Today we’d like to introduce you to STEPHANIE MAZZEO.
Hi STEPHANIE, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’d love to share a bit of my journey. It’s been a wild, glittery ride!
It all started back in 1992, near Philadelphia in my hometown of Allentown, Pennsylvania. As a creative drawn to the world of performance, my boyfriend’s local KISS tribute band, (Miss-Behavin’) asked me to handle their stage makeup and wardrobe. Picture this: me, armed with drugstore cosmetics, transforming these guys into full-on glam rockstars. It was messy, exhilarating, and honestly, the spark that lit the fire. I thought, “If I can make that work, maybe I can do this for a living.” From there, I dipped my toes in as a Mary Kay Cosmetics rep to learn the basics of skin care and application, but selling wasn’t my jam; it was the artistry that hooked me.
Fast-forward to 1998: I packed up and headed to Florida, chasing bigger dreams and ditching Pennsylvania winters. With no formal makeup school (and the internet still in its dial-up diapers), I was self-taught through pure grit. I’d scour yellow pages and early chat rooms to connect with photographers and models, offering free makeup for their portfolios. Trial and error was my teacher – back when everything was shot on film, and a bad take meant wasting a whole roll.
To perfect my skills, I worked on independent films, low to no budget music videos, and weddings (where I carved out a niche covering tattoos so brides could rock strapless gowns without a hitch).
By the early 2000s, I craved more film and TV action, so I made the leap to Los Angeles. I networked like my life depended on it, going to industry mixers, workshops, you name it. It paid off: suddenly I was on sets for movies, commercials, music videos, and TV shows, jetting coast-to-coast.
In 2013, Universal Studios Orlando hired me to do Special Effects (SFX) makeup for their Halloween Horror Nights (HHN). event That gig; creating gashes, bruises, zombies, and tons of scary makeups, opened doors to make me even more desirable for motion pictures. HHN became an annual tradition that’s still going strong.
Over 30 years in, I’ve built a resume that’s taken me everywhere from red carpets to horror fests, specializing in SFX, tattoo concealment, and that flawless, skin-like finish that makes talent feel unstoppable.
Today, I’m based in Florida (passport always ready!), freelancing for everything from high-profile productions to personal clients – weddings, proms, photoshoots.
The industry’s evolved with social media and AI tools, but my mantra stays the same: “Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.” It’s a little tip I picked up many, many years ago from my mentor and career coach, Crystal Wright, author of “The Hair Makeup & Fashion Styling Career Guide.” I credit my success to her support and motivation.
It’s all about adaptability, passion, and never stopping the learn. Grateful for every smudge and success – here’s to the next chapter!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh, not smooth at all – more like a rollercoaster with a few hairpin turns and unexpected detours! The glamour of the industry sells the dream, but behind the scenes, it’s been a masterclass in resilience.
Early on, the biggest hurdle was the hustle without a safety net. Financially, it was brutal: scraping by on sporadic gigs, dipping into savings for cosmetics and makeup brushes, and that gut-wrenching leap to LA where I landed with barely any network connections, wondering if I’d eat ramen or splurge on a $5 salad.
Rejection stung too. Networking events where I’d pitch myself to producers only to get polite nods and zero callbacks, or auditions for big films that ghosted me entirely.
Then there’s the freelance life: unpredictable schedules (hello, 3 a.m. calls for movie makeup), the emotional toll of last-minute cancellations, and navigating a male-dominated SFX world where I’d have to prove my chops twice over.
The pandemic hit like a brick wall, wiping out up-coming commercial productions overnight. Luckily, I had stocked away some savings that kept me afloat.
And lately, with social media flooding the market with “influencer artists”; many with less experience but willing to charge rock-bottom rates; it’s a constant battle to stand out amid the algorithm noise and price undercutting that devalues the craft.
But here’s the silver lining – those struggles sharpened my edge. They taught me to adapt on a dime, build genuine connections over flashy pitches, and treat every “no” as fuel for the next “yes.” It’s made me a better artist and a tougher human.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Diving into the details of my work? Buckle up—it’s a colorful palette of chaos and creativity!
At my core, I’m a freelance makeup artist with over three decades in the trenches, transforming faces for everything from blockbuster films and TV sets to red-carpet glamour, music videos, commercials, and intimate events like weddings and proms.
I travel across the state of Florida with tool-boxes converted into makeup cases, collaborating with production teams, photographers, and everyday clients who want that “effortless” glow. Whether it’s prepping a lead actor for a close-up or concealing a tattoo so a bride can rock her dream dress, it’s all about enhancing what’s already there and making people feel seen, confident, and camera-ready.
I specialize in on-set special effects (SFX) makeup. Think gory wounds, prosthetics, and eerie aging for horror flicks and theme park haunts like Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, which I’ve done annually since 2013.
Tattoo coverage is another sweet spot; I’ve got techniques that hold up under hot lights and HD scrutiny without cracking or creasing.
And don’t get me started on my go-to: that seamless, skin-like finish that looks like you woke up this way, but better.
I’m known for versatility, pivoting from zombie apocalypse vibes one day to bridal ethereal the next, and for being the artist who shows up prepared, no diva vibes, just results.
What I’m most proud of? Hands down, the longevity and the lives touched. Landing my first major film gig after years of hustling felt like validation, but watching a client – be it a nervous first-time actor or a tattooed bride – light up in the mirror? That’s the magic.
One standout: creating SFX vampire teeth on the spot at the director’s request for a zombie comedy film. My pat on the back for thinking outside of the box and being able to shift gears on the fly.
But really, it’s the resume of commercial projects and magazines to films and TV shows that’s got me grinning – proof that grit pays off.
What sets me apart? Experience meets empathy in a sea of filters and fast trends. I’m self-taught from the film-roll era, so I blend old-school techniques with today’s tech-savvy tweaks, no shortcuts, just reliable, tailored artistry that adapts to any skin tone, budget, or curveball.
In an industry flooded with quick TikTok pros, I bring the depth of 30+ years, the stories behind the brushes, and that unshakeable “let’s make this epic” energy.
What’s next?
The future? It’s like a blank canvas with endless shades waiting to be blended – exciting, a little unpredictable, and full of potential smudges that turn into masterpieces!
Short-term, I’m doubling down on what lights me up: ramping up those Florida statewide travels for more commercial gigs and television shows, while weaving in bridal seasons that keep the heart-centered work alive.
I’ve got my eye on collaborating with some up-and-coming directors, think fresh twists on classic scares, and maybe dipping into more live event makeup for conventions and festivals, where the energy’s electric and the crowds are my canvas.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stephaniemazzeo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniemazzeo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniemazzeomakeupartist
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemazzeo/
- Twitter: https://x.com/Steph_Mazzeo
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6245986/
