Amanda Balles

I am a Professional Makeup artist and licensed cosmetologist and am extremely passionate about my work. 

Since being terrified at the age of five by Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video, and watching the "Making of" special afterwards, I have wanted to do one thing professionally-To become a Makeup Artist.

After a year as a Theater Design and Producton Major, and learning little about Professsional Makeup Artistry, I chose to save my pennies for a year in order to attend Joe Blasco East in Orlando, FL.  With the knowledge and relationships I gained there, I ventured out into the world of Professional Make up Art, and continue to learn and grow each and every day.

With nothing more than a few brushes and pigment suspended in medium, I am able to allow my model to become someone, or something else.  To be able to give someone else the power of escaping the sometimes exhausting reality of everyday life through an artform so dear to my heart, is more fulfilling than any paycheck I could ever recieve.  I thrive on the happiness that putting my brush to a living canvas brings me, as well as the amazing relationships I have, and continue to create with the many people I meet through this career.

Although I have a special interest in effects and prosthetics work, I will always love and cherish the art of making someone look and feel their most beautiful. As I now broaden my "artistic horizon" so to speak, with a license in cosmetology, I have begun including hair work in my portfolio, and am willing to do work for prints as a hair artist. 

There is no job too big or bizarre for me to tackle.  When there is passion present, anything is possible.

For bookings or questions please contact me at

amanda.wido@yahoo.com