We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Abby Henkel a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Abby thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I consider each project I do to be meaningful because I strive to put a piece of myself into each one. It might be the colors that tell a story or a small design element that brings personal meaning and cohesiveness to the work.

In terms of a specific project, I created a full airbrush body paint look in honor of my father and his upbringing in Queens, New York. The initial planning took almost a month to be sure each element contributed to the overall story. The end product included 3-D elements of the Statue of Liberty, a comic-inspired city skyline designed to represent her gown, a patina colorway, texture to convey the stone and metal dimensions, windows that would glow in the dark, and his personal zip code numbers hidden throughout. The final look was a true labor of love and required five hours of makeup application.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a professional certified makeup artist. My passion for makeup started at a young age, from making my father look like a zombie for Halloween at 10 years old to full theatrical production SFX applications at 13, I knew my calling was to creatively express my art through makeup. I was able to formalize my education allowing me to know only learn trends, application techniques, and sanitation requirements but to more fully understand makeup as a profession. As my experience within the industry grows, I am proud of the path I have followed as it allows me to not only have this beautiful creative outlet and foster relationships with clients but to also use my expertise as an entrepreneur.

In the pursuit of my passion, I have dedicated my time to mastering everything from beauty makeup, hairstyling, editorial beauty, SFX makeup, prosthetic fabrications, body paint and airbrush applications, TV and film, to commercial headshot work, and traditional wedding makeup.
I try to be true to the unique vision of each job I undertake. My ability to put clients at ease with a fully professional application has led to my work being more and more in demand. I want each client to have a great experience when we work together. I plan each detail of a project, so creative directors and models align, and all project outcomes are met beautifully. I believe my wide range of abilities, from basic glam or beauty makeup to hairstyling to elaborate SFX looks, my professional credentials, and my love for what I do sets me apart from other artists.

I am incredibly proud that I have built such a following and found success in a relatively short period of time at such a young age. I love what I do and I have built a true business out of a personal passion. I set professional goals, met them, and then moved my own goalposts. I look forward to what comes next. In the end, I want people to know how much my work means to me, I care about each project and my client’s success is my success.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish someone had shared with me earlier in my creative journey about the importance of being able to market yourself. You must put yourself out there to make money, people aren’t just going to come knocking on your door, you have to give them an address. You have to build a personal brand and you have to be willing to put in the work- your own hard work is the key to your success. One key to this is social media marketing. There is no escaping social media and you have to know how to build your own audience and engage with them.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think that non-creatives struggle to understand this isn’t just a “fun little hobby” I do, this is my profession. The artistic end product is only the tip of the iceberg. There is a ton of planning, preparation, supplies, sanitation practices, and hours that go into any final work. There are a lot of people who do a quick makeup video on social media and then call themselves a pro-makeup artist without really understanding the full scoop of the creative process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hihello.me/p/c9ede30a-822b-4dec-a4f5-4be346933611
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/applicationsbyabby/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067392806466
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@applicationsbyabby

Image Credits
Headshot: Photographer: Isabelle Albert Red Dress: model Anna Kate Jolly @modelmagazineofficial Eyes closed: Photographer Caitlyn Valora @caitvalora model Kate Anastasia @kate.stas Sugar Skull: Photographer Miguel Saenz model Rose @xprettyredrosex Statue of Liberty: model Sarah Merte @Sarah_merte Star Look: Model Jae Conner Wire Hair: Photographer: @Maiartmedia Model Drew @dr999w Basic Glam: Model Carole Shamel Nasr Action Shot: Photographer @Huberthuyphotography Model Lani @lookingforlani