Signal Mountain resident Criss Skinner, a recent transplant from L.A. and a professional makeup artist, will be sharing her skills through two classes offered at the MACC this summer.
"I love what I do and it's fun to share it with people," said Skinner, who has practiced her art on famous faces including Ben Stiller, Chelsea Handler, Charlton Heston, Julianne Hough, Ted Danson, Kathy Griffin and Bravo's Andy Cohen.
Makeup artist Criss Skinner, a recent transplant to Signal Mountain from L.A., will share her skills at the MACC with two new camps this summer. She offers "Little Shop of Horrors," a class focusing on gore and horror makeup for middle- and high-school students, and "Extreme Makeover," which will provide instruction for women of all ages in the proper application of natural-looking makeup.Skinner, who was also the makeup artist for TV shows such as "Deal or no Deal" and "Last Comic Standing," trained in Hollywood to apply makeup in a variety of styles. Her focus directly after school was on horror makeup, such as creating realistic-looking decapitations for "movies of the week."
Middle- and high-school students can learn the fine art of horror makeup with her "Little Shop of Horrors" class, offered Monday, July 11-Friday, July 15 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The class centers on the creation of vampires fit for the sets of "Twilight" or "True Blood" and "Dawn of the Dead"-style zombies. Participants will also learn to produce strikingly authentic cuts and bruises.
The cost for the class is $65 ($50 for town of Signal Mountain residents), and the additional $36 supply fee covers theatrical makeup and brushes participants can take home at the end of the course.
"I'm trying to make it easy for people to feel like they can apply what they've learned without having to go out and get things, within reason," she said.
Women of all ages can benefit from Skinner's instruction in the application of everyday makeup and proper skin care, which she said is the most important factor in achieving great-looking skin.
"You don't have to wear as much makeup if your skin looks good," she said.
Offered Monday, July 25-Friday, July 29, the class times are separated by age, with women over 40 scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 20- to 40-year-olds from 6 to 8 p.m. and rising high school freshmen through seniors from 2 to 4 p.m.
"Everyone will benefit, whether you're a high school student who's just curious about it or someone who wants to become a makeup artist and make a career out of it," said Skinner. "Working with neighbors and people not in the business is very rewarding - making them feel happy and good about themselves."
She will show participants how to accomplish a natural look with minimal effort, as well as how to create the perfect smoky eye for a night on the town.
"I'll show them how to create a really finished look that looks natural, not heavy or like a clown," said Skinner, who will recommend certain products but does not sell makeup.
Each age group will concentrate on different topics relevant to their lifestyle and skin type, such as when to switch products as the skin ages or what type and shade of foundation to use.
Skinner will demonstrate on one side of the face and have participants do the other, ensuring each of her students will be able to create an identical look at home.
"People always wonder if a color is right for them, and some people just don't know how to apply [makeup] or use tools properly," she said. "We'll learn quick and easy things to make the skin look great. It's all about blending and layering and using a light hand."
Participants will work with the makeup they have in addition to products provided by Skinner, with ample opportunity to test out new tools, techniques and shades.
Students will also receive a $20 discount from Cosmetic Market at Warehouse Row, which Skinner said carries many of the products she likes.
The fee for the class is $115 ($100 for town of Signal Mountain residents) plus a $20 supply fee.
For those who are unavailable during these times, Skinner will also offer private classes in an individual's home for up to three participants for a fee of $150, plus $50 for each additional participant.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com