Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Bimonte.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Danielle. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story has a humble beginning in Clifton, New Jersey, in dance recitals since the age of two. I danced and was in musicals through high school and college, where I majored in Musical Theater at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Makeup has always been a part of my world ranging from natural glam to murder victim in an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, to a full-on (actual) cat in a local production of Cats the Musical. I didn’t wear much makeup as a teen or even in college but really began to embrace it as an art form once I moved to New York.
I moved to New York City in 2002 and continued to work in theater, film, television and music in front of the camera and on stage for the better half of a decade. During that time, I began to realize how much of an interest I had in what was happening behind the camera and in the dressing rooms. I met a range of professional makeup artists and was always so enamored by their talents, tips and tricks and loved every chance I had to sit in their chairs. There’s a very special feeling attached to being able to sit in a proper director’s chair, and I wanted to be able to share that with others.
The very first “client” I had was my mother, who also happens to be my biggest critic and supporter, and she loved the work I did! I gained a bit of confidence, started purchasing more kit-friendly items and began to work friend and family events, and some photoshoots in NYC to build a portfolio. I began working with Sephora as a color consultant, and took Mario Dedivanovic’s workshop in SoHo (before he was appearing in arenas!), and began to examine the looks I’d see in print ads. I really began to dive-in to the history of the art, learning from pros like Allan “Whitey” Snyder and what techniques he used on starlets like Marilyn Monroe and Katherine Hepburn.
I decided to up the ante when I moved to South Florida, so I became a licensed esthetician because I love the marriage of skincare and makeup. I learned from a Clinique employee as a teenager that without a smooth canvas no makeup can be expected to work its magic over something 3D. I am now currently obsessed with clear, healthy skin with the use of products and non-invasive LED light treatments, and how to replicate that with the use of makeup versus covering it up, and changing someone’s look entirely.
The strongest pull towards pursuing this business though was the look on my clients’ faces when they stepped out of my chair – that was everything to me, still is. I knew then that makeup is more than just products… it’s potentially an intimate, vulnerable moment between artist and client; it’s a bit of a confidence boost and certainly for most, a newfound feeling of readiness to go forth and be fierce.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has certainly been bumpy! Relocating to an entirely new state was and is a challenge, but I have really been fortunate to meet so many great people in the process! I have continued to fly to clients across the country as the need arises, but am really enjoying setting my roots here from Miami to Palm Beach.
Currently, we’re experiencing the biggest bump yet, navigating our way through this global COVID-19 pandemic. I feel as though makeup artists are taking a bit of a bigger strike than the majority of the beauty world since we can’t ask our clients to wear proper face coverings, (unless they’re just looking for an eye look, haha). I know an artist in Los Angeles who has been experimenting with face shields on her daughter before returning to work, but that begs the question: if the client gets a bit too hot, and if the tools don’t quite fit, what kind of product are we producing as an artist? It’s a challenge and we will come out of it, but I’m not comfortable reopening services until I know I can, A) properly protect both artist and client equally, and B) confidently sign my name to the final work.
Please tell us about DB Makeup, LLC.
My business motto has always been, “Beauty is… you.” I strive to bring out my clients’ natural beauty. I have the utmost respect for social media gurus, but I fear that the majority instruct and inspire others to completely change their face – and I love the opposite of that! Anything you bring to my chair is perfect. My goal is not so much to perfect their makeup, (I mean, it is, but), it’s to make sure that person feels confident to head to their event when they step out of my chair. I have had trans women as clients who have never sat in a makeup artist’s chair for fear of critique; I’ve had dark-skinned clients who were afraid they were ‘too dark’; and mature ladies who feel they couldn’t possibly ‘pull off’ makeup. Knowing my clients feel respected and satisfied is EVERYTHING to me. My chair is a safe space. Both women and men (yes men!) of any age, skin color and social status have sat for me, and I love every second of the diversity.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Swimming in my parents’ pool during the Jersey summers! I usually had to be called-in for dinner or to start getting ready for bed, and I’d come in completely wrinkled from being in the water for hours on end. I’m a Scorpio, and I have some serious water sign realness.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dbmakeup.com
- Phone: 201-247-4417
- Email: db@dmakeup.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/therealdbmakeup
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealdbmakeup
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealdbmakeup
Image Credit:
Tolga Kavut Photography, Mario Dedivanovic
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