Donna is also responsible for discovering Make Up For Ever and bringing them to the United States which led to their abundant growth before being bought by Louis Vuitton/Moet Hennessy which also owns Sephora. She opened her makeup studio in 1995 followed by a makeup artist agency and a makeup brush line in in 1996, and launched her Academy 1997 which had the highest success rate percentage of working graduates than any other makeup school in the USA through 2014. In the fall of 2014, MEE INC Industry Workshops was launched to bring Donna’s intensive training into 3-10 day workshops for those not able to spend five months at a time pursuing education.

She is known for her commanding presence and her ability to articulate complex science and theory in a way that is easily understood. Donna has a gift for painting a picture with her words, analogies and stories in which she delivers with conviction and humor. Her passion for beauty is evident and contagious as she passes out major ‘light bulb moments’ that positively alter the outcome of artists and beauty therapists work and success. Her training is considered imperative for those whom are serious about mastering their craft.

Her reputation as a top beauty expert has transitioned into writing numerous magazine articles, interviews,  medical journals,  as well as consultant work for industry related companies.

Qualifications

• 35 years experience as a Makeup Artist working in television, print, bridal and runway industries.
• 25 years experience as a Educator in the field of skin care, makeup application and marketing.
• Writer of numerous published magazine articles, beauty columns and online content.
• Accomplished Makeup Artist, Skin & Beauty Expert, Author, Public Speaker and Industry Consultant.
• #1 Corrective Beauty Makeup Artist in the industry.
• Considered one of the Top Beauty Industry Educators.

Accomplishments

• Published medical journal article on “Medical Makeup for Concealing Facial Scars” in the journal titled, Scar Revision in the 21st century in 2012.
• Makeup Academy is Ranked the #1 Success rate of all makeup schools for our graduates 1999 – 2014
• Patent pending on a new mascara brush applicator that will change how professionals apply mascara 2015.
• Parent pending on a new tool designed to help women select their best makeup colors 2015.
• Named the #1 requested speaker at International Makeup Artist Trade Shows 2011 – 2012
• Completed six successful month long educational tours in Australia without sponsors 2011 -2014.
• Hosted international beauty boot camp in Bali, Indonesia 2014.
• Named the Guru Master of Pageant Makeup on live television 2000.
• Personally developed advanced scientific methods for makeup application 1997 – 2010
• Invented the spot conceal brush, now an industry staple copied by nearly every cosmetic/brush brand 1997.
• Custom developed All About Mee Makeup Brush line in 1997.
• #1 ranked Bridal makeup business in southern California 1996 – 2001
• #1 ranked in sales for Make Up For Ever Cosmetics Worldwide 1996.
• Responsible for discovering and launching Make Up For Ever Paris Cosmetics in the USA in 1995.  Now owned by LVMH, (Louis Vuitton Moet Henessy.)
• #1 ranked in sales for Christian Dior Cosmetics in California, and #2 in the United States 1989 and 1990.
• Top 5 Ranked in sales for Lancome Cosmetics in Nordstrom chain 1988.
• #1 ranked sales for Christian Dior in United States in 1985.
• #1 ranked sales for Stagelight Cosmetics in the United States in 1983.

Celebrities

Ali Landry, Aaliyah, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bobby Alt, Brendan Frazier, Cindy Crawford, Caroline D’Amore, Collective Soul, Colin Cowherd, Fabio, Jennifer Tilly, Joanna Krupa, Joanne Gair, Judith Light, Kevin Costner, Korrina Rico, Leeza Gibbons, Lisa Kudrow, Mandy Moore, Michelle Beadle, Paulette Ivory, Prince, Queen Latifah, Rachel Hunter, Raquel Welch, REM, Rikki Lake, Rod Stewart, Sharon Gless, Steven Tyler, Tony Danza, Vivian Wu

Runway / Designers

Anne Who, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Christian Audigier, Gianfranco Ferre’, Jenny Lee, Maggie Barry, Peter Lau, Richard Tyler, Skin Graft, Tommy Hilfiger, Valentino

Print Commercial & Editorial

Audrey Magazine, Beauty Biz, Coast Magazine, deVour, Destination, I Do, Digital Photo Pro, Fit Joy, GQ, GQ Spain, GQ Germany, GQ South Africa, Harpers Bazaar, In Style Weddings, Los Angeles Magazine, Marie Claire, Martha Stewart Weddings, ME, OC Health, Orange Coast Magazine, People, Professional Beauty Magazine, Skin Inc. Magazine, Vogue Italia, WWD, Xtreme Detroit Magazine, Yoke Magazine, 1st Hold, 13 Minutes Magazine.

