Whenever Black women team up and synergize their respective talents, something special always happens.
“Last Looks Chicago” is the brai child of Chicago natives Deida Massey and Jessica Williams. Having both found success as professional makeup artists working with some of the biggest names in TV, film and stage, the two in-demand professionals have created a workforce development training program, incubator, and industry depot designed for makeup artists, hairstylists and barbers who are looking to break into the business and establish a successful career of their own.
Massey is a celebrity makeup artist, author, and philanthropist that counts Michael Jordan, Common and Kelly Rowland among others as some of her many clients. She was also one of nine artists selected to work as a celebrity makeup artist on Oprah Winfrey’s Legends Ball Weekend in 2005. Her organization, “Reel Beauty Inc” a 501 (c)(3) teaches young women the importance of decision-making, conflict resolution as it relates to their self-esteem and self-worth.
For almost 30 years, Jessica Williams has been a fixture as a makeup artist in the beauty and entertainment industries. She is the Makeup Department head for the hit Disney channel series “Saturdays” as well as serving as the Assistant Makeup Supervisor for the Broadway musical “Wicked.” Her résumé also includes working on hit TV shows such as “Chicago P.D.,” “Chicago Fire,” “Empire” and “61st Street” starring Courtney B. Vance and Aunjanue Ellis. Her e-book, It’s Makeup, Not Rocket Science is a step by step how-to on makeup application and skin care. Williams also speaks to incarcerated young women and spearheads hygiene collection drives for women’s shelters across the city.
Imagined to be a career and economic development initiative that creates a pipeline between industry professionals and the next generation, Last Looks Chicago trains its participants on various aspects of the industry including set etiquette, barbering for for film and TV, makeup, Special FX makeup, hairstyling and more to increase their chance of working on productions. The mission is always to cultivate a pathway for the next generation of professionals in these fields.
Last Looks Chicago’s latest project is a weeklong, hour per day virtual workshop called “Discovering The Magic” where attendees will get guidance from and hear the first hand testimonials of a number of industry professionals including LaRoyce Hawkins (“Chicago P.D.,” “South Side”), Josie Harris (“In Living Color, The Players Club), Morrocco Omari (“Empire,” “P-Valley”) and others.
Last Looks’ “Discovering The Magic” virtual workshop runs through Oct. 13 For more information, please visit www.lastlookschicago.com
