Q&A

GN: Your career has traced a remarkable path from Detroit to New York and now Los Angeles. How have these cities, each with its own distinct creative pulse, shaped your aesthetic and professional philosophy? 

EM: Each city has shaped me in its own way. Detroit is where I found my passion for makeup and it will always be the place where I started. New York City pushed that vision to expand. Surrounded by the most talented artists in the world, I absorbed everything. NYC challenged me to another level & allowed me to refine my craft. By the time I arrived in Los Angeles, I carried both the grit of Detroit and the boldness of New York. LA allowed me to step fully into who I am.  Exploring creativity without limits, and to unlock new ways to inspire myself being in Los Angeles. 

GN: You’ve spoken about your early fascination with film, art, music, and fashion. In what ways do these disciplines continue to inform your approach to makeup as a medium of visual storytelling?

EM: They each bring a different lens to how I see the world. Emotion, color, movement, culture & all of those elements play a part on how I approach my subject when I’m working. When I’m creating a look, I’m not just thinking about beauty. I’m thinking about the character’s energy, the rhythm of the moment, the visual language that connects people without a single word spoken. Art for me is about breaking rules and being free in that moment. These creative worlds are forever interconnected, constantly evolving and inspiring me. Makeup becomes a piece of a larger story & I love knowing that each time I pick up a brush, I’m helping bring that story to life.

GN: Apprenticing under an artist whose clientele included Aretha Franklin must have been formative. What lessons from that experience continue to influence your understanding of legacy, precision, and craft today? 

EM: I was incredibly fortunate to learn from the best so early on in my career. That environment taught me that makeup is far more than technique, it's respect for the person in your chair. Every detail matters. Every choice has intention. And I had a responsibility for whoever sat in front of me, whether they’re a global superstar or someone experiencing glam for the first time.That foundation of care continues to guide me today. One that celebrates individuality, empowers people, and leaves a lasting impression long after the makeup is removed.

GN: Your work is often described as editorial and cinematic imbued with restraint and emotion. How do you balance technical mastery with the intangible qualities that make an image feel alive?

EM: For me, the magic happens in the space between precision and emotion. Technical skill is the foundation , understanding light, texture, structure. but what truly brings an image to life is the story we’re all building together. I’m constantly inspired by the energy around me. The model, the wardrobe, the photographer’s vision, and the mood of the environment. My role is to help turn a concept into a character. Someone the model can step into and fully believe in. When that transformation happens, something shifts. The posing becomes instinctive, the eyes feel alive, and the image takes on its own pulse. When everyone on set is connected to the same narrative, the beauty becomes more than makeup, it becomes a moment you can feel.

GN: Having collaborated with figures such as Olivia Rodrigo, Mariah Carey, Alessandra Ambrosio, Daniel Craig, Jennifer Coolidge, Sydney Sweeney, and Hilary Swank, what have you observed about the relationship between personality and beauty? Does your creative process shift depending on the individual?

EM: My creative process is rooted in consistency. I show up with the same passion, focus, and attention to detail whether I’m working with a global icon or someone going out to dinner. What changes is the story we’re telling. Every client has a different energy, purpose, and environment they’re stepping into. Might be a red carpet, a performance or a photo shoot. My job is to translate who they are into a look that supports that moment. Working with such a diverse range of talent has taught me that beauty is personal. It’s shaped by confidence, individuality, and the way someone feels when you are working with them. When I take the time to understand what makes each person unique. The makeup becomes a reflection of their inner self. My role is to enhance what already exists and bring their best self forward. When they feel aligned with what I did that’s when the true beauty shines and that’s the most rewarding part of what I do.

GN: You’ve contributed to campaigns for some of the world’s most recognizable brands. How do you adapt your artistry to align with a brand’s visual language while maintaining your own creative integrity?

EM: Brands often seek me out because they connect with my aesthetic, but my work is always a collaboration. Most campaigns start with a creative brief or an inspiration board, which sets the vision and gives us a foundation to explore. From there, my role is to interpret that direction through my own eyes. Experimenting, adjusting, and pushing the look until it aligns perfectly with the brand’s identity. It’s about finding balance & staying true to my artistic voice while honoring the story the brand wants to tell. When both align, the result is impactful. 

