We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kyla Metzker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kyla below.

Kyla, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Although I went to Cosmetology school to do hair, I didn’t learn makeup there. I fell into working on set when I was 19 and have had so many wonderful mentors over the years who have taught me a great deal. Where I have learned the most, however, is by making mistakes.
In retrospect, going to makeup school or working at a makeup counter would have helped me develop my skills much faster, but when I was young I was so scared. That fear of failure has proved to be a big obstacle for me to overcome.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I grew up in Sacramento, California and my mom worked in television as a teleprompter operator. I grew up going to the studio and spent a lot of time in the green room, which I thought was the coolest part of the building! I knew from then on that I wanted to be a makeup artist, and went to cosmetology school at 17.
At 19 I started assisting a wonderful makeup artist who was patient, kind, and taught me skills as well as etiquette. I worked on my first feature at 22 and found I thrived in a team environment and loved playing a small part in story telling through a character’s makeup. Now, a decade in, I have found a love for department heading as I enjoy the creation and character development in addition to organizing a department.
I really believe that the makeup department should be a safe haven for talent and a bright spot for the crew, and I’m honored to get to provide that to the team.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I was in high school I developed a pretty severe drug addiction. I went from being on track to graduate early, to almost not graduating at all. My cosmetology school was also threatening to kick me out due to poor attendance. I got clean just in the nick of time, graduated with my diploma, and got my cosmetology license. I have been clean for almost 13 years and am so grateful. The experiences I have had have helped me relate to and care for others, as well as foster a team environment in a way that I don’t think would have been possible otherwise.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is creating with others. Seeing a finished project that so many people had a hand in creating is a really special thing

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kylametzker.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: The.kyla.jean