Makeup artistry class to be offered at LCC

Caption: Pictured, from left to right, during a recent makeup demonstration are Martha Cortez, makeup artist and instructor, and Adriana O. Santos, model.

Since 1980, Martha Cortez has used her artistic talents to enhance the looks of actors, musicians, brides, and models in and around Laredo through cosmetics.

Now, she'll bring that 30-year knowledge to the classroom as Cortez teaches Laredo Community College's first-ever Makeup Artistry course on Aug. 6-27 from 2 to 5 p.m. Students will learn how best to apply eye shadow, lip liner, foundation, and other cosmetic products.

The course will be offered through the college's Continuing Education Department. Tuition is $55. No books or new materials are required for the class.

"Students' only requirement is to bring the makeup they currently use," Cortez said. "Usually, drawers and shoe boxes are stuffed with cosmetic products."

As the youngest of 18 children, including 10 sisters, Cortez was constantly surrounded by makeup. The sounds of blow driers, brushes tapping on blush powder cases, and hair spray hissing engulfed her home almost every day in her early years. This is how Cortez first started liking makeup.

Today, Cortez makes a living as a professional freelance makeup artist. Cortez has worked and received training from various cosmetic companies, including Estee Lauder, Clinique, Clarins, Chanel, Christian Dior, Lancome, Versace, among others.

Cortez's clientele includes Mexican telenovela actors, local artists and musicians, and she also has clients that visit her from San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, and several Mexican cities.

"It's a career that has opened a lot of doors in my life," Cortez said. "I'm happy when my clients are happy, because a makeup artist is not only an artist, but a therapist as well. I can make them feel and look better."

"Most people look at themselves in the mirror, but they see nothing pretty," Cortez said. "But, we all have hidden beauty. Makeup makes your beauty stand out."

Cortez believes that makeup and appearance should appeal to the individual and to those around them.

"You don't want people saying, 'Have you seen her lately? She already let herself go,' " Cortez added.

"I believe appearance is very important, and even if you don't want to dress up so people look at you, at least do it for yourself because it really does give you a confidence boost," Cortez said.

"A woman without paint is like food without salt," Titus Plautus, a Roman playwright, once wrote.

But, in recent years, men also have been wearing makeup.

"You'd be surprised how many men wear makeup as well," Cortez added.

"Many men have a lot of art skills. Some of them have more art skills than women do," Cortez joked. "So, makeup is for both men and women."

Men are welcome to join the class to learn how to do makeup on others or to learn how to protect their own skin from the sun's damaging UVA and UVB rays.

"Lip balm, foundation or a bronzer can help enhance their skin tones, and at the same time, protect their skin," Cortez said.

As part of the four-day course, guest speakers from Mall Del Norte's makeup kiosks will be on hand to provide additional tips to students.

Cortez said that makeup doesn't have to be expensive.

"There's actually been good makeup I've found in downtown Laredo," Cortez said. "I've used Target, H-E-B, or Walmart brand makeup, and they work just as well as the expensive ones from the high-end retailers."

"My 91-year-old mom still manages to put on her own makeup because, like she once told me, 'Es que no quiero espantar a nadie,' or, she wants to look presentable and not scare anyone away," Cortez said.

For more information on the LCC's Continuing Education Department's Makeup Artistry course, contact Sandra Cortez at 721-5374 or email sandra.cortez@laredo.edu.

Registration for the fall semester is currently under way. For other class information, contact the Registration Center at the LCC Fort McIntosh Campus at 721-5109 or the South Campus at 794-4110.