“But mostly it’s the moment you know you’ve changed someone’s perspective about who they are.”
ELENA PACIENZA
Freelance hair and makeup artist.
ORIGIN:
I am born and raised in Canada, but my parents are Italian so I was able to get my Italian citizenship and am now a duo citizen.
BACKGROUND:
I took a makeup course at a private college back in the day and worked for a few years as an assistant at my cousin’s hair salon as well as the invaluable assisting I did on set is the basis of my education.
MY STYLE:
I think my style is summed up by the words “you, on your BEST day!” I think it’s important to work with my client’s or model’s features and make it their own. Beauty is the whole, not just lip color. This can apply to a simple natural look all the way to a crazy fashion editorial idea. It needs to still speak to you and register as something beautiful.
POINT-BREAK:
I can’t see just one event or time in my career where I would say things changed all of a sudden. It’s really been a process all along. I work hard and stay real, and that’s how things have come so far for me to this point.
SCARIEST MOMENT:
At the very beginning… it was terrifying when the artist I assisted would just say “ok go do her makeup! and make it soft.“ I wanted to crawl under the makeup station. SOFT? Like pink? Like natural? What did he mean? What if it sucks?! But it really made me think about my choices and refine what those types of descriptions meant to me. I had to trust, leave fear out of the equation. That’s why I think I always want the most beautiful version I can achieve for whoever is in my chair. I knew if it looked beautiful I would hear a “good job, it’s stunning!” and I could once again breathe.
PROUDEST MOMENT:
There are many things I have been proud of along my career journey, like keeping what I thought was going to be a one-time travel client and getting booked to do a shoot in the Maldives, it’s been four years and I’ve traveled to almost every continent or having Liev Scribers PR requesting me for years in a row at TIFF. These are things that sound good on the resume.
But mostly it’s the moment you know you’ve changed someone’s perspective about who they are.
I can remember one shy tween who sat in my chair, convinced by her mother to do so, who said to me “please help my daughter, she has so much acne she doesn’t want to leave the house!” I really felt for her and I remember as I talked to her reassuring her that even celebrities and models I work with have acne. I saw her change as she started to feel a little more confident. With each tip I gave her and each blemish I showed her could easily be covered she transformed into a new person. Her mother in tears hugged me when I was finished and said “you don’t know how much this has meant to us, you changed our lives!”
Our industry can seem superficial and we know we aren’t saving babies but some days you know that you are really helping someone in your chair whether it’s by showing them a trick or hack that they get so excited about or even just listening to them when they need someone, you see them leave your chair a different person they were when that sat down in it. It makes me proud to do what I do.
GOALS:
To inspire. Makeup artistry has always been part of me. I see myself as part of projects that can change perspective and create new energy! I try not to be too specific so that I allow opportunities to come my way whatever they may be. My goals are simple, keep saying yes to work that moves me. If I can wake up every day and love the gig I’m going to then life is good!
ADVICE:
Stay humble, have a great attitude, and learn everything you can possibly take in about what you love to do. I always remember when I’m on set or at a job that we; those of us in the room as well as those who have hired me are working towards a common goal. Everything you can do to be of service towards that goal will show your value.
I’m not afraid to lift heavy bags or equipment to lend some help or bring in snacks so that everyone gets excited and satisfied while working. People remember who helped accomplish things not what eyeshadow you used. Ask yourself what you bring to the table.
WHERE:
Instagram @elenapacienza
Facebook Elena Pacienza
Website https://elenapacienza.com/
Agency: Folio Management
