We recently interviewed one of Marilee's favorite collaborators, the fabulous pinup, author, businesswoman, skin expert, and legendary hair and makeup artist, Cherry Dollface! She graciously answered some of our questions and shared some of her story with us, including details about some new projects!
You've been one of the best makeup and hair artists in the business for a long time. When did you become interested in vintage looks, the pinup style, and makeup and hair in particular?
Thank you! I always loved Vintage, even as a little girl. It was actually the big swing craze in the 90s that got me into doing vintage looks. At the time I was a little Goth punk kid and I felt really weird when I would go to swing dancing events. So I watched lots of old movies and started figuring out how they were doing their hair and make up. The Pinup stuff kind of seemed like a natural transition from that.
Your books and tutorials are amazing. Which of your works is your favorite, and why? What made you decide to make the jump to writing books and educating people on the subject?
Thank you again! You are going to give me an inflated ego. Ha ha. Honestly, right now my favorite piece of work is the memoir. I am about to put out at the end of the year because it is my current project and the closest to my heart. I think Dollface vintage one will always hold a special place in my heart as well since it was my first book and such a unique experience, creating something like that from nothing. My publisher was really hands off in the writing and creating so it was really up to me to come up with what that book was going to be. I was very proud of it, still am! I’ve always loved writing and I’m a huge book nerd, so it seemed like a transition that made sense from YouTube to books. I was actually in the process of writing my first book outline when my publisher approached me to ask me if I was interested in writing a book. It seemed like a sign from the universe that I was heading in the right direction.
What are your favorite types of hair/makeup projects? Do you have any favorite memories or interesting experiences you can share? Any specific projects you remember feeling were your best work, or just your favorite as far as results or experience?
My favorite hair and makeup projects are the ones where I can be the most creative. I love doing the basics like a basic cat eye and red lips or victory rolls… But once you’ve done them 1 million times, the creative process kind of loses a bit of its spark. I love when girls come to me and want to try something still in the Vintage realm but a little bit funky or Unconventional. I also love when women book shoots that are really meaningful. I have had Trans women book their shoot to out themselves to their friends and families or just to celebrate their womanhood. I had one woman book her shoot so she would have hot photos at her funeral. I’ve had women commemorate huge weight loss, big health hurdles, and milestone birthdays. It always feels like such a special thing to be able to be part of people’s lives in this way. My favorite part of hair and makeup has always been less about creating and more about connecting.
When it comes to makeup and hair, do you find it easier to work on yourself or other people? Is there a reason for this or do you think it's just a personal preference that varies from artist to artist?
Honestly, I have always found it much easier to work on myself. But definitely find it much more fulfilling to work on other people! I think it’s easier to work on myself because I’m so familiar with everything about me. My eye shape, my lips, my Hair texture… I have a little more hair on the left side than the right. It’s those little things that you learn about yourself that make styling a little extra easy.
Do you have any general tips for hair/makeup artists, aspiring artists, or anybody interested in improving their skills with vintage hair and makeup?
Practice! I’ve always told people that follow me that I am not a hair wizard. I really don’t feel like I have any skill above and beyond what any average person can do… What sets me apart is the amount of practice that I have had! I think it also takes an incredible amount of patience, which I find a lot of humans lack today because we get constant stimulation. It’s really hard to sit and focus on mastering one hairstyle when there’s New episodes of your favorite show to watch. I think patience and practice are my best 2 pieces of advice.
Can you tell us about how you happened to get into modeling?
By accident! It was 2004 and I was sitting in my Vintage truck at Viva Las Vegas to get out of the wind. The truck was red, my sweater was red, and the sucker I was sucking on was red. Photographer happened to snap a photo from across the lot that I had no idea was even being taken. A few months later, he contacted me and asked if they could publish it on the cover of a Hot Rod magazine. After that, it just kind of exploded!
You're an author, teacher, model, MUAH artist, and so much more. What is your favorite professional activity? Is there anything you love to do as part of your work, or as a personal hobby, that you feel is unexpected or unique given your other pursuits?
I’m also a licensed aesthetician and licensed electrologist. I have transitioned my work as cherry Dollface into my work as Skin by Cherokee. I no longer tour or really do hair and make up or model. My entire heart and passion is devoted to the work I do on my clients in my studio. I love making women feel Beautiful and confident in their skin and being able to do permanent hair removal on trans women and women with PCOS has been life-changing both for me and my clients. I took all of the feel good stuff that I got from doing hair and make up, and I turned it into a full-time career that keeps me at home.
Any current creative/professional projects, or projects on the horizon, that you'd like to discuss? Any blue sky/dream projects that might not be in the cards right now, but you'd love to set in motion someday?
Just continuing to focus on my work in my studio. Also getting excited to start pre-sales for my memoir. Also a sneaky little secret… I’m working with a lab to come out with a couple of skin care products. There’s always a fun new project in the works!
Thank you so much for giving us such a lovely look at your work, Cherry! For more on her books and businesses, check out:
