Today, we’d like to introduce you to Ricky Ricardo.
Hi Ricky, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Hi everyone!
My name is Ricky Ricardo, and I began my journey in the beauty industry in 2017. However, my passion for glamour started at a very young age. Growing up as an only child in Savannah, Georgia, allowed my creativity to truly soar. From creating TV shows out of cardboard boxes to performing sold-out shows for my international tour in front of my stuffed animals, my imagination was light years ahead of what I saw in the world then. When I was eight years old, I moved to Atlanta with my mother, and it was there that my passion for beauty and fashion was truly developed.
I began drawing and painting glamorous figures and faces around this time. This later led me to practice on my face. I’ve always loved the power of makeup. Seeing transformations from simple pigments constantly amazed me. My inspirations for makeup and glamour range from Lady Gaga, Grace Jones, Sylvester, Beyoncé, RuPaul, and more. When I graduated high school in 2017, I wanted to take my artistry more seriously. I entered college the following fall with the intention of mastering my craft. I wanted to put in my 10,000 hours of fearless, fun, and outrageous makeup on myself and others. So, for two full years, that’s exactly what I did.
In the fall of 2019, I was offered the opportunity to work for the fabulous M.A.C Cosmetics. From the job, I learned how to interact with guests in a meaningful way and how to be a professional makeup artist. From M.A.C., I went to Ulta Beauty, and that job taught me the power of sales and commercial marketing. At that time, I began to take my presence on social media and my brand much more seriously.
I started showcasing my skills and personality on TikTok and Instagram, and I slowly gained a powerful community of individuals who loved what I presented. Those opportunities provided me the space to work with major brands such as Yitty, Thread Beauty, Good Molecules, Too Faced, etc. I am soon beginning a new chapter of my career with one of the most influential brands in the beauty industry, Fenty Beauty! I am thrilled to enter this new page in the book of my life.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Of course not! Being a black, extravagant, gender-fluid person in any industry is no easy feat. Even in the beauty industry, I have faced countless areas of discrimination for my race, age, and gender expression. I am grateful that I was raised with confidence and grace because I continue to preserve.
Additionally, I have dealt with my mental health obstacles. I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder in college, and that has definitely created obstacles in my life. However, it is an extension of me, not entirely me. I am an advocate for mental health today because I know how important it is to navigate this wild world with such challenges.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an extremely versatile makeup artist and entertainer. I specialize in a range of makeup styles, from high editorial glam to subtle everyday makeup.
I am known for my bright, bold eyeshadow styles and my ability to contrast big, bold styles and clean, polished blending. I am most proud of seeing my growth from when I first started until now. What sets me apart from everyone else is my artist-referencing and imaginative mindset.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?
I consider Kevyn Aucoin’s Making Faces book to be a kind of beauty bible, so that is where I source many of my skills. Also, Instagram is still kinda the mecca of beauty in my eyes.
How else can you learn to recreate Pat McGrath’s porcelain glass look from the Margiela Artisanal 2024 Collection by John Galliano? I also ADORE and ADMIRE Pat McGrath! A lot of my work is derived from the 80’s punk era, drag, and 70’s disco glamour.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/theonlyrickyricardo
- Twitter: twitter.com/rickyricardonow
- Youtube: youtube.com/@TheOnlyRickyRicardo
- Other: tiktok.com/@theonlyrickyricardo
Image Credits
Carrick Henry
