Today we’d like to introduce you to Athena Mathews.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started getting interested in makeup as a young adult participating in opera classes and theater. Growing up, I faced a lot of challenges that affected my life horribly. I made it through attempted kidnapping, assault and many other things that eventual led to my diagnosis of agoraphobia, panic attacks and high anxiety. Dealing with this from my teens to early 30’s at the end of a loveless marriage, I made a change. One night sitting alone, I thought to myself, I need to change my way of thinking I also needed to get out of my abusive marriage and start living my life to the fullest. So, I got up the courage and left. Every time I had a bad thought or doubt, I told my brain NO and changed it to a positive thought. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do with my self but I finally said, Hey makeup is my passion my favorite thing to do. I’ve helped friends over the years for Halloween. Special effects being my favorite. I decided to go back to school and I took the closest thing to makeup which is aesthetics skin care and some basic makeup glamour wedding and more.
Once I graduated, which in itself was amazing as I’d never experienced it before. I found my pride my happiness in myself I could do, I succeeded. From there, I started doing makeup for photography shoots, weddings things like that. learning the ropes. what to do and not to do. Building my kit which without that you can’t do to much. All this with the support of my family, my daughters and my wonderful boyfriend Kerry and one more, Larry my service dog. Now, at soon to be 41 years old, I am living my dream, succeeding in something I never thought I would make up and SFX for movies and film. From L.A and all of southern California and soon hopefully beyond, I couldn’t be prouder in myself and the happiest in my lifetime. I became the strong woman I wanted to be. Thank you, to all, my family, my love, my darling daughters and Larry, my pillar of awesomeness. I know have 10+ films small and large under my belt with no stopping and couldn’t be more happy!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My advice would be to believe in yourself above all other things. It can be done and it’s never too early or too late to follow your dreams.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Waxen goddess makeup – what should we know?
My favorite thing to do is special effects, so old age makeup, blood and guts, and all the fun things. Working with silicone and my other favorite is dental prosthetic. nothing is more satisfying as a scary messed up a pair of teeth. I think my personality really comes out when I’m working, I’m happy and I smile constantly. I’m known for my tasty fake blood and my thoroughness when it comes to getting the makeup done fast and well.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
The opera workshops I did with my family my mother and father were singers and we participated in all the behind the scenes things. Building scenery, costuming wig work, and my favorite makeup! My sister and I got to be in the chorus and we were one big happy family and even till this day, we are best friends with the director Bettie she became family to us. I found the support and love of the actors and it was definitely supported my dreams to this day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.waxengoddess.com
- Phone: 619-300-1219
- Email: makeupbyathenamathews@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mubyathenamathews
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muaathena/
Image Credit:
athena mathews
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