My time with the Women of Obama’s Cabinet.

I can’t stress enough how exciting a time it is to work in the Washington D.C. area! Sure it’s exciting in terms of the amazing and influential people one gets to meet throughout their time working here, but it’s also exciting in terms of not knowing what is on the schedule from one minute to the other. Those elements combined with random Presidential motorcades , having constant background checks to do makeup/hair on someone,and the obvious historical landmarks surrounding the entire area – one can’t help but be reminded just how amazing this city is.

Yesterday I had a scheduled photoshoot for a national publication that I have worked with a few time in the past. The topic of the photoshoot? The Women of Obama’s Cabinet. This shoot was very hard to pull off as President Elect Obama was actually in DC for the first time to have meetings with some of them on economic and domestic issues. Well, it what hard for that reason as well as the fact that they are major players in the Obama administration and definitely have their plates and schedules FULL.

I was assigned to go early to do makeup for a couple of the women involved in the photoshoot at a different location. They would be in the meeting with The President Elect right up until the time the photo would to be taken, not allowing them time to get ready on set.  I went over to the address I was given thinking I may be heading to their house or apartment. Approaching the building I got stopped by security asking if I was looking to enter. If not I would have to go across the street.  At this point, I realize I’m not at an apartment complex. From there it was X- Rays and Gates and Badges..Oh My!

Finally the wonderful woman who was orchestrating the scheduling came down to meet me and then brought me up to …
The Office of the President Elect.

Ok, really? You could have knocked me over with a feather when I saw the signs everywhere. It’s amazing how discreet and unassuming the place was outside, even with all the security. I mean, you just come to expect major security everywhere in DC these days. I worked on two amazing women who have recently been appointed to Obama’s Cabinet. I literally had 10-15 minutes to get them each made up, maximum. That time frame is a typical amount of time you have to do anything in the DC area. Everyone here has a very “go Go GO!” schedule and it’s impressive all the stuff that can get fit into one typical Capitol Hill day! For this job I had to pay special attention that the Cabinet members didn’t look like anything more than a normal and pulled together version of themselves and not someone looking to be a “starlet” going into the meeting. (Their words, not mine!) We created the perfect balance for the photoshoot as well as meeting and then the two Cabinet members went on their way to have my makeup work sit in front of Obama  meet with Mr. President Elect.

Disclaimer: Their meeting with Obama took precedence over getting hair and makeup done at the hotel so the only option was to have quick makeup done in one of the empty rooms at the building beforehand. The magazine provided the makeup and hair services and no one at their Administration paid out of pocket for these services. End Disclaimer.
Dang those potential rumor mills!

After leaving the building, I show up to the location of the photoshoot and continue to work with a couple of other amazing makeup/hair artists from my agency to finish five more Cabinet members makeup and hair. I have to say, it was such a pleasure to work with each and every one of these women. Everyone was so friendly in that room and obviously all got along and knew each other really well. In fact, I started to chuckle to myself when I caught on that they were not only in tune but many of them would finish each others sentences and speak in “code like talk” when sitting in makeup. Their conversations went something like this:

“You know that thing we were talking about with the…” (glance)

“With the other one?” (glance back)

“Yes, that one” (nod)

“Yes, I was thinking the same.” (both ponder)

“Well, I think that we should …” (pause)

“No, no, I totally get what you are saying.”

(Me *puzzled*)

 I was literally in awe of how everyone seemed so in sync with each other which HAS to be a good sign, right?

Disclaimer #2:  I’m a professional with respect for private conversations and I only state these types of conversations took place because it WAS so cryptic- and I found it kind of entertaining. Had an obvious topic been discussed it would not have been blogged about. Sorry guys, I’m a makeup blog editor, not the gossip one. Although, I can recommend you to a great celebrity site on the sidebar if you are looking for that sort of thing!
End Disclaimer.

So overall today was a fun yet hectic day, and sadly, there are no behind the scenes photo of this one. Due to the sensitivity of the topic, I hope you can understand why. I am so thankful to be a part of this inspiring photoshoot and look forward to watching more of the new Administration working together for our Country.