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

Hi Alba, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I have always been drawn to art and as a kid I intuitively looked for ways to express my creativity, whether that was through painting, crafting, writing, acting or anything else I had access to. However, I didn’t seriously considered pursuing a creative career until it felt like the only option. I come from immigrant parents who didn’t have the luxury to pursue their dreams and who didn’t support my creative career dreams out of fear. In hopes of making my parents proud, I decided to study Business Administration. After a year of working in a corporate environment it became clear to me that if I continued on that path I would be extremely unhappy. That gave me the courage to finally go after the life I’ve always wanted. That of an artist.

Alba, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a professional makeup artist who works in a variety of settings including film, fashion and commercials.
I got into the industry after completing a makeup course and was lucky enough to start working consistently right out of makeup school.
Being a makeup artist entails a lot more than doing makeup. Good communication skills, the ability to work efficiently with a team and the energy you bring to the job are often more important than the makeup itself.
Makeup for me is a collaborative process where both parties give and receive input, anchored in a shared vision. The ability to listen, understand & connect with the people you are working with is crucial & one of my strongest assets as an artist.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Before I answer this question, I think it is important to recognize that art is an absolute necessity in people’s lives. What would the world be without music, dance, poems, films? Art is a direct result of life itself & it has the ability to heal us and shape the future we dream of.
That being said, it is of great significance that we support the artists we know and love. There are many ways in which one can do that. From hiring them, to buying from them, to expressing your appreciation of their art, to telling others about them. If you are not sure how you can support an artist in your life, just ask them! Focus on supporting your local artists; we thrive in community.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Makeup has the power to transform our inner world by transforming our outer appearance. It has the ability to create new stories, stories that empower us and connect us. As someone who works one on one with people, and primarily women, I have the privilege of connecting with them, hearing their personal stories, their struggles, their dreams, their fears. I find incredible joy in making each person I work with feel seen & in reflecting back to them the beauty and power I see in their uniqueness. In a few words, I use my creativity through makeup as a catalyst for positive change.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Albafeinaj.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/albafeinaj
• Facebook: Alba Feinaj
• Linkedin: N/a
• Twitter: N/a
• Youtube: N/a
• Yelp: N/a
• Soundcloud: N/a

Image Credits

Main photo: Clarence Kitt (@clarence.creates on instagram)

Additional photos
#1 Mehdi Dandi
#2 Natasha Kopoon
#3 Albert Hoang
#4 Clarence Kirt
#5 Myself
#6 Myself
#7 Bryan Egan