June 11, 2021
111ICONS: Monika Blunder
111ICONS: Monika Blunder
Images Credit: @monikablunder & @zaucke
From celebrity makeup artist to owner of her own clean makeup line, Monika Blunder has stormed the industry.
Monika moved to America at the age of 23 to pursue a career in the makeup industry. Today she has established herself as an in-demand artist, working with celebrities such as Amanda Seyfried, Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson, and Megan Fox. Her work has graced the pages of Vogue, InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, and GQ UK, where she worked with photographers Patrick Demarchelier, Mark Abrahams, Wayne Maser, and Norman Jean Roy.
111SKIN champions and celebrates game changers and innovators in leading industries. Each discussion uncovers the insight and knowledge into their individual approach and within the 111ICONS interview, we share their journey, business and approach to life.
111SKIN: HOW DID MAKEUP ARTISTRY START AS A CAREER FOR YOU?
Monika Blunder: I went to makeup school in Germany and began assisting artists there. I assisted Norbert Cheminal in Munich, one of the biggest makeup artists in Germany. During a difficult time in my early 20s, I moved to LA to be with my brother and started assisting makeup artists here. One of the biggest artists I worked with was Paul Starr, which eventually led me to some of my biggest clients, Rebecca Romijn and Molly Sims - they really helped launched my career. Another very important client was Vendela (one of the first supermodels), she helped me so much and introduced me to all the amazing photographers that I got to work with!
111SKIN: HAS ANYONE INSPIRED YOU AND SUPPORTED YOU AS YOU GREW TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?
Monika Blunder: Oh my goodness, so many people have inspired me! I’m so lucky to have some incredible women in my life. Someone who comes to mind is one of my clients, Jessica Alba. Her company, honestly, is so inspiring. I got to watch a strong woman build an extremely successful company from the ground up. Another inspiration is Sheena, the founder of Kosas - she’s helped me a lot in my own journey of creating a line.
111SKIN: CAREER HIGHLIGHT?
Monika Blunder: Sometimes it’s still crazy to think about the opportunities I’ve had, but I’m most grateful for working with so many amazing women like Amanda Seyfried, Megan Fox, Jen Garner, Jennifer Lawrence, Emilia Clarke, Rosie Huntington and so many more.
111SKIN: ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN THE INDUSTRY?
Monika Blunder: Get as much experience as you can! Work at a department store or makeup counter to learn the products and assist as much as you possibly can. You’ll create relationships that eventually turn into clients. Learn as much as you can, the more education you can have the better. One thing no one ever talks about is finances - I always try to teach my assistants to really pay attention to saving money. We are freelancers and we don’t get a normal paycheck, so it is so important to save for the hard times!
111SKIN: WHAT IS A TYPICAL “DAY IN THE LIFE” FOR YOU?
Monika Blunder: I’m a mother first, so I get my kids up and ready for school then I work out, listen to a good podcast and walk my pups. After a healthy breakfast, I work on Monika Blunder Beauty or have a client. I also do an ice bath 3x a week.
111SKIN: WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR NAMESAKE BRAND, MONIKA BLUNDER BEAUTY?
Monika Blunder: Growing up in Austria really influenced me, from the food I eat to the makeup I wear - It’s very clean and minimal. My parents always used local healing herbs like Arnica and Edelweiss and I’m so happy to have incorporated those into my products.
111SKIN: WHAT IS YOUR BRAND PHILOSOPHY?
Monika Blunder: First and foremost we do our best to be conscious all around. So we choose to use clean, vegan and conscious ingredients and we’re always striving to reduce our waste and carbon footprint. We believe in being honest and transparent. We create products that are effective, beautiful and intentional.
111SKIN: DO YOU HAVE ANY FITNESS OR WELLNESS HABITS INCORPORATED INTO YOUR ROUTINE?
Monika Blunder: Yes! Ice baths have really changed my life and I love running, CrossFit, yoga and walking.
111SKIN: HOW DID YOU DISCOVER 111SKIN?
Monika Blunder: It was sent to me, and I immediately fell in love! It’s hard to stand out with as many products as I’m sent and 111SKIN stood out from the start.
111SKIN: WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE 111SKIN PRODUCT & WHY?
