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

Hi Missy, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was always pursing some form of artistic career path. I did music for 13 years and acting for about 3 years. I always knew I wanted to be in the arts and entertainment field. But I think my true awakening for this specific career was when I was six and saw Freddy vs. Jason. There’s a scene where (sorry to those who are squeamish) someone is cut completely in half with Jason’s machete and I got caught with that scene paused and my tiny face being super close to the TV. When I was asked what I was doing, I said, “I’m trying to see the other half of his real body! I know they didn’t really cut him!” And from there it just never stopped. As I got older, “behind the scenes” was a section on DVDs I couldn’t ever skip. I always wanted to know the “how” and it was always one of the coolest things to me. I used to say it was just an interest I had and wasn’t something I could ever do myself. (Clearly, I was wrong.) I wasn’t loving my career choice in college, I had already decided to drop my 13 years of a music path to try and pursue acting but it just wasn’t clicking for me. Once I heard that there was a school in Los Angeles to learn the real how-to’s and make a career out of it, it was a genuine flip switch moment. I made the decision that this was my career path immediately. Everything just made sense to me in that moment and there was no second thoughts or hesitation involved.

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?

My name is Missy Andria and I’m a makeup artist located in Los Angeles. I offer on set makeup applications, beauty services, and special effects makeup.
My goal is, and always has been, to bring ideas into reality. Whether it’s a glam look or a monster look, I ensure that my clients will walk away with their vision being met somehow, someway. I want my clients, both on and off set, to get out of my chair feeling like the best (and sometimes coolest) version of themselves. I love to transform, whether it be with beauty of FX makeup, and ensure a welcoming, loving environment. I like to have fun, chat, and have your time in my chair feel like you’re catching up with an old friend over brunch. I make sure to be welcoming and can ensure you will laugh at least once. I’m also a pretty decent teacher! I love helping my clients with their day to day lives in the world of makeup and skincare, and sending them off with tips and tricks of how to improve their day to day routines. I want my clients to know I don’t believe in gatekeeping and they’re able to ask me anything about makeup, skincare, and FX makeup!

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Everything is so social media heavy nowadays and I think it’s so important that we all remember that a simple “like” and a “share” really goes a long way. It costs zero dollars to just be supportive. Even to other artists! The goal is that we all make it, we all succeed. I think people forget how easily it is to simply interact on social media to help pages and posts grow and I think we see this field as a competition sometimes where in reality, it’s just one big community playground. I think everyone should remember that support shows up in multiple ways and even the smallest act of it can change the trajectory for any artist or creative. As creatives, we should give others the support and attention we’d like back on our art.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is the reactions. Whether it be someone who just loves their beauty makeup or, my personal favorite, someone verbally being icked out by a special effects makeup. I love the joy and happiness I see when their ideas come to life on either themselves or on the character they created or are playing. Being an artist means to move emotionally, to provoke a reaction, and I enjoy each and every time someone ends up blown away and happy with the final results. It’s just a feeling that never gets old and a sight I’ll never get tired of seeing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://missyandria.weebly.com
• Instagram: fx.andriality
• Youtube: Missy Andria

Image Credits

George Lambriodes
Morgan Weistling
Deverill Weekes
Suzy Snowden