B”H
Welcome to another JLP Profile! JLP Profiles feature Jewish Latin women, who infuse their physical endeavors with spirituality in a unique way. If you missed the first JLP Profile, you can find it here.
Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to an old friend, Patty Zrihen. Patty is a talented makeup artist based in Miami, FL. I had the honor to have Patty do my makeup on my wedding day, ten years ago. Patty has since continued to hone her talent and build a beautiful career that she is passionate about. Lets meet this beautiful lady…
How long have you been doing makeup and how has your skill developed over time?
I’ve been a professional makeup artist now for fourteen years. As a child I enjoyed playing with my mother’s makeup. I was always curious about the mix of colors, the different applications, brushes etc. But my real calling happened sixteen years ago when I took a course in personal makeup, and I discovered how much could be achieved with a few brushstrokes. As with any skill, one needs tremendous amount of practice and effort. It took me many years to gain the clientele that I have now, thank G-d. But, I believe that patience, perseverance, humility, as well as self-confidence has gotten me where I am today. Plus, I am blessed with a wonderful family who supports my artistic endeavors. Finally, I feel like I’m still constantly learning and developing myself as an artist.
How do you think your identity as a Venezuelan Jew has affected your career development?
I grew up in a country where female beauty is almost a cult, and I had the opportunity to learn the art of makeup from an artist who worked several years for the Miss Venezuela contest. I’m grateful for that environment and opportunity, but I’m also grateful that I am able to balance it out with my Jewish heritage which has taught me to see physical beauty not as an end in and of itself, but as a means to reflect a deeper beauty which lies within each of us. Finally, I firmly believe that my work and professional ethic is totally connected to my Jewish identity. My Jewish upbringing has allowed me to toil through life with utmost honesty and confidence. I learned these values from my parents, and I hope to transmit the same to my daughter. I really believe that the Jewish values, our customs, the love of G-d, and respect for our fellow are what guide my life and my behavior, including in my professional work.
What is your goal when you take on a client?
I want to make my client feel at ease, serene, and in peace. There’s a lot of emotion and nervousness on the day of a event such as a wedding, a son’s bar mitzvah and so on. I want my client to relax and ease into the enjoyment of the happy occasion that she is about to experience. If my client arrives to her event in peace and tranquility, I’ve already done half of my job. I accomplish the other half by making her look beautiful for her event. I enhance her features in a way that she does not feel like she’s seeing some stranger in the mirror, but rather, she sees her beautiful self. I get such pleasure when I see my clients’ expression as they see themselves in the mirror when I’m done. It’s really gratifying.
What do you enjoy the most in your work?
Everything, from the cleaning of my brushes, to buying the makeup… Experimenting, researching and trying out new products, sharing my tips and recommendations with my clients… But, I have to say that I enjoy and get great satisfaction from seeing the transformation that happens in my clients both externally, as well as internally. Through my career I’ve discovered that when a woman sees herself beautiful on the outside, there’s an instant change in her posture, her confidence, her attitude. The external beauty is very much related to how a woman views herself within. Inner and outer beauty go very much hand in hand and I feel like I help radiate inner qualities that my client’s have when I enhance their external qualities.
I know you as a very sensitive person, with a keen ability to see deeper into things. I also know you as a person that makes everyone feel extremely comfortable in your presence. How do you think these qualities translate into your work?
My clients often tell me that I transmit peace and tranquility to them when they sit in my chair. I always look at the positive side of my clients’ faces and complement them on their beautiful features. With years and experience I’ve learned that as I get to know some clients more in depth, I end up finding them that their most striking external attributes are directly linked with their inner beauty. Finally, I think I allow my clients to see themselves as beautiful. Beauty is subjective, there’s different tastes for everyone out there. But, for each one of us, our own beauty is or should be totally objective. That is, when I look at myself in the mirror, I only see me as myself, not in relation to anyone else. I think that through my work, I’m able to transmit to them this outlook on beauty.
What are your favorite projects to take on? Why?
I love to do brides and weddings. I love being part of the happiness and joy that a family experiences marrying off a daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece. The bride’s happiness radiates on that day. And I just love the blessings that I get from brides before they go to the chuppa… they always make me cry.
What practical tips can you give JLP readers?
– Don’t ever sleep with mascara- your eye lashes break!
– If you are going to be photographed with flash, use a foundation without SPF at night, because the SPF makes the light bounce and your face look white.
– When you work with a makeup artist make sure his/her brushes are clean and the equipment and materials are organized. This says a lot about them.
How would you describe your work in three words?
Clean, professional, meticulous.
Is she just wonderful or what!? I haven’t seen Patty in almost eight years, so this interview was a beautiful way to reconnect. Thank you Patty, for allowing us a peek into your art and how you infuse it with spirituality. Your dedication, sensitivity, and outlook are a great source of inspiration! To see more of Patty’s work visit www.pattyzrihen.com. And to get her latest tips and recommendations be sure to follow Patty on Instagram and Facebook.
Do you know an exceptional Jewish Latin woman, whose story would inspire a JLP Profile? Please email me your suggestion at jewishlatinprincess@gmail.com
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