Interview with Celebrity Makeup Artist Lora Arellano

If you’re anything like us, you find all of your quick makeup tips and tricks by sifting through instagram tags and sitting through YouTube tutorials. One of our biggest beauty and style inspirations has been Lora Arellano, who is a makeup artist from Los Angeles, she also runs one of the most gorgeous beauty Instagram pages (@Lora_Arellano) that boasts dazzling lip colors and makeup looks. Lora’s passion and enthusiasm for lips and cosmetics led her to team up with Dana Bomar and the two founded Melt Cosmetics — which offers some of the most beautiful matte lipsticks and cosmetics! We got to ask Lora some questions about her background in makeup and were inspired by her work and motivation!

TDD: A lot of people like to play around with makeup but only a select few are bold enough to make it big in makeup. Can you tell me about your makeup career and how you first got started with makeup?

Lora: I was always very artistically inclined, at the end of high school I started dabbling in makeup, just putting makeup on myself and on friends, I really fell in love with it when I got my hands on the Kevyn Aucoin book “Making Faces.” I realized makeup serves a purpose, being a makeup artist has a purpose it can completely change a persons face, fix imperfections, or just make a woman or man feel more confident, and I love that about makeup. Right after high school, I went to Makeup Designory in Burbank, and realized that was my career path. Fast forward 11 years later, I am signed to one of LA’s top agencies Cloutier Remix, I own my own makeup brand, and the best part is that this world is so digitally driven now, people can see and I can inspire others to achieve their dreams too. I have SO much love [and] patience for makeup and it’s actually very therapeutic for me, and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else in my life!

TDD: You’re from Los Angeles, do you think the culture here inspired you and your work?

Lora: I definitely get inspired from different cultures around the world, people in LA are definitely trend savvy and being around all the different styles and local museums is a great way to get inspired.

TDD: What was it like working with celebrity clients like Rihanna and the beautiful women from Basketball Wives?

Lora: Never a dull moment! It’s also inspiring to get to work with such talented, powerful women, get to know them, and have them share their light with me!

TDD: You started Melt Cosmetics with Dana because you both were talking about your ideas of the perfect lipstick, right? Melt cosmetics has been around for two years since then. Can you tell me more about creating the line with Dana and how Melt cosmetics came to be?

Lora: Dana and I worked at makeup counters next to each other for a few years, since the first day we spoke we instantly bonded. After a while working there, we both felt stuck in our day jobs, and we both wanted to try something different and fun! Over brunch one day, we decided to start a little side business, our own cosmetics line. So we started with 5 lipstick shades — our idea of the “perfect Ultra matte“ lipstick — 5 ultra matte ultra unique shades! little did we know, that it would become what it is today, we dedicate most of our time to it, we now have Melt Cosmetics Headquarters, we have a full team, and our line is expanding every year! Sky’s the limit and this is only the beginning.

TDD: What is your favorite lip color of all time?

Lora: I live in red lipstick, preferably a blue-based red lipstick, it compliments most skin tones and it’s so classic.

TDD: What’s the most difficult thing about being in the makeup industry?

Lora: I would say the most difficult thing for anyone in the makeup industry is building connections and getting noticed. It’s something that takes a lot of dedication, persistence and hard work.

TDD: What is your favorite thing about working in the makeup industry?

Lora: My favorite thing is working on set, whether it’s for a music video or editorial. It’s such a long process, but my favorite thing is seeing the end result after a long shoot, it’s the best feeling!

TDD: What is your daily makeup routine?

Lora: I do like to wear makeup everyday, so I start off by cleansing my face, prepping with
lots of moisturizer — my favorite at the moment is Kate Somerville oil free hydrating serum.

On a day-to-day basis, I love to wear MUFE ultra HD foundation set with a sheer loose powder, color my brows in with Dior universal brow pencil, add a bit of mascara, Laura Mercier waterproof mascara. Add a touch of bronzer, and complete with my favorite lip, usually Belladonna2 by Melt cosmetics, or a nude shade.

TDD: Over the years, I’m sure you’ve learned some shortcuts and some tips for everyday make-up. Can you share some with us?

Lora: One of my favorite tips is using eyeliner as a shadow! Stila has some amazing twist up pencils that are super creamy (smudge stick liners), you can line your eyes with them, and smudge them out with a brush, they are very blendable, they last all day and won’t move. It’s a great short cut, and you can skip the eyeshadow. It will cut at least ten minutes from your makeup routine, I promise!

By: Lauren Romero (The Dia Diaries, Fashion Contributor)

Images by: Lora Arellano’s Instagram

Chandia Brennen is a Certified Image Consultant and CEO of ItsGood2bME Fashion Consulting and Image Management based in Los Angeles CA, Chandia has been in the Fashion industry for over four years. She has worked for dozens of publications and holds the title of Senior Fashion Editor in both LA and NY. Chandia is a fashion scout for a Design Agency in NY and Brand Ambassador for HairEverywhere Luxury.