SKINCARE MASTERED
Shot by Gerson Lopes
Words by Kelly Plourde
Yolonda Frederick has a celebrity eye with a Mother Earth heart. Working with the likes of folks including TLC, AnnIe Lebowitz, Roberto Cavalli, Adidas, Ciara, Viacom, Chris Floyd,Walt Disney Company, Sony BMG, Diane Martel, Nike, James Anthony, Derek Blanks and Catherine Serel, Essence, Givenchy, Mertalas and Marcus, Herb Ritts, OutKast, Mademoiselle, Dave Mathews Band, Allure, F. Gary Gray, GQ, Francesco Carrozini and Pernod Ricard. She's been able to showcase her talent and put her commitment to excellence on display for each and every shoot for decades.
She prides herself on knowing how to move around celebrities, her demeanor and loyalty earning the trust of her big name clients, creating looks that inspire people all over the world. Living abroad gave her perspective on life that she brings with her to every job, her expertise bringing out the magic in make-up artistry, creating looks that jump off the page with breathtaking perfection and bringing a cutting edge to classic looks. She credits her longevity in the industry by putting her clients emotions first, creating a space where they feel comfortable.
CLICK TO SHOP: YSL Vinyle Round Camera Bag, Charlotte Tilbury Super Nudes Matte Revolution in Supermodel, Nivea Hand Cream, Linda Halberg Infinity Brows Sketch and Sculpt Brow Designer, Benefit Cosmetics Colorplay Cheek & Lip Tint, Kevin Aucoin Unforgettable Lip Pencil, Cure All Essentials Pure Peppermint Lip Balm
Not only a MUA, Yolonda is an inventor and innovator, creating Glam-O-Ring, an iphone makeup clutch, giving busy people a way to beat their mug on the go; as well as teaming up with long time friend and client, Ciara, to create OAM skin by Ciara. She knows that well cared for skin is the best base for a flawless look.
“I compel everyone to integrate a good sunscreen into your skincare regime, your first foundation is your skin.”
CLICK TO SHOP: Vacation Baby Oil, Lira Clincal Solar Shield, Yensa Skin on Skin Foundation
If she could impart one lesson to anyone looking to get into the MUA industry is to find a good mentor.
“Find someone to shadow who inspires you through their talent, professionalism and business acumen.”
The biggest piece of advice, something she takes to heart for herself, is to never stop learning.
“I’m always growing. I never allow myself to stop learning. You could have become a MUA a year ago and there is something you do that’s Incredible and I want to be inspired by it.”
Knowing how she came up in this industry where leg work and physical portfolio’s were the name of the game, we live in a completely different world today with instant access influencing, she can see the ease in which newcomers can take advantage of the world of 24/7 online interaction.
“Everything is digital and happens in real time. If you want to cut through the industry, you need to be on a platform creating, new, quality and interesting things, marketing yourself to the world…connect and create”
Yolonda isn’t just a creative force, but also an altruistic one. She has a servant's soul, consistently giving back to others with organizations like “The Living Art expo” and “Give Back Foundation”.
“I love giving back, my job pours back into me in a way that is so enriching, it makes me feel like I have a purpose when I can affect someone’s perception of themselves and contribute their self love and self care, it gives me a lot of joy to do that.”
A HUGE & SPECIAL THANKS TO MORE FOLKS yo͞o SHo͝od nō
THE CREDITS:
Starring: Yolonda Frederick-Thompson @YolondaFrederick
Photographer: Gerson Lopes, @GersonLopes_Photographer
Executive Producer: EJ Jamele, @EJ_Jamele
Co-Executive Producers: Lee Palazzo & Tracy Becker, @Lee_Palazzo & @TrakyBecker15
Executive Production: crowdMGMT, @crowdMGMT
Words: Kelly Plourde, @Kelly_In_CT
Makeup Artist: Yolonda Frederick-Thompson @YolondaFrederick
Graphics: crowdMGMT, @crowdMGMT
“I never get bored because I’m always between all the worlds; I’m just as comfortable in a raw, underground space with a red light and a feeling as I am at a super club with a thousand people and the most amazing light show.”TELL US TWO LIES AND A TRUTH FOR YOUR FANS!GUESS THE TRUTH FROM HERE:-I am from England. Born in Havre de Grace, MD. “My first single broke onto the UK charts, actually!”- I am 5’10’ tall. “But I have 6’5 energy.”- I was part of a teen dance troupe named “The Sexy Illusions.”TRUTH UNCOVERED TRUTH: I was part of a teen dance troupe named “The Sexy Illusions.”TELL US THREE ITEMS THAT ARE ALWAYS IN YOUR BAG OR ON YOUR PERSON. ALTAR’D STATE SLING BAG- A good Lip Gloss, and I love Pat Mcgrath’s Lust Gloss!- MAC 24-hour Liquidlast Liner. "I love this eyeliner the most in the whole world, it's the best."- “I need my Zeelool Readers because reading is fundamental!”TELL US THREE ARTISTS YOU’VE WORKED WITH AND WOULD LOVE TO AGAIN.- Lenny Kravitz “I'm an undercover rock kid. I actually wrote “Free” as a rock song”- Nile Rodgers “He’s an absolute ICON”- The third spot is a split between Peter Tong, with whom she worked on an orchestral version on “Free” together and also ICONA POP saying “They (ICONA POP) are geniuses and beautiful women, I love working with women in music!”TELL US THREE ARTISTS YOU’D LIKE TO WORK WITH THAT YOU HAVEN’T YET. -Trevor Horn- “Working with him, that would be the mountaintop”-Missy Elliot - "She’s dope and always has been.”-Pharrell Williams - "He's a phenomenal producer and innovator with an incredible sensibility, for dance, pop and hip-hop!"WHAT ARE YOUR THREE GUILTY PLEASURES TO WATCH?-“I binged watched Queen Charlotte in one day.”-“I’m a Huge Transformers fan, like I will watch those movies over and over, like it’s the first time.”-“I’m a Political news junkie. ”
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