Interview with Celebrity Make Up Artist Mo Lewit
Reality TV Show Blush Star Maura Lewit Values Collaboration
Mar 9, 2009
Mo Lewit's voice is cheerful and quick - as if she's trying to get in as many words as she can. It's not because she's an over talker-it's because she's helpful and genuinely passionate about her work as a makeup artist.
"I was the first of my friends that started wearing makeup," she said via phone from her home in Las Vegas, where she is currently head makeup artist at the Bellagio Hotel.
Growing up in Chicago (she went to the same high school as The Breakfast Club director John Hughes) her gravitation towards art may have stemmed from her mother.
"My mom is an excellent artist," Lewit said. "For her own enjoyment, she was very good at features-faces and hands and proportions. Of course with makeup we are always asking what can we do to enhance these same features?"
Bluesh Star Mo Lewit Majored in Business - and Theatre
After graduating college with a double major in business and technical theatre, Lewit enrolled in the famed Joe Blasco Cosmetics and Makeup School in Los Angeles. Her studies got her placed quickly and before long she had earned a place doing science fiction films and television. Eventually, further gigs lead to print advertising campaigns for Cirque Du Soleil and her move to Las Vegas.
Still, Lewit maintained a can-do and team attitude.
"I am a novice in sci-fi," she said. "I'm always learning, assisting makeup artists and truly collaborating."
When a script calls for something ghoul or literally out of this world, Lewit has to communicate with the director and the rest of the special effects team to carry out their vision. The same teamwork and listening skills are needed, Lewit said, for a bride's makeup on her wedding day.
"I put people at ease-especially a nervous bride," she said. "Anything I would be doing in life, it would be around people. I wouldn't be behind a desk."
Reality Show Contestant
"There's not a lot of reality in reality TV," Lewit laughed. "But, really, I'm so grateful that I did meet so many friends and professionals through the show. We really did get along really well.
Her experience was further strengthened when, as a group, the contestants would hold learning sessions, teaching each other their techniques and tips.
"I also learned to step outside the box. I would look around the room and see what the other contestants were doing."
Lewit said that with her own clients she could sometimes follow her routine. From her Blush experience, she's been able to challenge herself more, using different colors or even asking herself 'what would Mattie do?'
"Once you've been on a reality TV show," Lewit said. "Nothing scares you anymore."
Examples of Classic Beauty
Lewit refers to classic Hollywood as shaping the images of beauty and flawlessness. They were always camera ready, and embodied the style and elegance of yesteryear. Some of today's stars fall into this category-including The Aviator star and Oscar winner Cate Blanchett.
"She has such a classic beauty, she's really so lovely," Lewit said. "Any look is good on her, avant garde, even the soft floral look. I would also say that recently, Angelina Jolie embodies that classic Hollywood look."
For the average woman, garnering these looks is not impossible, nor does it have to be expensive. It's about gaining knowledge and understanding of an individual's skin and what products will heighten these results.
Lewit suggested some key questions:
- Skin: Is it more on the normal side? Oily? Dry?
- Products: What are the ingredients and what do they really do? Are you paying the right prices for the same amount at a drug store?
- Moisturizers: Once the bottle is opened, how long is the shelf life in your medicine cabinet or vanity shelf?
Lewit recommends the book Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me as a foundation.
"One thing that I highly suggest is to have a makeup lesson by a professional," she said. "They will teach you how to apply the right colors and right products. I personally don't have a favorite brand or product. I just want to make sure to teach you how to look good."
Growing Reputation
Lewit's work on Blush and her reputation outside of Las Vegas, including working with The Notebook actress Rachel McAdams, keeps her busy and continues to challenge her work. She enjoys, she said, helping her clients gain confidence.
"I see in it women all the time," she said. "When they put on the right makeup and when you start showing them how they can enhance their features, they hold themselves higher. You see that transformation."
