Gabriela Hernandez, the author of Classic Beauty: The History of Makeup and the founder of Besame Cosmetics, is today’s guest. Her childhood fascination with beauty rituals at an early age and knowledge gained from studying vintage cosmetics led her into the makeup industry.
Gabriela discusses her book on today's show and highlights makeup use in different periods. She also talks about her company, products, her journey in the cosmetics industry, notable personalities she has worked with, and projects she has handled.
Besides, she reviews beauty items in the twenty-first century and their significance as a symbol of status. She also emphasizes the need to embrace environmentally-friendly makeup materials.
This episode discusses various skills makeup artists need to embrace, including dedication, practice, focus, and adaptability.
About Gabriela
When she was a little girl in Buenos Aires, the beauty rituals of Gabriela's older relatives fascinated her. The Burbank-based artist spent years studying vintage cosmetics and after graduating from Art Center College of Design, she began designing makeup packaging. Digging deeper into the history, she wrote the book Classic Beauty: The History of Makeup, and in 2004 she created her version of a 1920s lipstick and started her company, Bésame Cosmetics.
Today the company manufactures mascara, lipstick, and powders; offers period beauty classes; and runs a boutique where patrons, including makeup designers on period films and TV shows, can immerse themselves in the charms of earlier generations. The ingredients, design, and packaging are drawn from a century of techniques and products. Gabriela is also a make-up historian and a board member of the make-up museum in New York.
Links
Besame Cosmetics - besamecosmetics.com
Classic Beauty: The History of Makeup - amazon.com
Classic Beauty Podcast - spotify.com
