[VIDEO DESC & TRANSCRIPT: Alma is seated in a living room setting. The NAD logo is on the bottom right corner.
ALMA: When a hearing client reached out to me for the first time, I was nervous about communication! I told them I preferred communicating through e-mail first. During that conversation they asked me if I knew how to do a certain style — I did and shared my Instagram and Facebook profile pages with them; that way they could review my work. They were still interested and sent me pictures of what they wanted so I got an idea of what I would do. Then on that day, they directed me to the models when I checked in. I went straight to work. I used gestures and facial expressions to communicate, I checked in with the models often to make sure their make-up wasn’t irritating them. Gesturing really made communication easy! My job is to focus on their make-up. You don’t need complicated communication to do your job right. If a smudge happened, I’d fix it — this is my responsibility. I’d be on stand-by and make sure I was there to fix anything. After an assignment is over, I often ask clients if they liked my work. Clients usually rave about my work. Satisfied customers are exactly what I want!
Black and white clip of Alma blending make-up on a person. Next clip of Alma’s make-up spread with various products. In the center, a white border surrounds white text “ALMA” underneath, appears in white text “MAKE-UP ARTIST.”
ALMA: My name is Alma Altamirano, I’m from Los Angeles and I’m a make-up artist.
Black and white clip of Alma filling in a client’s brows.
ALMA: I actually am a mobile make-up artist. I travel to clients for their convenience, like weddings, quinceaneras, and so on.
Black and white close up of Alma’s hands as she chooses make-up tools and products from her spread.
ALMA: I graduated from Gardena High School’s mainstreamed program. I went to college and decided to take a slight detour with my make-up hobby. I’m a freelance make-up artist to give myself some flexibility. Honestly, I thought doing make-up was just my hobby but then I realized that it was my heart’s calling so I continued.
Black and white close up of various make-up brushes.
ALMA: At first, I only did make-up for my friends and family. One day, a good friend of mine, Stef, signed me up as a volunteer at DEAFestival where I worked with ten models. I remember being so overwhelmed because it was my first time. After the event, the models told me how much they loved my work. And that’s how I got to where I am now, because of these well-known models who referred me to other people.
Black and white clip of Alma blending in make-up on a client.
ALMA: I learned how to do make-up from YouTube, which became popular around 2016. I’d watch and tried things out. I became a self-taught make-up artist from videos, even from videos that had no captioning! Obviously that was disappointing, so I decided to make my own ASL videos which were deaf-friendly. Some deaf make-up artists actually prefer to watch ASL tutorials instead of videos with captions because the captions aren’t always accurate. My videos are easier to understand because I sign and show what products I use and so on. People wanted more so I started sharing videos on my Facebook page. People wanted more so I started sharing videos on my Facebook page and the rest is history.
Black and white close up of a client’s make-up being worked on by Alma. White text appears at the bottom center, “I was supposed to be an art teacher actually! But I tried painting, drawing, sculpturing — nothing interested me. I thought make-up was just a hobby!” Light blue text “- Alma” and a light blue line outlines the left side of the text.
ALMA: As I got into it, I realized how much I loved it and I knew I wanted to keep doing it! It didn’t bore me at all. I really love what I do and I’m not stopping!
Black and white close up clip of Alma applying mascara to a client’s eyes.
ALMA: A week before the assignment, clients contact me for an appointment. I always ask for their email and what their make-up style they want. I ask what the occasion is and what they’ll wear, like a dress or a rock star outfit. I also ask for a photo sample of what they’re looking for. From there, we agree on what they’re looking for. Oftentimes, clients reach out to me on Facebook, sometimes on video phone. I like to be prepared in advance so when I arrive, I already know what to do and it just makes it easier.
Black and white close up clip of Alma picking out products from her spread.
ALMA: Like a resume, I use my Instagram to show my work. Clients can find what they want. I always share my work on Instagram and Facebook — it is usually how they find me too. I suggest going to deaf events and if someone mentions they need a make-up artist, go and volunteer. Consider any deaf event like expos and deaf film festivals. Have your friends refer you! When my friends ask for help — I always help them! I have a couple of friends who are make-up artists too and I refer them for jobs that I can’t do. There must be a bigger deaf make-up artist community so we can have a team of make-up artists!
Black and white clip of Alma starting on her client’s brows. Next clip, close up of Alma applying mascara on a client. Video cuts to grey background with the NAD logo quickly changing in different bright colors from teal to white to black to hot pink to green to orange to teal to yellow to purple to finally the official NAD logo with copyright text underneath “The National Association of the Deaf (c) 2019 All Rights Reserved”.]