What's in for the holidays, according to makeup artist Carl Ray
Carl Ray can't take credit for Michelle Obama's strikingly lovely facial features but as the first lady's makeup artist-in-chief, he is responsible for making them glow from Boston to Beijing, at state dinners, inaugural balls and for TV appearances and magazine covers. When he's not with Mrs. O, Ray can be found at the Four Seasons Hotel's George Salon, where he's been the resident makeup artist for 15 years.
Q. How did you nail this position of First Makeup Artist?
A. I was contacted by a White House personal aide to the East Wing about auditioning for FLOTUS. After doing Mrs. Obama's makeup about three or four times, I got the job. I think my reputation for discretion with my salon clients cinched it for me.
Q. But you're allowed to say that you do her makeup, right?
A. Absolutely! I'm responsible for all her official appearances.
Q. Who are your other clients?
A. Seventy percent are local, and many of those are longstanding customers. Word of mouth plays a big role in my business. The rest of my clientele includes hotel guests (from the Four Seasons as well as other big-name hotels in town) and out-of-town clients.
Q. Do they come in for makeup for special occasions? Any other reasons?
A. There's always something going on in D.C. where people want to be camera-ready because they're going to a wedding, giving a speech, hosting a book signing or chairing a board meeting. Sometimes people come in because they're going on a first date and want to look their best.
Q. What does a makeup session with you cost? How long is it?
A. It's $175 for a 45-to-60-minute makeup application in the salon. If I go to someone's home, it's $250 to $300. Some clients come in to have lashes applied, which costs $20, plus the price of the lashes (either a few individual ones or a whole strip, faux or natural).
Q. Can you share a tip?
A. To make your cheekbones pop, mix a highlighter with your foundation, put it on your brow bone right above your eye and on the bow at the tip of your lip.
Q. You have a lot of celebrity clients. Can you name names? Any men?
A. I did Claire Danes' makeup for last year's White House Correspondents' Dinner and Meryl Streep for the Kennedy Center Honors in 2011. My male clients have included Sir Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and former President Bill Clinton.
Q. What made you decide to be a makeup artist in the first place?
A. I have been painting since I was a child. When I was 13 or 14, my parents were divorced, and my mother was dating. I watched her do her makeup and thought I could do a better job. She let me give it a try.
Q. How did it work out?
A. I'd say pretty well. She's been re-married now for 28 years.