Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - The Heist World Tour

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Tour – The Heist

Maile and me on the flight...
On our way!!!

I was recently invited to tag along on a 4 city tour doing makeup for the back up dancers, The Macklemorette’s, the Rebecca, Cellist and as it turns out a couple of the male performers for Macklemore & Ryan Lewis The Heist World Tour…was such an honor and amazing experience.

I feel very lucky that I had the chance to evn be backstage at all...I just kept pinching myself thinking 'I am not cool enough to be here'.  There ae such amazing performers and artists and just listening to them talk about writing their songs or practicing their instraments was sureal!  It was the opportunity of a lifetime and I can now check that off my bucket list.  
"Makeup artists for a 6-time Grammy Nominated Performers Tour"

I had no idea what to expect when I arrived and was totally intimidated by the thought of being backstage with all these amazingly talented people.  As it turns out, it felt exactly like being in the locker rooms as a SeaGal at the Hawks Games.  Doing the makeup felt exactly like doing a brides makeup for the first time…everyone just wants to look fabulous and feel great. 

Everyone was chill and easy going and with all of us from Seattle there was already a connection and many common threads that made the conversations easy and natural. 

Rebecca Chung Filice, Cellist for
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
World Tour

Each performer had a little different need or request, some wanted off the wall fun crazy makeup, others wanted a more traditional stage makeup look, and others just didn't want to have to do it themselves (I love that reason, my favorite)!

We did heavy winged cat eyes, we tried bright blues, and bright golds...as well as a seafoam green all over the lid winged all the way out to the temple.  It looked absolutely stricking on stage.

A great makeup artists’ goal should always be to make the client feel calm and comfortable and give them an hour to relax and chill before they have to be ‘on’ the rest of the night (hosting an event, attending a wedding, or performing in front of 40,000 screaming fans)…this was how I went into each concert.  I wanted whoever sat in my chair to relax and feel just a little more confidant and excited when they performed.

Ray Dalton singer on Grammy Nominated
song 'The Ceiling Cant Hold Us' one of
my favorites!

Anna, lead dancer and
choreographer for Macklemorette's
(as they are known)

The first concert was a trial run for everyone…a little nervous (bad experiences in the past) and a little concerned that I wouldn’t listen to what they were comfortable with for makeup looks.

Andrew Jocyln lead of strings section and
violinist, sporting his new 'Guy-Liner'.

By the last concert in San Francisco we were all ready to try some fun crazy looks with different color combinations and intense eye makeup.  We had a trust level at that point where everyone was able to sit back and relax.  That is when it clicks and it's fun for everyone!!!

Number one thing I took away from this adventure was to trust my talent (10%) and to be myself (90%).  Reading what the person in my chair wants and listening to everything they say, and then interpreting that into what I will do to make them feel and look fabulous….male, female, , homecoming girls, grandmothers of the bride, Grammy nominated performer, and everyone else!  I love what I do and I am lucky that people feel it is worth it to pay me for it!  

Cheers to living the dream and not working a day in our lives!