STUDENTS?

Go in excited and give it everything. It will pass by so fast! Say yes to everything. Any opportunity, paid or not, can open the door to a new one. •

ANGEL RADEFELD-WRIGHT

WHAT LED YOU TO MUD?

I realized make-up was a passion while doing plays in high school. After graduation, I drove to L.A. from Kansas with my car and cats behind a U-Haul.

SHARE SOME CAREER HIGHLIGHTS.

I’m currently the department head on Showtime’s Ray Donovan. I recently served as assistant make-up department head for La La Land. Other highlights are Little Miss Sunshine, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and The Hangover.

WHAT DID YOU DO RIGHT AFTER MUD?

I did background work on a movie, where I learned a lot about being on a set. Every morning at 4 a.m. I showed up at Universal for an hour of hair and make-up. There were over twenty hair and make-up artists. It’s all come full circle, and I’ve worked with some of them as peers since then.

DO YOU STAY IN TOUCH WITH ANYONE FROM MUD? WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT MUD?

I was frustrated at certain lessons that I thought I could never master, like laying beards. I also had NO money, which gave me the drive to never give up—I had left everything back in the Midwest for this!

SHARE SOME LESSONS LEARNED AT MUD.

Byrd Holland, the father of the school director (now the CEO), gave us a lesson in set etiquette. He was a retired master of the craft and had been working on sets longer than I had been alive. His words are my golden rule book.

ANY ADVICE FOR TODAY’S MUD STUDENTS?

Learn as much as you can. Take all of the programs and ask questions. NEVER GIVE UP! No job is too little and no position is too small. You never know who you’ll meet on that job and where it could lead you. •

I stay in touch with my mentors and teachers. Keeping connections in this business is a must. There are people I email or talk to on the phone that I physically haven’t seen in years, but we recommend each other for jobs all the time.

NICOLE FAULKNER

WHAT LED YOU TO MUD?

I grew up in Corona, CA, south of L.A. I always loved art. I toyed with the idea of fashion school, tattoo artistry, and architecture. My junior year I dove into the world of make-up for a class project. I researched schools and fell in love with MUD.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BEST DAY AT MUD.

It was my last day. I was so proud and felt READY for whatever. I’ve always been ambitious, and my MUD experience gave me that extra juice I needed to get out there and hustle.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?

I’m a freelance artist in L.A. working for some of the biggest directors, musicians, and celebrities—from Def Leppard to Leah Remini, Pentatonix, Hanah Lux Davis, and Michelle Visage of Ru Paul’s Drag Race. I also work with MAC Cosmetics, Benefi t Cosmetics, and Jeffree Star Cosmetics for video content or campaign ads.

SHARE SOME LESSONS LEARNED AT MUD.

Working on my classmates at MUD gave me hands-on experience. Everyone’s eye shape, skin texture, and skin tone are so different. It was nice to face everything you’re afraid of in class so you’re not insecure when you’re out there working.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?

WHAT DID YOU DO RIGHT AFTER MUD?

I freelanced even while I was still in school. I worked with LA Film School and networked a lot, taking every job I could even for no pay. I did test shoots with photographers to get my name out there. When I graduated, I booked music videos, short fi lms, and small feature fi lms. I worked part-time at MAC Cosmetics. I specialize in avant garde make-ups and “heavy glam” looks, but A LOT of jobs require simple clean beauty make-ups. I’ve had to train myself to hold back and execute clean, camera-ready looks.

ANY ADVICE FOR TODAY’S MUD STUDENTS?

Be positive, be grateful, make art, and be nice to each other! •