Business & Tech

Makeup Artist Lays Down the Law for New Career

Bloomfield Hills' Mara Moss shifts career paths to pursue her passion as a makeup artist.

Mara Moss' fascination with makeup, fashion and creative beauty started at a young age, and remained largely hidden while career and life choices took her on a different path.

But at 38, the Bloomfield Hills mother of two is suppressing her love beauty products and how they can enhance lives no more. After a year of freelance consulting, she recently launched www.maramossmakeup.com, where she highlights her company, services and tips for people who want to look and feel their best.

Already armed with law degree from Wayne State University and a dozen years experience as a licensed financial consultant, Moss set out to live her dream last year and graduated from Livonia's Astute Artistry Makeup School. She also recently became a certified as a MAC Artist Pro and has worked with clients who largely found her through word-of-mouth.

As her client list and bookings grow, she said she is just now finding her niche, and doing what she loves.

"What I really like about makeup is the trans-formative nature of it," the West Bloomfield native explained. "People always want to feel good, confident and look their best and it's great to help empower them to do that."

Moss employs an open, service-oriented approach and comes to each client knowing they each have a particular look that makeup can enhance. Her gift for gab comes in handy, she said, as she tries to learn her client's needs, expectations, and level of fear of using new products.

"One of my responsibilities as a makeup artist is to simultaneously understand my clients and their needs while also introducing them to something new. To move beyond their comfort zone into uncharted, beautiful makeup territory,” Moss said.

Moss also researches the industry, picking up trends so that she can share tips and dish out makeup and fashion advice on her blog.


Surprising similarities

Legal briefs and stuffy conference tables are now replaced by vanities and collapsible make-up kits that Moss uses for proms, special engagements, photo shoots and television appearances. But she said said she's found surprising similarities in her career choices.

Precision, attention to detail and remaining calm under pressure are all needed attributes to both practice law and finish a wedding party or group of models on a strict schedule, she said. That was anticipate how important the communication and interpersonal skills she learned through practicing law would be in her new venture.

"What I enjoyed about the legal profession was the counseling part, being able to help someone who needed help and advise them.  And that's very similar to what I'm doing as a make-up artist," she explained. "I'm able to advise and make you feel better and more comfortable as you're going out. It's not as far as a leap as some people may think it is."

So far, that attitude has been the key to her success, as well as understanding how to target and utilize the most appropriate product in a vast array of choices.

"I think people are overwhelmed in their daily lives, and the amount of product out there is equally overwhelming," she said. "It's almost like it's so much, that it's almost easier to leave it and do nothing. I really felt like I could help navigate this market."

It wasn't easy, coming from a background where she focused on natural beauty and always stuck with what worked. Moss admits she's more comfortable with a more natural, classic style, but has an artistic side that can bring all elements of the color wheel out, when it's right for the client.

In addition to her certifications, Moss admits she's a YouTube junkie, taking in all the make-up tutorials available from around the world.

The versatility and ability to build trust with clients is evident.

"It's essential that that we have someone here to help the clients achieve a certain look. It makes my job as the photographer 125 percent easier," said Karen Lippowiths, owner of in Birmingham.

Lippowiths, who recently opened her studio on the second floor of Merrillwood building, has hired Moss for both commercial and consumer shoots. She said she learned quickly that she could trust Moss as an important part of her team.
 
"It has to be there," she said. "Obviously we're looking for a good technique, but we work as a team and also want someone that will help the client get to the finished product. And that's Mara."

Mara Moss can be reached for bookings and blog topics at mara@maramossmakeup.com.

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