We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ricardo Delgado. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ricardo below.
Alright, Ricardo thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was becoming a full time freelance artist. I’m originally from Boston, MA. I was a self taught makeup artist until I landed a job with MAC Cosmetics in April 2003. Back in the day MAC trainings were top tier! So, extensive! I soaked it all up like a sponge and just kept getting better. I stayed with them for 10.5 yrs and will always be forever grateful.
In August 2013 I moved to NYC with no real plan. I had been in retail so long, it was all I knew. So, I continued on with a few brands : Illamasqua, Charlotte Tilbury and Chanel. All of which are amazing and again, I learned so much. I started testing on my days of with different photographers and realized there was something missing in my day to day… creativity!
I started getting approached by clients to come to their home and do their makeup for events. In one evening I had made enough money to pay my rent for the month. I was shook! I was also approached to do makeup for different editorials. So, I thought to myself,” why am I working fulltime and not feeling fulfilled? Why am I passing up amazing opportunities because of my 5 day retail schedule? Why am I scrolling through social media envious of others and the opportunities given to them? Why not me?!?
In 2018 I took it upon myself to bite the bullet. Goodbye to retail hours and scheduling , financial stability, company discounts and health insurance. Hello to chasing my dreams, chasing down invoices, and wondering when my next gig/check was coming. I’ve had incredible endeavors, been published in magazines, worked on campaigns, traveled for work, become agency represented , learned to be my own boss and met some magical people along the way. Don’t get me wrong, i hustle and I struggle. But, I’m so grateful to everyone who took a chance on me and let me realize I could take a chance on myself.
Ricardo, 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?
If you were to ask my mum, she would say I’ve always been an artist. But, who’s mum doesn’t display their work on the fridge?!? At a young age I had wrapped myself in the arts. While other kids were cheering on sports teams, i was admiring glossy fashion magazine and top models. So, in high school my focus was photography. North Quincy High School was the only school in my district that offered a photography program and I had to be there. The first half of the year was book work. Guess what, I failed. Second part of the year was hands on with the camera, rolling & developing film and our own prints. Guess what, I aced it! Seeing the beauty of life through a lens and capturing moments was my passion. I soon started getting recognition, awards and scholarships. I attended the Hallmark Institute of Photography and realized… maybe this wasn’t my path after all.
I got wrapped up in nightlife at 15. I wanted to be like the NY club kids. I’d slap some glitter on my face, wear some interesting looks and cause a scene. This lead to me becoming a gogo dancer by 20. I started doing makeup on a few of the other dancers and it kinda took off from there. By 2003 I started my professional makeup career with MAC Cosmetics.
Working for MAC was my dream job! The creativity, the individuality, the overall vibe was it for me ! Plus, I was getting paid to do what I love. . After 10.5 with the brand I was certified in almost everything. From basic application to tattoo cover, to fashion show. I do love a good old “ beat”. But, once I did my first NYFW… the real passion for beauty ignited.
My aesthetic is beauty with restraint. The ability to create clean glowing skin is my signature. I love to enhance and elevate my clients to the most beautiful versions of themselves. I focus on beauty and editorial work. It’s really hard to say my proudest moment. I’ve had so many. Every job I do is special to me and I still get chills like it’s my first day. The first wedding I did in my early career will always leave a lasting impression. The fact that someone entrusted me with their makeup on their most special day will stay with me forever. Walking through soho in New York and seeing a poster of a bridal campaign that I did plastered everywhere was mind blowing. I was tearing up in a crowded street. I finally made it! Having worked on campaigns for Shiseido is like nothing I could have ever imagined. I’m living the dream and I want to continue by sharing my gift of beauty with everyone.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
One misconception about makeup artists is that it’s “a hobby”. I do love what I do and it’s a lot of fun. But, it’s also my livelihood. I’ve had people shocked when I tell them my rate. I think what most don’t consider is you’re paying for experience ( I’ve been in the industry for over 20 yrs), time and travel, cost of each product/tools/supplies and restocking them in our kits, admin hours. The price we charge reflects our attention to detail, sanitation and giving you a full luxury experience.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is helping make others visions of themselves come to life. Seeing their reaction as you connect with and elevate them,
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.distinctartists.com/makeup/ricardodelgado
- Instagram: Touchthisskin
- Tiktok: _touchthisskin
Image Credits
Credit in order: Photographers: Image 1 Ankur Maniar Image 2 Geoffrey Mazur Image 3 Geoffrey Mazur Image 4 Holly Parker Image 5 Benjo Arwas Image 6 Andrew Morales Image 7 Monica Baddar Image 8 Kevin Alexander