Makeup artist Ivy C. Rashkover, a resident of Fresh Meadows, has fulfilled her professional dream but still has other goals she wants to reach.
Saying she always wanted to be in the beauty field, Rashkover first went to hairdressing school but realized that her passion was actually makeup and skin care and went to beauty school. As a child, she said she always loved to do her friends’ makeup and did all of their weddings.
“My dream from the beginning was always to get into television,” said Rashkover, who has been trained in film and television.
Rashkover’s first taste of television came when she started doing work for Channel 11’s local news. After that, she started working at other stations as well.
Now, Rashkover said that she works “in everything.” She has freelanced for “The Today Show,” worked on talk shows and with Judge Judy, and done work for “Saturday Night Live” a couple of times.
She has done makeup for many famous people, and one of the highlights of her career has been working with actress Melissa Leo for the 2007 film “Midnight Son.” Leo is now up for an Oscar for her supporting role in “The Fighter.”
“She was just a doll and I’m so excited for her,” Rashkover said.
In addition to her work in film and television, Rashkover works in stores and salons in New York, include Pierre Michel. She is an airbrushing specialist and does applications and makeup lessons.
Rashkover said that when she is teaching others, she loves for them to learn how to do makeup on a professional basis. She also stresses to them that less is more and “less of everything is better.” In addition, Rashkover said she helps people find their best features and how to emphasize them.
In January of 2005, Rashkover was included in a list of “best face painters” in Allure Magazine, which she counts as another high point in her career.
When doing make up for someone, Rashkover said she tries to have their makeup “look the way they live their lives.” She said she asks clients a lot of questions about their lifestyle, too.
“I want them mentally to feel fabulous and I want them to look terrific,” she said.
Rashkover also puts her skills to use through volunteer work. She has worked with fire victims and this year started volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House doing face painting.
“It’s very gratifying for me to help the kids,” she said. “It’s an incredible feeling going to Ronald McDonald and helping the kids and making them feel good about themselves.”
Rashkover also said that her favorite part of her job is meeting different people and making them feel good.
“I love my job,” she said.
Although Rashkover has already achieved many of her dreams, she said there are still others she wants to pursue.
“I think my dream would be to find another talk show or feature film to work on,” Rashkover said.
To contact Rashkover about an application or lesson, email makeuplady1604@yahoo.com or call 212755-9500.
