This girl and I go way back. I had the privilege to meet her during a Christian summer camp (retreat, 2009), and our love for make up instantly sparked our friendship! :)
Kaycee and moi ♥
Kaycee Lim is definitely one of the rising young professional make up artists today. She has touched the faces of Andi-9, Rhian Ramos, Divine Lee and other top models in the country, all because of her talent, skill and love for the craft. Not to mention she graduated from the Australian College of Hair Design and Beauty (ACHDB) at the top of her class (*ehem*1st honor*ehem*)! Kaycee truly takes her passion seriously, and it is seen in the faces she lays her hands on.
Now let's get to know more of our "official" make up artist (she has done our make up in the official photos on this site--banner, blogoversary shoot) through this special interview!
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What sparked your love for make up?
As a little kid, I was already fascinated with make up. I loved watching my mom and titas do their own make up and I especially watch out for the moment when they put their lipstick on. In my adolescent years, (late high school years) I started putting on face powder, cheek tint and lip gloss. (if I remember correctly, that was Ponds face powder, Body Shop cheek tint and Lip-ice lipgloss). Youtube wasn't a big thing back then so there were no video tutorials to watch and learn from.
In my college years I was also known as the girl who always had make up on. That was such a big thing (like i was weird or something) because back then not a lot of girls cared about make up (unlike today, even kids wear make up!)
So my love for make up (on myself) was like inborn already (haha!). But what sparked my love for make up on other people is a different story.
I started out with my "make up career" by selling Mary Kay Skin Care and Cosmetics. At that time I only knew how to do makeup on myself, but my director taught me how to apply it on other people. After many makeovers, I thought to myself, "Wow, I can actually put makeup on other people!" I never really thought of it as a profession until someone told me to be serious about it and try becoming a make up artist then the rest was history.
The MUA in action
What was your course did you take up in ACHDB?
I took up the Diploma Course in Makeup. The diploma includes beauty, bridal, glamour, fashion, theater, camouflage, TV, photography, airbrush, special effects and basic hairstyling.
Natural-look
What products do you use on your clients?
I have different brands inside my kit, since I buy make up for its function not because of its brand.
I have MAC, Bobbi Brown, Mary Kay, Cinema Secrets, Kryolan, Makeup Forever, Revlon, Paladio, Prestige, Elianto, Elf, Maybelline, Etude House, etc. Basically from the high end brand to the drugstore ones.
What is your EDGE as an upcoming make up artist in the swarm of other aspiring MUAs?
Aside from having an Internationally Accredited Diploma, I am very professional and punctual. I also use quality products and I decant them from the pot for hygienic purposes. I am very passionate with my profession and will always deliver my best in every make up creation I do.
Forrest-inspired look
What do you love most about your job?
Aside from the actual make up application (from the foundation to the lipstick), what I love about it is that I get to meet new people, work on different faces, create and experiment with different looks. But the best part of it all is that it doesn't feel like its a job! I get paid to do what I like the most! How cool is that?
Kaycee has also worked on numerous fashion projects such as Rhett Eala, Anz+Rajo Laurel, Blued Fashion Show, Grand Allure for Phil. Fashion Week '09 and the Mango Fashion Show last 2010.
ALSO AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, she has come into terms with her body. This makes her a certified Plump Pinay! :)
On body acceptance:
What is your size?
M-L. Maybe that's around size 9-11. Not sure because most of my clothes are just labled with Medium and Large.
Were you always in this size?
No, I fluctuated from S-L through the years!
If not, how did you come into terms with accepting your body?
I've been dieting all my life. I started at the early age of 12. It came to a point where I got tired of it and that was around 3 years ago. I just told myself that I have to accept my body for what it is, may it be small, medium or large!
Yes, I've tried all sorts of diet. I remember when I was 12 I would skip lunch and just watch my friend eat hers and I'd feel like I was already full. In college I went on a carrot juice diet, pineapple juice diet, drank diet pills, C2 diet, and no rice for maybe a little over four years.
How important are other people’s perception of you to you?
When I was younger I'd say it was important to me, to the point that I would do things just to fit in and please other people. But as I got older, I grew out of that thinking as well. I also realized that I am not an ordinary girl, I may not always fit in, but who cares, it's fun to be out of the ordinary (or in other words, weird. Haha!). We can never please everyone we meet in life. If we worry about it too much then we end up not living our lives and we get stuck in the thought of what other people will think about us.
Message to other Plump Pinays
We are not ordinary women, we are PLUMP and voluptuous so just love every bit of it instead of hating that extra fat you see. Love your own curves because no one will love them for you. Lose weight for the right reasons (health concerns) and not for the wrong ones (ex: getting a boyfriend). We can never change the way they look at us, but we can always change the way we look at ourselves. Just be comfortable in your own skin, don't think or worry of what other people might think of you because its such a waste of time and energy.
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My experience with Kaycee (being her model) is always a fun one. She never fails to lull me to sleep with her very light hand, while her fragrant and well-sanitized brushes always tickle my fancy! Knowing that her products are always in tip-top quality, Kaycee will always be my go-to girl whenever I need serious make up needs. :)
Here's to more projects this 2011! So proud of you, girl! :*
PLUMPIES, WATCH OUT, 'COS KAYCEE'S HAND MIGHT JUST TOUCH YOUR FACE (birthday makeover giveaway coming soon)! ;)
{Facebook: Kaycee Lim Makeup || Tumblr }
Plump love,
Danah
ALL PHOTOS ARE FROM KAYCEE LIM (c)