We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Valerie Harvey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Valerie below.
Hi Valerie, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I think I get my resilience from my parents. Specifically my mother. My family is from Panama originally and I watched my immigrant parents build lives from the ground up in a new country and later on, my mother navigate life as a single mother of 4 and battle cancer for 15 years. I draw from their examples of strength everyday.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m Valerie Harvey, a passionate makeup artist and hair stylist with a wealth of experience spanning 18 years in the industry. Born in Panama City, Panama, my family immigrated to America, settling in south central during the 80s and 90s. These formative years shaped my worldview and instilled in me a tenacity to strive for greatness in everything I pursue.
As the proud founder of Mohawk Makeup, throughout my career, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work with esteemed studios and brands such as Netflix, Disney/ABC Family, E! Entertainment, Showtime, Starz, and HBO. Each project has allowed me to bring my artistic vision to life and deliver exceptional results. I’ve been privileged to produce and art direct beauty campaigns, assist in product development for makeup brands and act as a beauty influencer for brands.
I am also extremely passionate about social justice and have been a vocal advocate in this arena for decades. In the wake of the tragic events surrounding George Floyd, I felt a calling to make a difference. I began teaching diversity inclusion and equity, aiming to shape the narrative of inclusion for marginalized groups within the industry. It is my belief that everyone deserves equal representation and opportunities, and I am committed to being an advocate for positive change.
One of my ultimate goals is to open my own inclusive makeup and hair agency. I envision a space where individuals from all backgrounds feel welcomed, celebrated, and represented. This venture will not only be a testament to my skills as a makeup artist but also a platform for promoting diversity and inclusivity. Recognizing a gap in knowledge and experience with black hair in TV, film, and advertising, I have also taken the initiative to create and host hair classes. These classes address the lack of understanding in the industry and aim to bridge the gap, ensuring that black hair is properly represented and celebrated.
My journey as a makeup artist and hair stylist has been an incredible adventure, filled with creativity, growth, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. I am driven by my passion for art, my desire for inclusivity, and my dedication to shaping a more equitable industry. My goal has always been to inspire and mentor aspiring artists and be a catalyst for positive change in the world of beauty and entertainment.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Growing up in south central in the 80s to the early 2000s, I have always had the ability to turn having limited resources into a superpower. I learned to see and create beauty where others could not. I believe the very definition of creativity is finding elegant solutions to a problem or situation. Being raised as a Jehovah’s Witness provided me with a unique upbringing that shaped my worldview. Coming from that religiously insular community gave me a narrow perspective on the world. However, after leaving as an adult at 27, my eyes were opened to different experiences and I gained a newfound understanding of the vastness of the human experience. Freeing myself of black and white binary thinking created a shift in perspective which has allowed me to approach my art with a depth and richness that comes from embracing and celebrating diverse viewpoints.
Reflecting on my journey, I would advise newcomers to embrace the value of their own perspective and vision. In an industry that often feels exclusive and competitive, it’s crucial to remember that your unique voice and artistic vision are invaluable. Don’t be afraid to push the boundaries of your art, constantly challenging yourself to grow and evolve. The entertainment industry can be tough on one’s self-esteem and can feel as though only certain people are allowed to succeed. But someone once told me, there isn’t just one star in the sky. There is an infinite amount. Stay true to your path and yourself, keep honing your skills, and trust that you will find your place to shine among the countless others in this vast industry. There’s room for everyone!
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
Right now, I believe I’m in the same boat as many of my colleagues in the industry with the ongoing strikes. Things are really tough and work has declined but I am trying to use this time wisely by focusing on staying creative and busy through collaborations with other artists in my field, rest and healing. Although I am not in SAG or WGA I believe the strikes are some of the most important battles and exposés on the state of labor and corporate greed this decade. I’m fully supportive because I think it will shape the face of our industry for the benefit of the people who actual create the art going forward and will define what work looks like for every person in the film and TV industry. I’m hoping for a speedy and fair resolution.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mohawkmakeup.com
- Instagram: @mohawkmakep
- Linkedin: Valerie Harvey
Image Credits
Stan Evans Photos