 Clients

BMW, CBS, Choc Hospital, Christian Audigier, Coca Cola, Disneyland, Fashion Island Shopping Center, Frends Beauty Supply, Jenny Lee, Couture Bridal, Hyundai, Maggie Barry, Mai Couture, Main Place Mall, Mara & Mine, Monster Energy Drinks, Nike Woman, Orange County Burn Association, Pacific Bell, Pea in the Pod, Performance Elite,  Royal Langnickel Brushes, Wet Seal, Senna Cosmetics, Starbucks

Speaking Credits

COMPANY / TRADE SHOW

Allure’ Hair & Body Salon and Spa
Beauty Expo Sydney 2014, 2017
Beauty School Forum Trade Show Anaheim, California
BeautiControl
B.E.S.T. Barristar Educational Student Training
Cameron Jane Makeup School Australia
Career Academy of Beauty
Christian Dior Cosmetics
Circle Seal Manufacturing
Empire Academy of Makeup
Estee Lauder Corporation
Face & Body Expo Chicago & Sacramento
Fullerton College
Frends Beauty Supply
Golden West College
Harpers Bazaar Magazine
Head to Toe Women’s Expo San Diego
International Makeup Artist Trade Show London 2010
International Makeup Artist Trade Show Los Angeles 2010, 2011, 2012
International Makeup Artist Trade Show Sydney, 2010, 2011, 2012
IMATS Attendees / Private Training Courses
International Spa & Beauty Expo
James Albert School of Cosmetology
J.C. Penney
Makeup Effects Group Sydney, Australia
Make Up For Ever Cosmetics Paris
Mater Dei High School
Miss California U.S.A. Pageant
Miss California Teen U.S.A. Pageant
Miss Irvine Pageant
Miss, Ms. & Mrs. Globe Pageants
Miss South Orange County Pageant
Mrs. United States Pageant
Mrs. United Nation Pageant
Nordstrom
Paul Mitchell, The School
PHAMExpo Los Angeles 2013, 2014
Royal Langnickel Brushes
Salon Melbourne, Australia 2015
Self Magazine
Senna Cosmetics
Stagelight Cosmetics
Than Le College School of Cosmetology
The Makeup Show / Powder Group
The Skin Academy at Paul Mitchell
Toni & Guy Cosmetology School
University of California Irvine Medical Department
West Covina High School
Youth Employment Services

Experience

All About Mee Beauty Owner / Founder — 2000 ~ Present

• Custom designed and created an extensive professional makeup brush line.
• Created a professional makeup artist box to be sold to industry pros and students.

Empire Academy of Makeup Owner / Director of Education / Head Instructor — 1997 ~ Present

Teaching the Art and Science of makeup to upcoming professional makeup artists in television, film, video, print, runway, pageant, bridal and retail makeup artistry as well as industry marketing.

• Created all courses curriculum and update information on a continual basis.
• Present curriculum through lectures, demonstrations and visual aids.
• Inspire, coach & mentor students instilling confidence and professionalism to ensure success.

Empire Makeup Studio Owner / Freelance Makeup Artistry— 1996 ~ Present

Opened my own makeup studio in Costa Mesa, California.

• Cultivated clients work in television, commercial and editorial print work, bridal and pageants.
• Opened a retail division at the request of Nordstrom Merchandise Manager to staff her stores.
• Expanded my team from myself to 36 makeup artists.
• Became the #1 bridal agency in Southern Califronia.

Make Up For Ever / Paris Director of Makeup — 1995 ~ 1996

As the only employee outside of the New York office for nearly a year, I personally opened & managed forty-two doors in nine months.

• Responsible for all interviewing, hiring and training of all counter staff and freelance artists.
• Created their training manual and implemented the national training program.
• Developed all case schematics and gratis program.
• Worked with chemists to create new cosmetic products and formulas.

Nordstrom Regional Beauty Director — 1994 ~ 1995

Trainer for the Beauty Advisors from all cosmetic lines in the OC/LA region.

• Created and implementing advanced makeup/skin care training beyond vendors’ abilities.
• Met with Artistic Directors of all cosmetic lines in NY for seasonal trends and new products.
• Responsible for all models makeup during various Nordstrom fashion shows
• Traveled the USA for all Nordstrom grand openings as a featured Makeup Artist for events.

Total Image Owner/Corporate Image Consultant — 1991 ~ 1993

• Conducted corporate seminars on overall image through skin care, makeup and wardrobe.

Christian Dior Trainer — 1990 ~ 1991

• Developed curriculum for a new regional training program consisting of product knowledge on skin care, color, fragrance, makeup application, event planning and sales techniques.