Many of you reading this will be very familiar with the name Elise Firestone as she is fast becoming known as one of our sports leading entrepreneurs.
From her days as a competitive dancer and her work as a personal trainer and aerobics instructor through to her career in both figure and bikini, Elise has always brought a strong and burning ambition to her pursuits.
Possessing a gift for turning her passions into professions, Elise is now carving out quite a name for herself as a make-up artist and stylist on the competition circuit and now has her very own cosmetic line….
So what inspired you to start your own cosmetics range?
“I’ve always loved makeup! It’s the one thing, that always ‘fits’ whether you are on-season or off-season and no matter how much or little you weigh.
“I created my line of makeup to help girls who, due to distance, are unable to travel to me. Many times, there are multiple shows going on and of course I can’t be at all of them! There is no other make up line like this and it really does allow me to help girls who can’t come to me personally by giving them the tools to create the desired look with step by step instructions.
“What women have to understand is that stage makeup is very different from everyday makeup and it’s critical to have the correct colors especially the right foundation. Over the years I have found many women who on a daily basis wear little or no makeup, so having this particular line was a way for the girls to have the correct colors for stage.”
Can you tell us about the products available?
“I have a full 10 piece kit available that has everything you need to create “the look” for the big day. The kit includes full size products and comes with step by step instructions on how to achieve that stage ready look from start to finish.
“The lip, eye and cheek colors are perfect for the HD lighting onstage, and the foundation is a perfect match to your onstage competition color.
“My top sellers are the Whimsy lip gloss and the HD foundation that men can also use on their faces. I also have a very special lip-gloss called Pucker Up For a Cause, where 20% of the proceeds are donated to charity to help find a cure for Pulmonary Hypertension, a lung disease I was diagnosed with at the age of 19.”
Getting back to competition…what services do you offer competitors when it comes to getting them stage ready re hair and make-up and what are the likely costs?
“I offer a wide variety of services from private airbrush tanning for both men and women, to makeup, and hair services, as well as customized cosmetic packages which include cosmetics and everything you need to be the makeup artist yourself. My prices are very flexible and I work around pretty much any budget. I know how hard these competitors work with dieting and exercising, and the finishing touches, of makeup, tanning and hair really can make a difference to how they feel when they are on stage and ultimately how they place.”
What advantages are there in hiring a professional such as you rather than going it alone…?
“I would compare it to having someone guide you with a nutrition and exercise regime to prepare you for a show…a makeup artist does the same thing. Over the years, I’ve found that most girls either don’t wear any makeup whatsoever or, if they do, they don’t know the difference between regular everyday makeup and stage makeup. The types of makeup and color choices really make a difference. Makeup has a way of highlighting someone’s best features. Your style of hair has the same effect. The color, the cut, and the way you style your hair should be esthetically pleasing to the eye. And yes, although we are judged on symmetry, when you have two girls neck and neck for a placing, the way you present yourself with posing, suit choices and hair and makeup can be the deciding factor.”
What is the biggest mistake women make in your opinion when it comes to stage make up?
“The biggest mistake I frequently see is that girls tend to match their eye-shadow to the color of their suits. Also, just because it’s stage makeup doesn’t mean it has to be bright and caked on like a clown. There are many ways to apply shades of colors that add just enough color for stage makeup. I also see that a lot of girls have problems matching foundations, or trying to get away with using mineral makeup, which is not for stage, more for everyday use.”
So finally how can people buy your cosmetics?
“They can purchase my products right on my website at www.elisefirestone.com the kits sell out fast!”
N.B. Elise also runs Cosmetic Artistry by Elise Glam Camps where she gives advice on all the ins and outs of competing from hair and make up to shoes and suits and presentation. She also does custom air brush tanning and is available as a makeup artist for photo shoots and special events.
Lee Penman
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Thank you so much for featuring me ! It truly is an honor! xo
elise
I think Elise is a terrific rolemodel for young women (and men). Although I have had great success in my chosen profession, I still wonder how different my life could have been if, like Elise, I had the guts when I was young to just “go for it.” Lets hope young people hear about Elise’s success and get some motivation to just do what they love. Cheer’s to Elise and other Kickass Young Women in the making!!
Wishing Elise continued success, Beth.
Honor have you on the site Elise! You are STUNNING!!!