This episode is a conversation with Carl Ray, a Washington, D.C. based celebrity make-up artist, who has been in the beauty industry for over 20 years. Carl's prolific work is evidenced in his position as official make-up artist for former First Lady Michelle Obama since 2009.  Carl has also worked with a long roster of notable clientele including: Anna Wintour, Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman, Claire Danes, Diane Von Furstenberg, Debra Messing, Stella McCartney, Kerri Washington, Gabriel Union, Adrianna Lima, Allison Janey, Julia Child, Melinda Gates, Pricilla Chan Zuckerberg, Anna Nicole Smith, Nancy Pelosi, Queen Rana, Queen Noor, Sir Paul McCartney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Morgan Freeman, Lin - Manuel Miranda, Hugh Jackman, former President Bill Clinton, and former President Barack Obama.
The artistic style of the 'Carl Ray Way' is rooted in enhancing a woman’s natural beauty. He enjoys getting to know each individual woman so he can bring out her own personality. Carl prides himself on complimenting individual beauty, and his range of techniques allows him to deliver a natural glam, polished, clean, fresh, and beautiful look.
Carl has been voted “top make-up artist” by Washingtonian magazine since the inception of his career in Washington, DC in 1999 and is the go-to make-up artist for weddings. His work has appeared in the bridal magazine covers & pages of: Brides, Martha Stewart, Vogue, The Knot, Washingtonian Bride and Groom, Inside Weddings, Town and Country Weddings, Modern Luxury Brides, Engaged, Bridal Guide, Wedding Style, and Premiere Bride. Carl's work has appeared on and in the magazine covers & pages of Vogue, Glamour, Elle, In Style, Cosmopolitan, Allure, Ebony, Essence, Harper’s Bazaar, More, Ladies' Home Journal, Variety, Seventeen, Red Book, People and Time.