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I stumbled across the fabulosity that is Drini on Instagram, a plus size Makeup Artist who has been slaying celebrity faces in Los Angles. Not only does she kill in the makeup game, her fashion game is JUST.AS.DOPE.

I needed to know more. I had to ask questions. I wanted her to be my bestie. Her energy on the social media channels makes me feel as if we are girlfriends and I love this. So, naturally I had to get โUp Close and Personalโ with Drini, the makeup artist.
So, please read on, as we talk fashion, confidence, and of course, beauty with LAโs Curvy Fashionista Makeup Artist, Driniโฆ
her replies are bolded.
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So before we go into your profession, we must talk fashion. Who is your go-to designer and/or retailer?
Well I design a lot of my own clothing simply because I generally can never find a retailer that suits my taste, although a close runner-up would be Asos.com
I have also noticed you have shared that you have designed a few of your own pieces, do you sew them too? Orโฆ tell me all about this creative processโฆ
ย I have sewn my own clothing in the past. Right now, I use a seamstress. The process is drawing the garment, picking the fabric and submitting to her for mock-upโฆsheโs an elderly lady, and only sews for a select few people, Iโve worked with her since I was in fashion school.
I see you working it on social media, being a plus size diva, what do you do to bring out your confidence?
ย I pray a lot, I laugh a lot, I donโtย compareย myself to others and I keep myself surrounded by great people . I donโt get caught up in social media, browsing different pages and what not. I find that we subconsciously compare ourselves to people we see online, when the reality is, a lot of the images are photoshopped, a lot of the this and the that are fake, and so I just post my lil pics and keep it pushin.
Who inspired you to go into make-up? When did you first start and how did you get started doing make-up?
ย I honestly canโt remember who inspired me to get into makeup. I just rememberย experimentingย a lot as a pre-teen and teen in my moms makeup and having her buy me makeup @ beauty supplies and playing in it.ย
The first face I ever did was my friendโs makeup for junior prom, we were like 15. And then I would do makeup casually for people here and there, never really considering something Iโd ever do professionally. Then upon graduating from fashion school, I decided I just love the art of makeup and made it a career.
You offer make-up classes and one-hour tutorials! This is so great!!! How often do you offer classes and where can people get more info about joining one?
ย I hosted my first ever makeup class on May 4th. I believe I will do them 3 times a year. The next one is still TBA, but if people are following my Instagram (@missdrini )ย or Facebook page (Facebook.com/makeupbydrini )ย , they def wonโt miss it.ย
Some people who do hair or make-up for a living donโt like to do their own make-up or hair on a daily basis. Itโs like burn out from doing everyone elses. Do you wear make-up daily? What is your daily beauty/make-up routine?
That is too funny. When people realize I donโt wear makeup daily, or much at all, itโs such a shock to them. I put makeup on for my followers on IG & FB just for fun and to experiment, but my daily routine consists of cleansing, moisturizing, gloss and maybe mascara and bronzer.ย
Girl, these eyebrows are everything! What are your tips to getting the perfect brow?
The perfect brow really starts with yourย estheticianย I get mine threaded by Angel Cisneros at Sublime eyes on Sunset, heโs AMAZING!! Next you need to find the right brow pencilโฆ..Iโm really endorsing Sephora brandย retractableย brow pencils right now, theyโreย waterproofย and have great color. And finally, applying light strokes to your brows, not one steady line. I have an eyebrow tutorial here: YouTube.com/makeupbydrini
What items should every woman have in their on-the-go make-up bag to look pulled together in a snap?
A pressed powder, concealer, blush, mascara, and a pink, red and nude lip color. Iโm tell ladies all the time, mascara, bronzer and lipstick can awaken any face in a heartbeat.ย
What celebrityโs make-up do you dream of doing? Like your โI have made it moment?โ
Beyonce & Michelle Obama
Of course I have to ask, do you have any plans to start your own make-up line ORRRR Clothing line?
ย I have plans to start both. Iโm in the very very beginning stages of my cosmetic line, but I want it to be perfect, so I have a lot of work to do before it launches. The clothing lineย howeverย may come sooner. Iโve been sketching andย conceptualizingย to launch online, HOPEFULLY, Summer of 2014.
Being in Los Angeles brings more opportunities to do make-up, but probably brings more stiff competition. How do you navigate the crowded LA scene and make sure you stand out?
Iโve been lazy recently in my networking, but I like to align myself with hairstylists and stylists in Los Angeles. We all have clients that need what the other is offering, so itโs like we swap clients all the time and for most stylists, hairstylists and photographers, once theyโve worked with you, youโre now brandย recognizableย to them, and theyโre more likely to refer you to someoneย needingย your services.ย
What advice would you give someone trying to launch his or her make-up artist career?
I tell all aspiring makeup artists, be on time, professional, clean, neat and personable. Do your homework on makeup trends and skin-care. Find a mentor, someone willing to answer questions and critique your work. Swallow your pride and keep an open mind. My mentor once told me, the day you stop learning, is the day you stop living.ย
Your fun personality shines through in your posts, especially when answering questions on Tumblr. Whatโs the craziest question youโve gotten?
Uh, you do NOT want to know, haha, I had to delete itโฆ..but for the most part people really have great questionsโฆ..I mean, some are longer than others, so it takes me longer to respond, but other than that, I love helping in any way I can!ย
Being an entrepreneur, life has to be all over the place. What does a day in the life of Drini look like?
On my off days, Iโm either shopping for new makeup finds or sleepingโฆ..you donโt sleep much in this industryโฆ..someone could call you on set in a matter of minutes, and if youโreย seriousย about your career, you make it happen.ย
Do you have any special projects or things we can look out for??
YEP, Iโm partnering up with one of my celeb clients on a cosmetic product line, so probably lipsticks firstโฆโฆI canโtย divulgeย too much about it, but check for it end of summer!
Tell everyone where we can find you!!!
You can find me online atย www.eyedreamofdrini.com, Instagram @missdrini, Facebook: Facebook.com/makeupbydrini, YouTube.com/makeupbydrini, Tumblrย http://www.tumblr.com/blog/msdrini
Lastly, as this is my blogโs motto, but means so many different things to different women. What does Curvy.Confident.Chic. mean to youโฆ
It means be fly and love you b/c youโre the only you that you have!
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UM. How amazing is she? I seriously wanna be besties with Drini! NOW do you see why I fangirled over her for a few minutes? She is THAT girl!
You two are so fab!
BUT, so are youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Yeah sheโs amazing!โฆreally enjoyed reading your interview with her!
Thank you darling, and YESSSSSSSSSS she is!
Fabulous. Loving this interview!
Thanks for sharing dear, xx http://chictrends.co.uk/
Although I donโt know Drini as well as some others may, I have known of her for several years (I used to teach school at the church she attends). She brightens up any room she walks into, captivates her audience and is the definition of confident. I had the pleasure of attending her very first makeup class on May 4, 2013 and she rocked it! God is using her in so many awesome ways and Iโm glad to be able to keep up with her journey!
Iโve been following Drini since the myspace days! Sheโs not only dope with the powder and paint, she can design super cute skirts! ๐
Yay! Loved the interview! I โdiscoveredโ Drini via myspace and Iโve been a fan of hers ever since. Canโt wait to see what she does next. Blessings!
Iโve recently started following her on instagram. She is so beautiful and make is always on point. I soooooo want that neon dress she is wearing.
Love, love, love Drini. Sheโs incredible!!! Her work and her personality. I was first MEZMORIZED by her beauty on IG. She the best at responding to ANY question. Canโt wit for her clothing line! Wishing I was her bestie too!!