We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lizzy Polanco. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lizzy below.
Alright, Lizzy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was surprising a young girl named Lily with a makeover. It has been the most meaningful and memorable project for me because she is battling brain cancer yet she is so full of life and she is so knowledgeable in makeup too!
My career has provided me with the opportunities to work in different areas of entertainment and through it I’ve been able to meet and work with some outstanding people. One of those individuals is Princess Sarah Culberson of Sierra Leone. I’ve been doing her makeup for a few years now. Sarah is a humanitarian and keynote speaker.
I was asked by Sarah if I would be interested in donating my time with a nonprofit called The Dream Machine Foundation. I was told about Lily and her story about how she has been battling brain cancer since she was two years old and I immediately said yes to giving back.
The Dream Machine set up a day where Sarah and I were to arrive to Lily’s house and surprise her with a princess makeover and a surprise trip to Disneyland. I was excited and nervous because I wanted to make sure that this would be a day this little girl would never forget. Little did I know, this would also be a day I will never forget. We arrived to Lily’s house with The Dream Machine and we were greeted by Lily’s parents whom were super excited and overjoyed that we were going to surprise their daughter. They shared with us the challenges they’ve faced being parents to a child that has been battling cancer since she was a toddler and how special it is to them to make fond memories with their daughter.
A short time later, Lily emerged from her room to her enthusiastic surprise of being told that she was going to get her hair and makeup done and will be heading to Disneyland with Sarah. Upon getting Lily in my chair to start on her makeup, she was quick to point out all her favorite makeup brands that she saw in my kit and she told me how she loves watching makeup tutorial videos. I was very impressed at how knowledgeable she was in regards to makeup and how she truly does light up a room.
We spoke about the kind of eyeshadow colors she wanted on her eyes and the lipstick and blush colors she wanted to wear for her Disneyland outing. She impressed me with her knowledge on makeup products and application. Most of all, she impressed me with her beautiful energy and perspective on life despite her battling cancer. When I finished her makeup, I handed her a mirror and she was so happy with her makeup she looked at her parents in delight and when I glanced over at her parents, they were crying happy tears and that touched my heart that I started to tear up as well.
Seeing and hearing her reaction meant a lot to me. She sparked purpose in me and through my experience with doing her makeup, I’ve been on a mission to give back more. Although I love my career and the people and projects I get to work on, I feel an immense sense of purpose when I’m able to give back by doing makeup and giving them a lasting memory.
Lizzy, 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’ve been doing makeup professionally for over a decade. I provide makeup services for studios and high end clientele. My makeup ranges from commercials, print, branded content, tv, and headshots.
What sets me apart from other’s is my ability to create seamless makeup that translates well on camera. A lot of directors and photographers often compliment me on my makeup application and how it reads well on camera. That is something I pride myself in because I’m constantly challenging myself to create the most seamless makeup application every time I have someone in my chair.
I enjoy the process of applying makeup in different steps. Sometimes I start with the eyes first, then I move to the base, then I go back to the eyes, then I apply washes of color to the bone structure and cheeks, then I go back to the eyes etc. I don’t laser focus on starting each makeup application the same way because every person’s face is different, therefore I apply their makeup in a customized manner.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is being able to work amongst other creatives and getting to do what I love for a living. Every project is different and I enjoy that very much.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Contact Info:
- Website: Lizzypolanco.com
- Instagram: Lizzy_Lawless
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzy-polanco-32b8a794?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
Kyle Thomas, Lindsay Rosenberg Photography