Today the CGS Team is proud to present a quick Q&A session with Celebrity Make-up Artist Starlynn Burden. Starlynn is a make-up artist out of Los Angeles, CA and is working her way up in the industry. Starlynn Burden over a decade in makeup and skincare experience. Her experience ranges from TV, film, print models and music videos.
Starlynn’s clients include Stevie Wonder, Kendra C Johnson, Teyonah Parris, Danielle Brooks, Xosha Roqueford, Ava Duvernay ,Christina Elmore, Lance Gross, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Judith Hill, N’Dambi, Nikki Grier, Stacey Barthe and Nicole Beharie. Starlynn’s signature flawless finish is recognizable on any skin tone. She has created red carpet looks for the SAG Awards, NAACP Image Awards, the B.E.T. awards, Grammys, Hoodie Awards, American Music Awards and various movie premieres and film festivals.
Her print work includes Rolling Stone, Maxim, US Weekly, Black Enterprise, Bloomberg Businessweek, Bright Ideas, Emmy Mag, Vogue Italia, Glamour, Essence, Variety, NY Mag, LA Mag, The Hollywood Reporter,OK, Juicy and Rolling Out Magazine. Key artist film credits include The Last Fall and upcoming film Pass the Light. Starlynn is currently working at Time Warner Cable Sportsnet doing makeup for both English and Spanish sports shows. Starlynn is truly on the fast track to becoming an elite celebrity makeup artist.
The CGS Team encourages financial independence among women, as well as looking and feeling fabulous! We are always happy to feature women with the same values. Check out Starlynn’s exclusive interview and some pictures of her work below!
Some of Starlynn’s Work:
CGS: How did you get started doing make-up and what are some of your greatest accomplishments?
Starlynn: I started doing makeup in college. I was a part of the competition dance team at California State University, Fullerton and we had to where full makeup for performances, including eyelashes. I got lots of practice trying to copy looks I saw from magazines and music videos. I got a job at the mall in the cosmetic department where I learned tips and tricks from other makeup artists. After graduating I realized that I had a passion for makeup so I continued with it.
I would say some of my biggest accomplishments would be being Key Makeup Artist for my first film starring Lance Gross and Nicole Beharie titled The Last Fall, working with music legend Stevie Wonder for the last 3 years, and working with amazing director Ava DuVernay for the Selma Film press tour.
CGS: City Girl Savings is all about working towards financial independence while maintaining a fashionable lifestyle, how important do you think it is for women to save?
Starlynn: It’s important to save a little from each gig if you can because the life of a freelance makeup artist can be up and down . You always want to make sure you have a little something for a rainy day.
CGS: What advice would you give to aspiring make-up artists who do not have large amounts of money to spend on tools and products?
Starlynn: I would tell an aspiring makeup artist that doesn’t have a lot of money for expensive products to check out drug store makeup. There are a lot of brands that are of excellent quality that aren’t expensive at all. At the end of the day it’s your technique and not necessarily the product. Items such as lipstick, mascara, and shadows can be found at very reasonable prices. Also, attending makeup conventions such as IMATS or The Makeup Show can be extremely helpful. Many top brands are there selling products at a discount and the top beauty professionals are there to teach seminars and provide advice about the industry.
CGS: What are your favorite “go-to” make-up looks?
Starlynn: My signature look is really all about perfecting the skin and giving it a natural glow. I always use a beauty blender to apply foundation and concealer. They create a seamless finish. Brushes sometimes leave streaks. I love using bronzer and fine shimmer highlighters to achieve a natural contoured face. I live for matte lipsticks and flirty wispy lashes. I have the philosophy that less is more especially for red carpet. I use makeup to enhance natural beauty not to hide or distract from it.
Follow Starlynn!
Stay up to date with Starlynn’s current and upcoming projects by checking out her website and following her on social media!
IMDB: Starlynn Burden
Instagram: @SavvyStarBeauty
