Tell us a little bit about how you first got into makeup, and about your journey to where you are today.?
Aga Kankanyan: I’ve always been interested in fashion and design, so studying fashion design at the Atex fashion center was a natural fit for me. While I was there, I had the opportunity to do the makeup for the models in our fashion shows. This was my first experience with makeup and I immediately fell in love with it. I loved the way that makeup could completely transform someone’s look and bring my fashion designs to life. From there, I started experimenting with makeup on my own and eventually decided to turn my passion into a career. That was the start of my journey as a makeup artist and I’ve been loving every moment of it ever since.
How did you start working with celebrities?
Aga Kankanyan: My first experience working with celebrities was with the duet of Kristine Pepelyan and Armenchik. I was asked to do Kristine’s makeup for a performance and decided to use a smokey eye technique. The response was overwhelmingly positive and the makeup became legendary. From there, word started to spread about my work and I started getting more and more opportunities to work with celebrities. It’s been an incredible journey and I feel grateful for every opportunity that has come my way.
Do you have any advice for any young person who wants to go into the field of professional makeup?
Aga Kankanyan: I always tell my students that the key to success in the field of professional makeup is hard work and self-motivation. There are no shortcuts to success, and the more you put in, the more you’ll get out of it. In addition to hard work, it’s also important to stay motivated and continue to develop your skills. As a makeup artist, you should always be looking for ways to improve and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques. With these things in mind, anyone can achieve great things in this field.
What are the three tools in your makeup kit that you can never, ever be without?
Aga Kankanyan: As someone who produces my own makeup accessories, I’m always sure to include all the must-have tools in my sets. There are a few tools that I can never be without, including a high-quality foundation brush, a set of makeup sponges, and a good pair of tweezers. These are the tools that I use on almost every job and I always make sure to have them with me. In addition to these essentials, I also like to have a wide range of other tools and products on hand to suit the specific needs of my clients.
How would you describe the “Aga Kankanyan” signature look?
Aga Kankanyan: I believe that all the looks I create are signature ones and are easily recognizable as my work. I take great pride in my attention to detail and the unique touches that I bring to every makeup application. When people see my work, they can immediately tell that it’s mine and that’s something that really makes me proud. I strive to create looks that are beautiful, timeless, and truly one-of-a-kind.”
Among all those awards you have won, which one meant the most to you & why?
Aga Kankanyan: I’ve been fortunate to have won a number of awards throughout my career, and while they are certainly an honour, the thing that means the most to me is the loyalty and love of my dear customers for two decades. Their support and appreciation is what has allowed me to grow and succeed as a makeup artist and it’s something that I will always be grateful for. Their loyalty and trust in my work is the greatest recognition I could ask for.
What was the biggest challenge when creating your first beauty products?
Aga Kankanyan: One of the biggest challenges when creating my first beauty products was figuring out how to translate my vision and high standards for quality into actual products. I have a lot of experience as a makeup artist and I knew exactly what I wanted in terms of performance and ingredients, but turning that into physical products was a new challenge for me. However, my experience in the industry and my strong understanding of what makes a high-quality beauty product helped make the process easier and allowed me to create products that I’m truly proud of.
Which product in your collection are you most proud of?
Aga Kankanyan: One of the products in my collection that I’m most proud of is my travel set of makeup brushes. It was a real challenge to create a set of brushes that were both high-quality and convenient to take on the go, but I’m really proud of the result. As a makeup artist, I know how important it is to have the right tools with you at all times and this set makes it easy to do that. It’s something that I’m really proud of and I know it’s something that my clients appreciate as well.
