Latinos In The US: Makeup Artist Geoffrey Rodriguez Talks His Career, Growing Up Latino And His Roots

Celebrity makeup artist Geoffrey Rodriguez is well known in the makeup community, as his professional presence can be seen in editorial, print and advertising industries. Having worked on some of the most influential faces in the world, Rodriguez has worked with Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, Vogue Italia Editor-in-Chief Franca Sozzani, Harper’s Bazaar’s Glenda Bailey and actress Emma Watson. Rodriguez spoke to Latin Times about his experience growing up Latino and breaking into the beauty world.

Latin Times: Tell us what it was like growing up as a Latino?

Geoffrey Rodriguez: I suppose I had what can be called a very typical mid-sixties "American" experience growing up. As much as we were always aware of and celebrated our culture at home, I grew up with a mixture of children from different backgrounds -- mainly Caucasian, but also from a wide variety of ethnicities, whose families were all striving to be very American. There was a general emphasis on assimilating in those days but in retrospect it seemed rather normal and while we were always taught to be proud Latinos we were also taught the importance of being proud Americans.

LT: How did you manage to keep in touch with your ethnic roots, growing up in America?

GR: My grandparents -- particularly my grandmothers were very loving, but always taught us about our ethnic roots. From sharing stories, cooking, music, to taking us to local Mexican celebrations/fiestas, my grandparents were the most influential and I treasure the memories and traditions I was taught.

LT: When and how did you realize you wanted to be a makeup artist?

GR: Very early I suppose. I was constantly drawing as a child, particularly women. Either the women that were familiar to me but especially glamorous female celebrities, and I would always draw very detailed make-up. As well, my mother and her sisters were all quite glamorous and beauty has always played a tremendous role in their lives, so that has also had a tremendous influence.

LT: Was it difficult being a Latino to enter this field?

GR: Not difficult at all. I am very proud to be amongst the many Latinos working in the industry.

LT: You've worked on editorial projects, advertising and special events. Do you have a favorite?

GR: I love that I get to do a variety of work and find each to be very rewarding, but I think what makes my work the most gratifying is the collaboration with creative people, creating beautiful images as well as making people feel beautiful.

LT: Thus far, what has been the best moment of your career?

GR: That’s a very difficult question as I’ve had many monumental moments in my career and feel very blessed that more and more keep coming. I am however extremely proud of the fact that I have worked with the most influential fashion editors of our time; American Vogue’s Anna Wintour and Lisa Love, Vogue Italia’s Franca Sozzani, Harper’s Bazaar’s Glenda Bailey and former French Vogue Editor Carine Roitfeld.

LT: As a makeup artist, what is the best advice you can give our readers?

GR: Always embrace and celebrate your own beauty and individuality. Beauty effects everyone therefore how you feel as an individual plays a crucial role in everything you do. It is so important that we all are able to look in the mirror and feel beautiful. And that has nothing to do with being vanity, but more to do with self-love and nurturing.

You can follow Geoffrey Rodriguez on Twitter @grbeauty or visit his website.