Meet Rachel Kepley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Kepley.

Rachel, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was a part of theater from a very young age though only in the capacity of on-stage talent, it was only after transitioning to the backstage work did I really find a passion. Through that access point, makeup has always been a part of my life. At first, it was just cuts and contusions for middle and high school plays, then two weeks after graduation, I relocated to Fort Lauderdale, FL for a course of seven months that covered Fashion, Production, and Special Makeup Effects. This material included everything from runway, clean beauty, mold making and casting for prosthetics, character, and injury. My favorite things to do are clean beauty and injury makeups. I’ve been lucky enough to work on a few short films and other productions since relocating back to Atlanta in 2015. Commercials, photo shoots, film, and live theater– and anywhere else someone may have a need for makeup is where you can find me. I love what I do and I’m happy to be a part of any project, especially the weird ones. Creative assistance and direction is something I have an eye for as well.

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?
It’s still not a smooth road. There will always be obstacles and I try to deal with them as they come. A lot of times, makeup work is subject to change, so you have to be ready for a curveball and have the ability to think on your feet. One of the best skills for this industry I think is ingenuity.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I specialize in special makeup effects. I love realistic effects and is long term what I would like to master- things that don’t look like makeup. That spans from realism in character makeups and injuries, but also into the beauty side of the industry. Creating beautiful, enhanced skin and natural features is something I love as well.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have a memory from when I was about four years old. I have a play vanity station in my parent’s bathroom. My mom would leave a powder brush or something for me to play with there. One day, I got into her makeup and found a deep wine lipstick. I was trying to make myself look tired and give myself dark circles under my eyes, and did so by putting this lipstick under my eyes and smudging it. I looked more sickly than anything I’m sure, but it’s my first real memory of makeup.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rachelkepley.com
• Phone: 7725323189
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/the2amartist

Image Credit:
Miguel Tapia- head shot, Rachel Kepley

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