Monika Blunder: The Y Theorem Bio Cellulose Facial Mask is my go-to when I want some really luxurious self-care. The Radiance Concentrate and the Rose Gold Radiance Booster are always in my pro kit, they give the skin such a beautiful and healthy glow and they’re a beautiful canvas for makeup. I don’t use primer, so I need my skincare to really be effective.
111SKIN: WHAT IS YOUR MORNING/ EVENING SKINCARE ROUTINE?
Monika Blunder: Keep it simple most days - I wash my face twice a day, in the mornings I use a serum and moisturizer with SPF and in the evening I tend to use retinol and face oils.
111SKIN: WHERE DO YOU SEE THE MAKE-UP ARTIST INDUSTRY HEADING/ GOING?
Monika Blunder: Oh man, you never really know do you? I think in the next few years there will be a boom with more people going out and productions starting again. But I think the internet will continue to influence what the makeup artistry industry looks like.
111SKIN: FUTURE GOALS/ ASPIRATIONS?
Monika Blunder: I’ve always wanted to move back to Europe and I’m so excited to travel again. I’d love to take a year off to really explore. I want to travel the world with my family!!!!
Images Credit: @monikablunder & @zaucke
Shop mask
From celebrity makeup artist to owner of her own clean makeup line, Monika Blunder has stormed the industry.
Monika moved to America at the age of 23 to pursue a career in the makeup industry. Today she has established herself as an in-demand artist, working with celebrities such as Amanda Seyfried, Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson, and Megan Fox. Her work has graced the pages of Vogue, InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, and GQ UK, where she worked with photographers Patrick Demarchelier, Mark Abrahams, Wayne Maser, and Norman Jean Roy.
111SKIN champions and celebrates game changers and innovators in leading industries. Each discussion uncovers the insight and knowledge into their individual approach and within the 111ICONS interview, we share their journey, business and approach to life.
111SKIN: HOW DID MAKEUP ARTISTRY START AS A CAREER FOR YOU?
Monika Blunder: I went to makeup school in Germany and began assisting artists there. I assisted Norbert Cheminal in Munich, one of the biggest makeup artists in Germany. During a difficult time in my early 20s, I moved to LA to be with my brother and started assisting makeup artists here. One of the biggest artists I worked with was Paul Starr, which eventually led me to some of my biggest clients, Rebecca Romijn and Molly Sims - they really helped launched my career. Another very important client was Vendela (one of the first supermodels), she helped me so much and introduced me to all the amazing photographers that I got to work with!
111SKIN: HAS ANYONE INSPIRED YOU AND SUPPORTED YOU AS YOU GREW TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?
Monika Blunder: Oh my goodness, so many people have inspired me! I’m so lucky to have some incredible women in my life. Someone who comes to mind is one of my clients, Jessica Alba. Her company, honestly, is so inspiring. I got to watch a strong woman build an extremely successful company from the ground up. Another inspiration is Sheena, the founder of Kosas - she’s helped me a lot in my own journey of creating a line.
111SKIN: CAREER HIGHLIGHT?
Monika Blunder: Sometimes it’s still crazy to think about the opportunities I’ve had, but I’m most grateful for working with so many amazing women like Amanda Seyfried, Megan Fox, Jen Garner, Jennifer Lawrence, Emilia Clarke, Rosie Huntington and so many more.
111SKIN: ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN THE INDUSTRY?
Monika Blunder: Get as much experience as you can! Work at a department store or makeup counter to learn the products and assist as much as you possibly can. You’ll create relationships that eventually turn into clients. Learn as much as you can, the more education you can have the better. One thing no one ever talks about is finances - I always try to teach my assistants to really pay attention to saving money. We are freelancers and we don’t get a normal paycheck, so it is so important to save for the hard times!
111SKIN: WHAT IS A TYPICAL “DAY IN THE LIFE” FOR YOU?
Monika Blunder: I’m a mother first, so I get my kids up and ready for school then I work out, listen to a good podcast and walk my pups. After a healthy breakfast, I work on Monika Blunder Beauty or have a client. I also do an ice bath 3x a week.
111SKIN: WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR NAMESAKE BRAND, MONIKA BLUNDER BEAUTY?
Monika Blunder: Growing up in Austria really influenced me, from the food I eat to the makeup I wear - It’s very clean and minimal. My parents always used local healing herbs like Arnica and Edelweiss and I’m so happy to have incorporated those into my products.
111SKIN: WHAT IS YOUR BRAND PHILOSOPHY?
