Cinnamon Kitten Q&A with MUA: Tracy Peart

Makeup Artist Q&A Session with: Tracy Peart

Based in: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

How I connected with Tracy: Believe it or not, the first time I saw Tracy, I was in the audience, watching a taping of Cityline (long story). Then I saw her on Twitter and connected with her there. Tracy is absolutely wonderful - warm, friendly and enthusiastic. I sent her a message asking if she'd be open to answering a few questions on my blog and the rest is, as they say, blogging history!

Connect with Tracy:
- Blog: www.tracypmakeup.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TracypMakeup
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/TracypMakeup
- email: tracyp.makeup@gmail.com

Psst...yesterday Tracy announced some super exciting beauty-related news! Check it out at the end of this interview!

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Tracy Peart

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a freelance makeup artist, who was born and raised in Toronto, ON Canada. I’m
loud, silly, a great listener (kinda have to be to be a makeup artist) and a self-proclaimed movie critic…Lol!

I love my job, and I thank God everyday for the fact that I get paid to paint and talk all day!

Are you a full-time MUA? If not, what else do you do?

Yes, I am a full-time makeup artist. I am the makeup artist to Toronto’s Breakfast
Television and Canada’s longest running lifestyle TV show Cityline.

What inspired you to become a MUA? Where did you learn/practice your art?

I originally studied Broadcasting Radio/Television. After I graduated, I worked as a PA (Production Assistant) on films and music videos. I would be so fascinated at what the models in the music videos would start out looking like and what they’d end up looking like after hair and makeup. The transformation was intriguing to me. I started to hang out with the makeup artists on set watching what they were doing, and finally decided to go study makeup.

Tracy working on Tracy Moore, host of CityLine

Do you have a specialty or a signature look/colour?

Clean glamour...that’s the look I do the most and the best!

What do you love most about being a MUA? What do you hate?

I love all the different people I get to meet, paint and have wonderful conversations with. I’m a chatty Cathy, so the fact that I get to talk to and learn about so many different people everyday is a DREAM!

What I hate about being a MUA, is setting up and packing away the contents of my kit. I swear everyday when I lay out all my makeup and put it all away again, I say to myself “One day, I’m gonna be big enough to have an assistant to do this for me”...Lol!!! I just HATE that part of my day!

In your career as a MUA, what has been your favourite or most creative client job?

This might sound corny, but my favorite clients are the two ladies I do everyday and that’s the lovely Tracy Moore (host of Cityline) & Dina Pugliese (Breakfast Television). There are several reason why: 1) Both of them are the reason I have my job on those shows. Together they went into my boss and requested me to be their exclusive makeup artist, and for that I am truly grateful to them both. 2) They’re both a complete blast to work with! I laugh with them every morning and I’ve become true friends with them both outside of work. 3) They’re both incredibly supportive of my work. Lastly, 4) They’re both beautiful, making my job to paint their faces remarkably easy...Lol!

Dina Pugliese, co-host on Breakfast Television

If you could do makeup for a photo shoot for anyone in the world (living or dead, real or fictional), who would it be and why?

Lauryn Hill for sure!!!! I think her face is gorgeous and would be a great canvas to play on. She has beautiful dark colored skin, that bold colors show up on beautifully, stunning high cheek bones and those fabulously full lips. Especially how the top lip doesn’t have a cupid’s bow…it’s just rounded. LOVE IT! Ok, you can see I’ve studied her face quite a bit...Lol!

What makeup brands do you use most in your job and why?

Although I use many many different brands, MAC is the brand most used in my makeup kit. I think MAC stays on the cutting edge of trends, and releases new products monthly. MAC is a well rounded line, with tons of products. They have almost anything you need, especially a range in foundation colors, and that’s very important to me. Being a woman with dark skin, I know how few makeup lines carry products for my color, so I appreciate lines that have a wide variety. Lastly, I have the longest relationship with MAC out of all the lines. I know their products the most.

What are 3 beauty products you can’t live without?

1) Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy “Natural Highlighter” in Gold Luster
2) Beauty Blender Applicator Sponge
3) Smashbox Photofinish Foundation Primer

What current makeup trends are you loving? Any trends you hate?

I’m loving all the bright bold colors being worn on the eyes and lips...just not at the same time. Lol! Makeup is there for us to play with and have fun! There’s no current trends I hate.

Tracy on the set of Breakfast Television

What’s one great beauty tip that you can share with my readers?

My great tip for makeup, is to just wear it!!! I don’t care who you are, makeup can always enhance your beauty. Don’t be afraid to play with it. If you’re not sure how to use it, ask a professional at your local department store beauty counter. If you’re stuck in a rut, change it up by buying a BOLD eyeshadow or lipstick color and blend it with your favorite everyday color and that’s how you can slowly incorporate trends into your makeup routine. Makeup shouldn’t be a chore, it’s meant to be FUN!!!!!!

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As I mentioned at the start of this Q&A post, yesterday, Tracy announced some really cool news - she's launched an iPhone app! Called MakeupiQ, it's "a quiz and makeup game mixed into one. Answer the skill testing makeup questions...the more answers you get correct, the more makeup and hairstyling you can apply to your model. The goal of this app is to help you learn more about makeup application, and have fun while you're learning."

You can compare scores with other players, plus you can email photos of your model to your friends!

Ready to test your Makeup iQ and see how you do against your friends and fellow makeup junkies? You can download the app in the iTunes store, or click here to find out more.

images: all images used in this post belong to Tracy Peart and are used with permission