Meet Latisha Rankin, ARDELL’S Beauty of the Week. She is lively, patient, and ambitious and is sharing her beauty secrets with us!
AR:
How did you get started working in beauty?
LR:
I’ve always been into beauty when I was younger, I would dress up for my family, like put on a full runway show lol then later in my HS years I went to school for nails. Makeup came into my life around my twenties very randomly. One trip to the Mac Counter in Valley Stream, LI I fell in LOVE with the experience and art. I knew in that moment I found my gift.
AR:
Who had the biggest beauty influence on you growing up?
LR:
I can honestly say almost every woman in my family but most definitely my mother. I learned how to put myself together in terms of fashion, hair and makeup by watching her. She also put me in “Beauty Pageants” very early on my life. My mom wore a short pixie haircut with red lipstick and mascara daily, she truly embraced beauty and allowed me to experience beauty freely.
AR:
Tell us about yourself.
LR:
I’m a professional makeup artist that specializes in film/TV, press, celebrity clientele and overall enhance beauty. Based in NYC, doing makeup for almost 18 years. Empowering people with my art is the fuel that keeps my gift of makeup prosperous. My passion simply is wanting to make people feel seen and have the confidence to express that in elements of makeup.
AR:
What is something that you no longer believe about beauty that you once did?
LR:
Good question! Previously society taught us “Age” & complexion defined beauty or anything that didn’t fit in the standard box. We lived by those standards for many years! I would hear my ageless and woman of color desire looks but felt they couldn’t pull it off due to their age and complexion. That’s really when I started implementing looks customizable to them. These looks allowed me to help contribute to breaking some of those stereotypes we no longer believe in.
AR:
Is there a moment in your career that you are most proud of?
LR:
I would have to say this very moment right now lol I’m in a place in my life where I’m razor focused on the next elevation in my career. I’ve worked on some really amazing projects within the pass year that will put me in better positions in my future. Not only did I put in my time and actively still putting in the work, I’m building on the foundation of my legacy while embracing the process of the next level.
AR:
Do you have any favorite beauty practices that you swear by?
LR:
This has no real truth lol it’s solely based on opinion, but I always put eyeliner on first after skincare because I believe it creates my look based on the simple step Lol
“My passion simply is wanting to make people feel seen and have the confidence to express that in elements of makeup.” – Latisha Rankin
AR:
If your life were a song, what would the title be?
LR:
“Every part of me is beautiful and I finally see I'm a work of art….I'm a masterpiece” - Jazmine Sullivan (Masterpiece/Mona Lisa).
AR:
What is the best beauty tip you’ve ever discovered?
LR:
If you run out of highlighter and you have a shimmer champagne or bronze eyeshadow depending on complexion, you can shave some of the shadow into your foundation. This creates a natural luminance finish in the areas you choose to highlight, just make sure you mix well before you apply.
AR:
You’re stuck on an island and you can pick one type of food to eat forever, what would you choose?
LR:
Watermelon for sure the runner up is mango!
AR:
Coffee, Tea, or Energy Drink?
LR:
Tea!
AR:
Do you listen to music when you get ready? If so, who is on your playlist?
LR:
Absolutely! A lot of R&B and Soul – I love music that make you feel something. Summer Walker, Jazmine Sullivan, H.E.R, Ari Lenox, Snoh Aalegra, Blxst, Lizzo, Wizkid, Tems, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandoss, Beyoncé, Silk Sonic, I mean the list can go on lol
AR:
In addition to making people feel beautiful, how do you like to spend your free time?
LR:
I LOVE boxing/kickboxing. It’s therapeutic fitness in general! It’s hard most times when you’re working on set but when I have time definitely fitness. Traveling is a really big deal for me too. The need be at one with water to release and restore is priority. I’m a cancer so water is my natural habitat, also museums and reading.
AR:
In an alternative universe, what would you do for a living?
LR:
Honestly, I LOVE crime documentaries so probably something in that field maybe ballistics. Understanding the who, what, when and why is so interesting to me.
AR:
Describe what the perfect "day off" looks like to you.
LR:
Omg! Spa, wine and binging shows. Complete relaxation is doing absolutely NOTHING lol
AR:
Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on a beauty career path?
LR:
Always remember your dream is for you and only you even when people don’t believe. It’s your job to prove to yourself that YOU and only you can do it. Work hard, be consistent, build with people, find someone you could assist and learn everything (be a sponge), create a plan of action, write it down and check things of the list along the way. NEVER give up!! There will be low moments but grind and strategize in them. Capitalize on your highs, eventually it’ll pay off.
AR:
What’s next for you?
LR:
What’s next for me! Well aside from me launching something special in Spring/Summer of this year that’s exciting! I’m really focusing on creating a legacy in the film world. Taking my craft to the big screen so I could help artist like myself follow behind me. There’s a dire need of artists that can work with ALL people of life but especially people of color. Not only do I want to create art that is beautiful but also meaningful and I plan on using my platform to do it. So, panels, products and educating.
RAPID-FIRE: ARDELL BEAUTY QUESTIONS
AR:
What are your favorite ARDELL lash styles? Why?
LR:
My favorite Ardell Lashes hands down are all of the Naked Lashes! However, 421 is my favorite for a more natural appearance and 429 for a little more volume. I love them because the strip is light weight, flexible and very similar to your natural lashes.
AR:
What keeps you coming back to ARDELL lashes?
LR:
Aside from the lashes, it’s also the mother brand of lashes and assessable to everyone. It appeals to all walks of life without breaking bank. I’ve also really respected how Ardell has managed to move with trends or help create trends by listening to the consumer needs.
AR:
What is the trick for the perfect ARDELL lash application?
LR:
I think this trick works really well with curler lashes if you’re struggling to apply the lash strip because the natural lashes are curly. Apply a thin line of glue close to the natural lash bed and then apply the lash strip, add mascara after your lashes are in place then press together.
