Kathy Aragon is a professional makeup artist and hair stylist represented by Timothy Priano Artists in New York. At this year’s The Makeup Show 2009 NYC, Kathy presented her personal techniques for a fresh face in her workshop, Camera Ready Makeup.

I sat down with Kathy and got the 411 on her inspirations to her personal advice for starting a career in makeup!

Victoria: What or Who inspired you to pursue a career in makeup?

Kathy: My mother owns a salon and, to be involved in the family business, I studied to be an aesthetician.

Victoria: At what point did you decide this would be your career path?

Kathy: I found that cosmetic lines carried in salons did not meet my needs as a makeup artist. I developed a line of cosmetics for the pro-artist and set up photo-shoots to showcase the products. By setting up my own photo-shoots, I quickly realized that I liked the art of doing makeup more than retail. I focused on makeup artistry and did not further develop the cosmetic line.

Victoria: As makeup artists, we all have people who are our mentors, who is your makeup mentor and why? And do you have a makeup artist that inspires you?

Kathy: I have so many! Suzanne Patterson for her personal guidance from the beginning of my career along with Michael DeVellis and James Vincent for showing me I can do more than I thought I could do. Michael invited me to present at The Makeup Show and I was nervous about public speaking. They guided me step-by-step so that I could present the information I wanted to share with other artists!… Alexandru Abagiu inspires me.

Victoria: Through your career, you have worked with many celebrities and traveled to a number of places in the world—what has been the highlight of your career?

Kathy: Working with The Powder Group and hosting my first makeup workshop on Camera Ready Makeup at The Makeup Show NYC 2009.

Victoria: In terms of makeup applications, what is your signature style?

Kathy: Fresh, clean, youthful skin. Once the skin is perfected, everything else falls into place.

Victoria: What are your favorite “must have” products in your kit?

Kathy: Face Atelier Foundation, Benefit High Beam, Nars Duo Copacabana /St. Barts, and OCC Lip Tar for staining the lips.

Victoria: Do you have a “secret weapon” product you can share with us?

Kathy: 3 Custom Color Clarifying Pencil

Victoria: Your workshop at The Makeup Show NYC 2009 is on Camera Ready Makeup. What key points are you covering at this workshop?

Kathy: Detailing, detailing, detailing! Mainly focus on detailing for blending, coverage, lashes, and lips for photography.

Victoria: What are you looking forward to checking out at this year’s Makeup Show?

Kathy: Embryolisse Moisturizer because you can use it as both a moisturizer and foundation primer, and the new Lip Tar colors from OCC

Victoria: For those who are interested in a career in makeup, what advice do you have?

Kathy: Search out and contact a makeup mentor. See if you can assist a professional working makeup artist. There are also great organizations, such as The Powder Group, who are a wonderful support system and offer the best information on the business from working pros.

For more on Kathy Aragon’s work in Makeup and Hair, visit her website http://www.kathyaragon.com