WITH more than seven years in the makeup industry, and inflamed with a profound passion for its nuances, Kerry Woolford is an inspiration to women with low self-esteem. She has emerged as one of Guyana’s most outstanding professional make-up artists.
Most people would carve a career path from a young age. Kerry, on the other hand, found hers through being an Engineering student at the City College of New York!

As the old adage goes: “If you can’t find your dream, it’ll find you”.

Kerry’s ability to apply makeup comes from years of mandatory makeup application while performing for both theatre and dance schools. “That’s why I’m so well versed in theatrical makeup and can make my clients’ makeup look good even after sweating,” a beaming Kerry says.

“It’s mind boggling, but my plans never come into fruition. The mere fact that I’m a makeup artist wasn’t my plan. I was an Engineering student in College; and before (that), a Dance Major in high school!” says Kerry.

For a young woman in her 20s, Kerry holds many plans that have led her to focus on work. She grasps opportunities that she desires and works towards self-improvement to better her talent. She also recognises her mistakes and corrects them.

For the past two years, Kerry has attended international makeup events, noting: “As a professional, it’s good to network with other professionals around the world.”

Many makeup artists do not have the privilege of meeting celebrity makeup artists. The exception applies to Kerry, since she has met many makeup artists, including Oscar and Emmy winners and other high-profile artists. Throughout her career, Kerry has had the privilege of meeting incredible artists and entrepreneurs. The most inspiring ones are her mother and Mary Kay Directors, Eva Jane, Same Fine, Arlene Villarule, Robin Matthews and a few others.

“They’ve made me realise that it’s more than work and money; it’s about being an inspiration to others, and living a full, well-balanced life through faith,” Kerry disclosed.

Who knew this Engineering student also studied the technique of art in university?! Forever an ‘A’ student in the art field, Kerry, in high spirits, noted that one has to be born with art talent, since its technicalities often undermine it.

“In order to be a makeup artist, you must be an artist”, Kerry says. She is very versed in tertiary level art, which drove her to being a professional at her job. She believes that psychology plays a key role in makeup and understanding culture and people, which will ideally help to deliver a suitable look.

“Thank God I studied World Civilizations, Anthropology and Psychology in college! It’s a big help”, she confessed.

Kerry has applied makeup for many special events, such as fashion shows, tea parties, weddings, birthdays, and most importantly, former parliamentarian Dr. Faith Harding’s for her funeral.

She disclosed that make-up for Dr. Faith Harding’s funeral is the most significant undertaking she has thus far accomplished, since that is the only deceased person on which she has ever applied makeup.

“She’s also one of the most influential women I’ve ever known, and it was an honour to be asked by her family to do her makeup,” Kerry has said.
The biggest, most troubling and alarming challenge Kerry has ever faced is being asked by clients to make them look lighter. This is often the case with those who are caramel-toned. She says it’s offensive at times, as, although she is of mixed ancestry, she is dark in complexion. She says it is appalling that a lot of women ask her to “fix them”, which portrays their lack of confidence not only in their facial features, but also in their skin tone.

Kerry’s makeup tools can cost anywhere from US$50 to US$100; and sometimes it can cost more. She has at least 30 brushes from seven different brands — how pro is that! — and is very particular with her products, since it can take from five minutes to approximately five hours to choose a particular eyeshadow, brush and eyeliner.

“I always look for the highest quality product, which is why I like to use Mary Kay foundations, because the viscosity and fluidity are always just right,” says Kerry.

By sampling different brands, Kerry often receives recommendations from other professionals. She believes it’s an intricate process that is most important to her, since it can be very personal—even the smell is important in choosing her makeup.

Her airbrush paints are enriched with lavender scents, which is pleasant and safe at the same time.

Brushes are usually tough to clean, but Kerry cleans her tools and products every day because she believes that clean products and tools help in promoting good hygiene. She uses an airbrush machine to clean her makeup, which is a technique she learnt while working for an auto company.

“It’s the way engines are cleaned… On some surfaces you can’t just blast water,” she said. Her brush cleaners are antibacterial as well, which prompts her to use rubbing alcohol frequently as well as brush cleaning sprays in between usage. “Because I use such expensive tools and high quality products, they last longer than most, and can be repaired and replaced by the company,” says Kerry.

“Makeup is like clothing for the face. They say the eyes are a window to your soul. The way someone dresses and looks has a major impact on how people treat them. Makeup has the power to make you look either more attractive or uglier. You can be a monster one day or a princess the next, simply by changing your makeup. You can enhance your entire physical appearance from just applying makeup,” Kerry says.

Kerry loves the creativity and artistry of makeup. At first she never liked makeup, because she had never seen it done well while growing up in Georgetown. But living in New York, Kerry says, most people prefer the professional look, and no one does elaborate makeup, since it can be found only on TV or in a theatre.

“There is even a stigma that says only prostitutes or drag queens wear makeup,” said Kerry. She noted that most persons assume that, in order to achieve a professional look, only powder is needed. Kerry declared that assumption negative and false.

“Looking polished,” she says, “takes time and effort and a professional. If people cared about what others see when they look at them, they’d take more pride in their appearance. It’s imperative that we thrive to look our best. Like the Bible story of Esther, taking the time to polish your look can literally aid in saving a nation.”

Her signature look is glamorous and coloured, with smooth, flawless skin tone. Her foundation application looks so smooth that people think her clients have good skin and often question if she did only their eye makeup. How impressive! She loves embracing the adage that “women are like the flowers of the earth.”

Kerry is pretty versatile in her field; and what ideally sets her apart from other makeup artists is the fact that she can make anything look good, from replicating burnt skin to bridal makeup, to theatrical makeup to carnival makeup, to editorial makeup to anything among others.

“When I started five years ago in Guyana, there weren’t many makeup artists pushing those boundaries. What you often find are cosmetologists who do hair and nails and bridal makeup, but none who work for a high-end makeup company, experienced in Theatre and Fine Arts, and is solely dedicated to many aspects of makeup.

“I believe my high school education alone trumps that of many makeup artists in Guyana,” a beaming Kerry says.

Kerry’s mantra is “A woman should always have and wear mascara.” She believes that mascara is one of the most enhancing products that can change the entire appearance of a woman. She advises persons that, instead of wearing fake lashes, apply mascara, since it’s easier and safer. The common mistake Kerry sees trending is over-application of makeup. She noted that many women think they need more, and they need to see to it that it should look flawless and well blended.

“Thick winged eyeliner, overdone brows, fake lashes applied with hair glue, caked foundation, bleeding lipstick or overlined lipsticks, any straight lines…
I’ve heard Sofia Vergara say, ‘you can’t draw a woman with straight lines’. If people say to you ‘your makeup looks nice,’ you’re wearing too much. They should say ‘your face looks flawless; are you wearing makeup?’” Kerry says.

The best advice Kerry can give is that there is nothing more beautiful than a confident woman.

“Love yourself and care about the people around you. Someone is looking up to you, and it is imperative that women remain beautiful, loving and confident.”

By Shivanie Sugrim