Monika Blunder: First and foremost we do our best to be conscious all around. So we choose to use clean, vegan and conscious ingredients and we’re always striving to reduce our waste and carbon footprint. We believe in being honest and transparent. We create products that are effective, beautiful and intentional.
111SKIN: DO YOU HAVE ANY FITNESS OR WELLNESS HABITS INCORPORATED INTO YOUR ROUTINE?
Monika Blunder: Yes! Ice baths have really changed my life and I love running, CrossFit, yoga and walking.
111SKIN: HOW DID YOU DISCOVER 111SKIN?
Monika Blunder: It was sent to me, and I immediately fell in love! It’s hard to stand out with as many products as I’m sent and 111SKIN stood out from the start.
111SKIN: WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE 111SKIN PRODUCT & WHY?
Monika Blunder: The Y Theorem Bio Cellulose Facial Mask is my go-to when I want some really luxurious self-care. The Radiance Concentrate and the Rose Gold Radiance Booster are always in my pro kit, they give the skin such a beautiful and healthy glow and they’re a beautiful canvas for makeup. I don’t use primer, so I need my skincare to really be effective.
111SKIN: WHAT IS YOUR MORNING/ EVENING SKINCARE ROUTINE?
Monika Blunder: Keep it simple most days - I wash my face twice a day, in the mornings I use a serum and moisturizer with SPF and in the evening I tend to use retinol and face oils.
111SKIN: WHERE DO YOU SEE THE MAKE-UP ARTIST INDUSTRY HEADING/ GOING?
Monika Blunder: Oh man, you never really know do you? I think in the next few years there will be a boom with more people going out and productions starting again. But I think the internet will continue to influence what the makeup artistry industry looks like.
111SKIN: FUTURE GOALS/ ASPIRATIONS?
Monika Blunder: I’ve always wanted to move back to Europe and I’m so excited to travel again. I’d love to take a year off to really explore. I want to travel the world with my family!!!!
Images Credit: @monikablunder & @zaucke
SHOP MAsKs
If you were to advise a London guide, what would be on your list?
Well, As I grew up in Notting Hill, it will always have my heart and if I was recommending spots in London, a wander around Notting Hill would be high up on my list. From there it would be all the best shopping destinations, the iconic private members club, Annabels, Harrods and Liberty’s for any cute and unique gifts. I would always pop into 111CRYO at Harrods for the Cryo Facial and treatment for the ultimate recharge. Sometimes the city is great, but the beautiful secrets of the English countryside is something that should be experienced.
Your In-Flight Essentials?
I don’t have a routine per say and I am certainly not as thorough as Naomi Campbell but I would apply the Meso Infusion Lip Duo and I would always wipe my phone down with anti-bacterial wipes, in fact I do this every day, the bacteria build up is no good for the skin.
In terms of Industry, where do you see the hair industry going?
Well Instagram has changed so much and has impacted the way we consume and learn within the industry, especially with so many creatives, but I still find that a massive amount of people come to the professionals to share the knowledge on how to carry out or complete a desired look, more than ever there is power behind ‘how-to’ videos.
A very valid point and in terms of 2020?
In terms of what we are to see in 2020, things are going to be super creative and we will see a wider awareness for people doing their own thing and it will be expressive and artistic. People will move away from the overtly glamorous looks and will create looks they can tailor to their everyday. As it’s currently Award Season which is the busiest time of the year leading up to the Met Ball, hairstyles are certainly more elaborate, and everyone loves an up do. I would say the most timeless look has to be the blunt bob, it comes around year on year, but it is effortless and timeless.
Outside of hair, what other industries are you into?
I am hugely into Interiors and I would describe my style as 60s/70s glamour, think elaborate and dramatic but I often fantasise about 80s Dallas and Joan Collins and I have to reign myself in. I also love Baking; it is the ultimate way to relax and I find that it is my meditation and therapy. If I’m in the USA I would bake a lot of cookies as everyone is obsessed with then over here and in the UK, I would bake more traditional styles like a lemon tart or an apple tart – it allows for me to be creative outside of my job.
Finally, the best advice you have ever received?
It would have to be from my grandfather, he would often say to me “it’s not how well you’re doing but how well people think you’re doing”. I haven’t successfully implemented it however you can look to Instagram today and people see our work and are blown away by it, but we can be so hard on ourselves and not appreciate our own work ourselves.