GN: The modern beauty landscape moves at an extraordinary pace. How do you discern between fleeting trends and timeless aesthetics in your work?

EM: Keeping up with the pace of the modern beauty landscape excites me, it’s part of the thrill of what I do. Trends are constantly evolving, and paying attention to what’s happening allows me to stay informed, inspired, and innovative. At the same time, I focus on the core principles that make a look timeless & balanced. While trends might shift, the foundation of what makes someone feel confident and powerful never changes. The challenge is in blending the energy of the moment with techniques and aesthetics that have lasting impact. It keeps me curious, adaptable, and always on my toes. 

GN: Your artistry has appeared on runways in New York, Milan, and Paris. How does the energy of the runway differ from the precision of editorial work, and what does each setting reveal about your creative instincts?

EM: The runway and editorial worlds each demand a different kind of focus and energy. On the runway, everything happens in real time so the stakes are high, the audience is right there, and you have one moment to make an impact. It’s live, immediate, and exhilarating, and it pushes you to trust your instincts and deliver precision under pressure. Editorial work, on the other hand, is more like storytelling frame by frame. You have the time to experiment, refine, and take creative risks to craft the perfect image. It allows for exploration and imagination in a way the runway doesn’t always permit. Both environments reveal different sides of my creative instincts, the runway sharpens my decisiveness and focus, while editorial encourages playfulness, nuance, and narrative depth. Together, they keep me adaptable, inspired, and constantly evolving as an artist.

GN: As an Emmy-nominated artist, your work bridges the worlds of fashion, fine art, and film. Do you view makeup as a form of design, performance, or something more spiritual, a language of transformation?

EM: I see makeup as both a craft and a transformation. At its core, it’s my job.  A discipline that requires precision, skill, and dedication. But beyond that, it’s a form of transformation, a way to help someone step fully into a version of themselves, to tell a story, or to embody a vision. Makeup is like a visual dialogue between the artist and the person in the chair. It’s design, it’s performance, and yes, in its own way, it can even feel spiritual, because it has the power to shift perception, confidence, and energy. It’s both intentional craft and subtle magic, and that duality is what keeps me inspired. 

GN: You’ve built a portfolio that mirrors contemporary culture. How do you see the evolving dialogue between beauty and identity shaping the next generation of artists and audiences?

EM: We’re already witnessing a major shift in how beauty and identity are understood & it’s being led by a fearless new generation. They challenge norms, celebrate individuality, and move through trends at lightning speed. The pace is faster than when I began, and the influences are more expansive and diverse than ever before. With so much creativity happening simultaneously, it can be harder to define “the moment.” But that’s what makes this era so exciting. We’re surrounded by groundbreaking visuals and fresh perspectives every day, which continues to push artists to evolve and innovate. The dialogue between beauty and identity is no longer about fitting in, it’s about being seen. And I believe that shift will shape the next wave of artists into storytellers who embrace authenticity, representation, and self-expression in all its forms. It’s a thrilling time to be creating.

GN: Finally, when you look back at your journey, from Detroit’s beginnings to the global stage, what do you hope your body of work ultimately communicates about the power and purpose of beauty? 

EM: For me, the true power of beauty lies in never limiting yourself. When I began in Detroit, I spent a lot of time listening to what others thought I should do. But later, I realized that my purpose was to find my own voice and to trust my instincts, speak up for my vision, and create the kind of work that genuinely inspired me. Looking back, that has been the constant thread choosing courage over comfort, curiosity over fear, and creativity over expectation. I’m not afraid to try something new or take a risk, because every step forward has brought me closer to the artist I set out to become. If my body of work communicates anything, I hope it’s that beauty is a form of empowerment. It can give someone confidence, transform how they feel, and connect us through stories and emotion. 

GN: What does Goodnight mean to you ?

EM: When I think of Goodnight, I think of a movement that’s creating something new. To me, it represents friends and collaborators building a platform that shines a light on artists. It’s about asking thoughtful questions, celebrating creativity, and making sure voices are seen and heard. Goodnight is a space that encourages growth and inspires others to pursue their own dreams by seeing & reading these stories. Being a part of this magazine is uplifting & feels very meaningful. It’s a reminder that the work we create today has the power to spark someone’s dreams. Thank you for featuring me! 

Photos courtesy of photographer Mi