We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Katz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, what matters most to you?

Thank you for asking!
The Principles that matter most to me are compassion, integrity, and joy.
For me, the answer is trifold, as these values hold significant importance to me.
*Compassion is without a doubt a critical component of who I am, and how I choose (at least do my best!) to express into the world. Life has so many challenges, I truly believe when we allow ourselves the depth of compassion for others and ourselves we open up to the greater good and what is possible.
*Integrity in everything from work ethic, relationships personal and business…everything…the value of keeping one’s word and agreements is paramount. It is reflected for me in my work and the impeccability I strive to bring to each project. I love doing makeups that enhance filmmakers’ ideas, or with private clients enhancing a person’s own feeling of self-worth.
Honoring each person I interact with, whether lead actor or extra, clients, we’re all in this human experience together.
When someone recognizes their greater Self, there is nothing like it. What an honor to be a part of that evolutionary process.
*Joy…Who doesn’t want more joy? I find when I can be an agent for bringing that to anyone it deepens my life’s value.
Interestingly doing makeup/styling/consulting whether for actors, celebrities, business folks, executives, anyone…to be someone who enhances their lives, not just their looks, assisting people moving beyond their self-perceived limitations (limiting beliefs) toward recognizing their own magnificence makes an impact in the world.
Helping people look and feel their best, even a small step, everything counts.
I hold we are all magnificent in our own ways, not from an ego perspective, but from who we really are as human beings. Embracing our inner beauty brings the best in ourselves! And, joyful acceptance. That’s a win.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Be A Warrior for Your Greatest Dreams…. Cameron Crowe
(Because if not you…who?)
Beauty is evocative, transformative and creative.
Always diving deeper into referential art, trends and seeing in new ways to create evocative ideas for looks. Delving into “what makes this work better?” And innovative ideas to bring to the screen or the art.
Makeup for movies, TV, commercials, personal clients of many walks of life…all of it.
Painting/drawing. Watercolor and especially water based colored pencils are a thing for me right now.
I strive to be a good listener, to really hear what someone – actor or private client- expresses, what they envision and assist them in aligning with that.
At times there’s gently allowing them the opportunity to press beyond their boundaries to something ever more wondrous. There’s always another right answer. Sometimes, it’s simply allowing it to percolate to the surface to find it.
This is my M.O. for makeup, image consulting, art work. Life.
I truly care about the work. Everyone is a celebrity in their own way and everyone deserves to be honored and celebrated.
Background:
I’ve been a Film/ TV Makeup artist for over 30 years. Showbiz is in my blood.
From age 4, it was all about dance: ballet, modern, improv for many years.
I got into makeup as a métier while an international haute couture model. It was then I learned the makeup craft at a professional level.
I was pre-med and an emphasis on art in college. Go figure – injury effects were right up my alley for film. I’ve seen the real deal. Serendipity!
This evolved into doing media makeup – primarily Film/TV but also print, Opera and Theatre where I’ve enjoyed a long run.
I’m a member of numerous professional organizations i.e. the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (EMMYS).
As a watercolorist and Film/Television Makeup artist, I’m humbled and honored to have received the prestigious ELLE Beauty Genius Award for my work on LOST (ABC TV) where I was Department Head Makeup.
The work has developed and been deeply influenced by my background as a watercolor painter.
Those techniques continue to be crucial with creating innovative and extraordinarily realistic looks when called for.
My approach to beauty makeup is informed by watercolors sheer layers that create beautiful luminous looks, making skin look flawless without heavy coverage. Glam makeup to me is not about how much to layer on, it’s about strategic application.
These techniques speak to my Film/Television work in beauty, and, what I like to call “textured” makeups. We do makeup on men as well.  I recently did a period Western, Far Haven, in Tucson. Lots of “textured” cowboys in 1887. Beyond awesome fun!

 

I love capturing the vision of the filmmakers. The gamut ranges from clean natural, glam, character – including wounds, bruises, effects. The transforming of actors into someone else, creating another reality!
Red carpet gala makeup? Luminosity is a key element –  plus feeling great about yourself. That’s where true confidence comes shining through.
Most women want to look like their most amazing selves, not someone else. Enhancing a person’s best features evokes their essential self-worth.
This way drives my viewpoint doing and teaching makeup for private clients. It’s also about simplifying the process. A friend once told me I “demystified makeup” for her.
It is an honor to touch and enhance people’s lives, not just their looks, and serve them. I’m grateful to be able to participate in the process. Wouldn’t it be great for us all to express more authentically?
I hold that we are all magnificent in our own unique ways, not from an ego perspective, but from who we really are as human beings. Embracing our inner beauty brings out the best in us. I know I’ve said it before and it bears repeating.
I now offer tutorials to private clients interested in learning to apply makeup for themselves personally, and for makeup artists who want to expand their abilities and repertoire.
It is a delight to help people simplify their process and see themselves in a new way. Light bulb moments! And fun.
I am deeply grateful for my accomplishments and success and do not take any of it lightly.
Being featured as an expert authority and thought leader in major International and National magazines and publications, like ELLE , InStyle, MarieClaire, French Vogue, California Business Magazine.The Wall Street Journal, Skin Inc, and others gives me the opportunity to share and serve in a broad arena.
‘It is always possible to be kind.’
Our world needs it.
Currently open to new clients for makeup and/or styling sessions in person or virtually on Zoom, and always delighted to be doing the gamut from movies, commercials etc. to private clients.
Feel free to connect on LinkedIn, Instagram or through my website.
My website: www.ektruth.com
Instagram: @theemilykatz
The key to happiness is gratitude

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

The Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts is such a terrific venue. I went to see Jake Shimabukuro and the entire venue was filled with his sound. Beautiful acoustic resonance there.
We have art museums. So many exquisite places like the Phoenix Art Museum. The Desert Botanical Garden.
The Downtown area with all the painted walls. Wow. Art explosions wherever you look, and great artwork at that!
Take a hike. I don’t have a favorite here yet…still exploring. I love being outdoors.
Frank Lloyd Wrights’s Taleisin. His works have fascinated me since childhood. I’m fortunate to have been in celebrities’ FLW homes and taken in the incredible detail to  – everything.
Westworld.
A rodeo! There’s an adrenaline rush.
I let my guests tell me where and what they want to investigate but pretty much insist on Sedona. It’s magic.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

My wonderful family. They are magnificent beings are always the ones showing the way of unconditional loving.
My girls prove to be great beauty inspirations for me.
The Dalai Lama.
He has been a deep influence in my way of being, thinking and expressing since early teens.
A favorite of his quotes :
 “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”
His life and works, his devotion in the face of extraordinary circumstances continually provides inspiration. So, yep, the Dalai Lama.
Insight Seminars  based in Los Angeles… where I learned to shift from playing small and stuck to always looking to grow as a  person.
Of course master artists like Michelangelo, Degas, Vermeer, Botticelli; so many from whom I learned of proportion in art and beauty, how the play of light affects a face, everything actually. Their iconic works have greatly molding my work creating makeups that interface with those classic looks. Plus they are major painting inspo!

Website: www.ektruth.com

Instagram: @theemilykatz

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-katz-44044010/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ektruth/

Image Credits
Headshot credit: Tony Taafe, Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ All other shots taken on set by me ( Emily Katz ) Artwork by Emily Katz

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