Reinvented & Ready - A conversation with Sheila Patel
Posted on Fri, Apr 09, 2010 @ 05:42 PM
Guest post by XuanThu Pham:
"OK, nobody is going to talk to my model right now, I need to finish her eyes," Sheila gently but firmly whispered as she brushed hues of grey on the model's eyelids. The model was talking, and distracted, making it a bit challenging for Sheila to set the makeup in just-the-right-way. Who could blame the model? The whole excitement about getting your personal makeover was hard to keep mum about.
I watched Sheila curiously as she applied customized makeup on two women in a clockwork manner. She was focused. The world buzzing around her - invisible. It's almost as if she was performing a solo dance. A Martha Graham of Makeup, so to speak. The repertoire would go like this:
Brush on eyeshadows. Step back. Look at model. Sheila's eyebrows furrow in slight disapproval as she studies the eyes. Add a few more strokes on the cheek bones. Step back and look. And a sigh of contentment is let out. She finally secured the look she wanted and moves on to the next part of the model's face. Her process was intriguing and for a moment, I wondered if she did yoga stretches before each makeup job since doing makeup involves so much physical movement.
There are many makeup artists in the Bay Area, but once in a while, you meet a professional that has a distinct style, background, and work approach that catches your attention. Sheila Patel is one of them. We recently sat down together and talked about her work, life, and career. Here are some of her thoughts and experiences, which she shared with me:
Me: Tell me about why you do your work and what you have worked on. Who do you work on now?
Sheila: I really enjoy making women look their best by playing up their best features. I'm passionate about makeup and believe that no matter how beautiful you are, good makeup can truly enhance they way you look. I have done the entire gamut of makeup services including TV commercials, MTV, music videos, bridal makeup, fashion shows, and product launches.
In addition, I worked with many actors in India such as Bipasha Basu. I've worked on celebrity brides as well as TV. I've done some prestigious commercials with Coca Cola, Lakmé, and Close Up toothpaste, and a ton of music videos, which were all fun.
Now, I provide services to whoever wants to look great. With individuals, I work on weddings, budding models, and individuals who need that perfect look to make an impression for that very hard to secure job interview. With the B2B space, I can work with ad agencies, film productions, digital media, and music videos, which I've done work for extensively in the past.
Me: What inspires you?
Sheila: My family inspires me to be the best person I can be. Generosity inspires me. OMG, I am sounding like a beauty pageant contestant...occupational hazard. Kevin Aucoin inspires me. My mentor in India, Cory Walia, is another person. Bill Gates and President Barack Obama are also great inspirations for me.
Me: Where do you normally work?
Sheila: I work wherever the location requires me to be. Whether it be studios, wedding locations, movie sets, trailers, etc., I go where the job takes me.
Me: Which specific makeup job have you done that you are most proud of? Why?
Sheila: I was with MTV India at the time and I did a whole series of shows with Malaika Arora called "MTV Love Line." She is very beautiful. The way the show was filmed and styled made Malaika look stunning and it all came together beautifully. I really enjoyed that.
Me: If you have advice to give to people who want to pursue a similar career, what would that be?
Sheila: Follow you heart. If you feel passionate about something, you will find a way to be successful.
Me: Please tell us three interesting factoids about yourself.
Sheila: 1. I love good food, wine, gossip, and great company (is that considered as one factoid?) 2. I am a better cook than a makeup artist. 3. I can't dance.
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Learn more about Sheila Patel at:
sheila@sheilapatelsf.com
www.sheilapatelsf.com
Media contact:
XuanThu Pham
RedRadish Marketing
www.redradishmarketing.com
xuanthu@redradishmarketing.com
XuanThu Pham is a marketing communications consultant, with expertise in helping individual entrepreneurs, early stage businesses, and tech companies develop and launch their marketing programs. She has worked for clients in the technology, services, consumer products, nonprofit, and marketing/advertising spaces in the U.S. and Asia-Pacific regions. Please visit www.redradishmarketing.com to learn more or just to drop by and chat about all things Star Trek, food, and design.